KARACHI: KCCI Morocco trade meeting was held at the Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry, where President Muhammad Rehan Hanif met Moroccan Ambassador Mohamed Karmoune.
Speaking during his visit to the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), the Moroccan envoy described trade between the two countries as “a little limited and a little shy,” stressing the need for collective efforts to enhance competitiveness at the global level.
The ambassador emphasized that responsibility for low trade volumes rests with business communities in both countries. He underlined that trade should become a key pillar of bilateral relations between the two brotherly nations.
The meeting was attended by Honorary Consul General of Morocco Mirza Ishtiaq Baig, President KCCI Muhammad Rehan Hanif, Senior Vice President Muhammad Raza, Vice President Muhammad Arif Lakhani, members of the KCCI Executive Committee, and representatives of the Pak–Morocco Business Council.
Highlighting opportunities for cooperation, Ambassador Karmoune said that Pakistan and Morocco possess strong potential in sectors such as renewable energy, green technology, tourism, and sustainable development. He noted that Morocco received 18 million tourists by November 2024 and continues to invest heavily in the tourism sector.
He further informed that Morocco will co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup with Spain and Portugal, an event expected to attract millions of international visitors. He expressed hope that more Pakistanis would visit Morocco not only for tourism but also for business-to-business engagements.
The ambassador urged Pakistan’s business community to explore Moroccan markets and capitalize on the kingdom’s strategic position and business-friendly environment. He highlighted Morocco’s leadership vision under King Mohammed VI, which has guided the country’s development across multiple sectors.
Honorary Consul General Mirza Ishtiaq Baig invited KCCI to send a business delegation to Morocco, noting that several Pakistani business delegations visit Morocco annually. He said trade promotion initiatives, including cultural and food festivals, have helped strengthen trade and people-to-people ties.
He revealed that bilateral trade between Pakistan and Morocco has reached approximately US$800 million, expressing optimism that it could soon cross the US$1 billion mark with continued collaboration. He also pointed out Africa’s potential as an under-explored market of nearly 1.5 billion people, adding that Morocco’s free trade agreements with Europe, Africa, and Türkiye offer Pakistani exporters a strong gateway to global markets.
Earlier, KCCI President Muhammad Rehan Hanif said that Morocco’s strategic location linking Africa, Europe, and the Middle East, combined with Pakistan’s economic position in South Asia, creates enormous scope for expanding bilateral trade, investment, and economic cooperation.
He emphasized that sectors such as textiles, pharmaceuticals, IT services, agriculture, renewable energy, mining, tourism, and logistics offer vast untapped potential. He reaffirmed KCCI’s support for Pakistan’s “Look Africa” policy and expressed readiness to work closely with the Moroccan Embassy to strengthen business ties.