India, Morocco Set Target to Double Bilateral Trade Over Next Five Years

New Delhi, Aug 27 (KNN) India and Morocco have agreed to work towards doubling bilateral trade over the next five years and set up a Joint Working Group to examine opportunities for expanding trade and exploring a preferential trade agreement.

The decision was taken during the 7th India-Morocco Joint Commission meeting, co-chaired by Minister of State for Commerce and Industry and Electronics and Information Technology Jitin Prasada and Omar Hejira, Secretary of State in charge of Foreign Trade, Morocco.

Bilateral trade between India and Morocco stood at around USD 4 billion in 2025. The two sides discussed cooperation in areas including trade, investment, fertilisers, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, energy, mining, digital transformation and transport.

The proposed Joint Working Group will examine tariff and non-tariff barriers, market access and trade facilitation measures for goods and services.

India and Morocco also signed an MoU between Morocco's National Office of Food Safety and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India on cooperation in food safety. A Cultural Exchange Programme for 2026-2030 was also signed.

During his August 24-25 visit, Prasada participated in the Morocco-India Business Forum, held meetings with Moroccan ministers and business representatives, and visited India-Maroc Phosphore, a joint venture involving Morocco's OCP Group and Indian partners.

The two countries will mark 70 years of diplomatic relations in 2027. The next India-Morocco Joint Commission meeting will be held in New Delhi on a mutually agreed date.

(KNN Bureau)