A high-ranking Moroccan government delegation is set to head to Cairo early next week for the first meeting of the coordination and follow-up committee between the two countries. This meeting is expected to lead to the signing of new agreements and the enhancement of bilateral cooperation, particularly in the economic and trade sectors.
The delegation will be led by Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch and will include several ministers and officials from strategic sectors, including foreign affairs, agriculture, industry and trade, economy and finance, and investment, as well as culture and youth, along with representatives from public institutions and agencies.
This session, scheduled for Monday, is anticipated to culminate in the signing of approximately 16 agreements covering various fields, including diplomatic and commercial cooperation, customs procedure simplification, and investment development, as well as areas related to culture, youth, and sports, aimed at expanding partnership avenues between Rabat and Cairo.
This meeting comes as both countries seek to inject new momentum into their bilateral relations, with a particular focus on enhancing trade exchanges, which currently exhibit notable imbalances in favor of Egyptian exports.
Official data indicates that Morocco’s trade deficit with Egypt reached around $880 million in 2023, attributed to the surge in value of Egyptian exports compared to the limited scope of Moroccan exports, a trend that continued into 2024, reflecting the need to restore balance in exchanges between the two sides.
In this context, Foreign Affairs and African Cooperation Minister Nasser Bourita is expected to engage in talks with his Egyptian counterpart to discuss regional developments, particularly amid the tensions affecting the Middle East and their repercussions.
Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly will also participate in the committee’s work, alongside several government members, underscoring the significance of this meeting, which is expected to reshape bilateral cooperation and transition it towards more balanced and effective economic partnerships.
