Connecting Morocco and Mauritania to their Sahelian-African hinterland serves as a strategic lever for both continental and international trade,emphasized participants in the first Mauritania-Morocco Economic Parliamentary Forum held Friday and Saturday in Nouakchott.
The Nouakchott Declaration adopted by the two-day forum highlighted that the strategic and structural port and maritime transport infrastructures established by both countries—thanks to their advantageous geographic locations—represent a “promising lever for continental and international exchanges.”
In this regard,both sides expressed confidence in the two countries’ potential to become a production and distribution hub for the African continent,and their European neighborhood,and to stand as an Atlantic gateway toward the Americas.
They also underscored the region’s potential to emerge as a “space for shared prosperity and connectivity,” reflecting the deep bonds of blood,brotherhood,and neighborliness uniting the two fraternal peoples under the leadership of King Mohammed VI and President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani.
The Forum called for the optimal and sustainable exploitation of the rich fisheries resources of both countries through internationally competitive joint projects that can contribute to food security,generate foreign currency revenues,and create decent employment opportunities.
Participants also advocated for training fisheries professionals and encouraging them to pool their efforts through associations and cooperatives,given the role of civil society organizations in promoting inclusive and community-based agriculture.
Additionally,they recommended training sessions and field missions led by experts from both countries to promote the adoption of modern agricultural techniques,leverage research for development,and exchange expertise in veterinary medicine,especially in medicine usage,and disease control campaigns for livestock.
In matters of vocational training,the Forum called for greater access for professionals to institutes,training centers,and schools available in both countries,in a bid to develop skills and facilitate knowledge and technology transfer.
On the sidelines of the Forum,the Mauritanian President received the Speaker of the Moroccan Parliament’s Lower House Speaker
at an audience that discussed several topical issues.
The Mauritania-Morocco economic parliamentary forum was set up under an agreement signed in July 2022 by the two countries’ legislative bodies,creating an institutional platform for economic cooperation. The forum aims to foster dialogue among lawmakers,governments,and business stakeholders,while supporting sustainable development,strengthening regional integration,and providing legislative backing for bilateral projects.
Key priorities include encouraging investment in strategic sectors such as agriculture,fisheries,infrastructure,and vocational training,as well as promoting triangular cooperation with African and international partners.
Held alternately in Nouakchott and Rabat,the forum is seen as a new mechanism to deepen the longstanding political,economic,and cultural ties between Morocco and Mauritania,while putting in place a system to monitor and evaluate the results of its initiatives and agreements.
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