From 30 March to 2 April, Foreign Minister Jorge Faurie will visit Morocco and Tunisia, where he will meet with national authorities in order to strengthen bilateral political relations, enhance scientific, technical, agro-industrial and cultural cooperation, and identify mutual opportunities to boost trade with both countries, with which Argentina records a trade surplus.
In the context of its strategy of intelligent insertion into the world, Argentina seeks to maintain regular high-level political contacts in order to foster initiatives in all areas of mutual interest, among which it prioritizes export diversification in the Maghreb, an area of enormous economic potential and with high demand for food and value-added products.
Argentina intends to strengthen the relationship with the Kingdom of Morocco by promoting cooperation projects in the field of agro-industry and technological innovation applied to food.
In addition, the Moroccan market offers opportunities for Argentine businesses as regards agricultural and industrial machinery, auto parts, and medical and dental equipment.
Exports to Morocco have increased steadily over the last two years and reached USD 509 million in 2017, a 38% increase vis-à-vis 2016. Argentina exports high-quality beef to the Royal Armed Forces, selling on average 7,000 tons per annum as a result of Moroccan procurement processes.
Furthermore, Argentina seeks to strengthen agro-industrial, scientific, technical, transitional justice, women's empowerment and sports cooperation with Tunisia.
Argentina and Tunisia have great cooperation opportunities in sectors and products with high potential for business, such as agricultural machinery, dairy products, sunflower and maize oil, renewable energies, the automotive and auto parts industry, logistics, medical supplies, the pharmaceutical industry, and electrical equipment.
It bears noting that the Republic of Tunisia has recently confirmed that it will open up its markets for Argentine exports of edible beef gelatin, queen bees and hides of ungulates.
Argentine exports to Tunisia have risen over the last three years and reached USD 135 million in 2017, a 7% increase vis-à-vis 2016.
Argentina and Tunisia share Technical Cooperation projects within the framework of the Argentine Fund for South-South and Triangular Cooperation (FO.AR), especially in the agro-industrial sector.
Press release No. 123/18