Japan-Morocco Relations (Basic Data)

March 2013

Basic Data

Diplomatic Relations:: Established in 1956 with the recognition of Morocco's independence; 1961 Japanese Embassy opened in Morocco; 1965 Moroccan Embassy opened in Japan
Bilateral Treaties and Agreement:: 1960 Trading Arrangement; 1985 Fisheries Agreement
Number of Residents:: Number of Japanese Nationals residing in Morocco: 379 (October 2011); Number of Moroccan Nationals residing in Japan: 470 (December 2012)
Economic Relations
Trade with Japan:: Imports from Japan : U.S.$ 419 million (2011) (automobiles, machinery); Exports to Japan : U.S.$ 147 million (2011) (seafood, phosphate rock)
Other Economic Relations:: "JETRO business mission" and "Japanese Study mission to North Africa on industrial investment climate" visited Morocco in 2003, 2006 and 2011 respectively, looked into business environment in Morocco. Also, the Moroccan Embassy in Japan hosts the Morocco business seminars approximately every year in Tokyo as well as other local cities, in cooperation with the JETRO (the Japan External Trade Organization), the UNIDO and the JCCME (the Japan Cooperation Center for the Middle East). In addition, the Moroccan representative delegation led by the Minister of Energy, Mine Water and Environment had attended the 2nd Japan-Arab Economic Forums in December 2010 and appealed for cooperation with Japan regarding the promotion of using solar energy as a generation system.
Japan's Economic Cooperation:: List of Exchange of Notes; Loans: 270.211 billion yen; Grants: 33.987 billion yen; Technical Cooperation: 32.424 billion yen
(note) Accumulative total as of the end of 2011; (a) Japan has provided support in the form of loan aid, grant aid and technical cooperation in the fields of local development and environment for managing infrastructure, narrowing the economic and social difference between urban and local areas, and developing water resource in order to promote major industries, fishery and agriculture, and secure water for agriculture and drinking.; (b) Morocco has many experiences in South-South Cooperation toward African nations in such fields as fishery and road rehabilitation. In September 2003, to promote Japanese technical cooperation towards the southern African nations, Japan and Morocco signed a framework document regarding the "Japan-Morocco Triangular Technical Cooperation Program for The Promotion of South-South Cooperation in Africa."; (c) Recent Major Projects:
Watershed Management Project (2006 loan), Urban Areas Living Environment Improvement Project (2006 loan), Sewerage System Development Project (II) (2006 loan), Le projet d' amelioration des soins de santé maternelle en milieu rural (Phase II) (2006 grant), Flood-Control Equipment management Project (2007 grant), Local Road Development Project (2007 loan), Local Water Supply Project (2007 loan), Clean Energy with Solar System Introduction Project (2009 grant), Local City Water Supply Development Project ( 2009 loan), Mediterranean Highway Construction Project ( 2009 loan) Project for Flood Forecasting and Warning System in High Atlas Area (2010 grant), Rural Road Improvement Project (II) (2011 loan), Fez and Meknes Regions Water Supply Project (2011 loan)
Cultural Exchange:: (a) Receiving Moroccan students to study in Japan as Japanese governmental scholars every year; (b) Senior volunteers from JICA teach Japanese language in several institutes including Mohammad V University.; (c) Cultural grants are provided upon requests.; (d) In 2006, various cultural events were held in both Japan and Morocco to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between two countries.
Friendship League:: Japan-Morocco Parliamentary Friendship League; Morocco-Japan Parliamentary Friendship League; Japan-Morocco Association; Morocco-Japan Friendship Association

VIP Visits

From Japan to Morocco (from 2003):

Year	Name
2003	Senior Vice-Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Seiichi Ota
2004	Former Prime Minister, Yoshiro Mori Senior Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ichiro Aisawa
2006	Senior Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs, Katsutoshi Kaneda
2009	State Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Koichi Takemasa　 Vice President of the House of Councillors,Akiko Santo
2010	Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Yasue Funayama
2012	Minister of Foreign Affairs, Koichiro Gemba Parliamentay Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, Kazuyuki Hamada

From Morocco to Japan (from 2003):

Year	Name
2003	His Royal Highness Prince Moulay Rachid
2004	Minister of External Commerce, Mustapha Mechahouri
2005	Her Royal Highness Princess Lalla Salma, Crown Prince Moulay Hassan Her Royal Highnes Princess Lalla Amina Minister of Finance and Economy, Fathallah Oualalou His Majesty the King Mohamed VI (State visite: November)
2006	Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Sea Fisheries, Mohamed Laenser Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Mohamed Benaissa Minister for Public Sector Modernization, Mohammed Boussaïd
2008	Prime Minister, Abbas El Fassi (TICAD IV)
2008	Minister of Industry, Trade and New Technologies, Ahmed Reda Chami Minister of Energy, Mine, Water and Environment, Amina Benkhadra
2010	Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Maritime Fisheries, Aziz Akhenouch
2012	Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Saad Dine El Otmani Minister of Economy and Finance, Nizar Baraka

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