Japan-Morocco Relations

March 2009

Basic Data

Diplomatic Relations:: Established in 1956 with the recognition of Morocco's independence
Number of Residents:: Number of Japanese Nationals residing in Morocco: 335 (October 2008); Number of Moroccan Nationals residing in Japan: 363 (July 2007)
Trade with Japan:: Imports: U.S.$ 39.7 billion (2008) (automobiles, machinery); Exports: U.S.$ 19 billion (2008) (seafood, phosphate rock)
Direct Investment from Japan:: $U.S. 2.85 million (2006)
Japan's Economic Cooperation:: List of Exchange of Notes; Loans: 222.848 billion yen; Grants: 32.515 billion yen; Technical Cooperation: 30.148 billion yen

* Accumulative total as of the end of 2007

VIP Visits

From Japan to Morocco:

Year	Name
1991	His Imperial Highness Crown Prince Naruhito
1994	Vice Prime Minister, Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr. Hata
1996	Their Imperial Highnesses Prince and Princess Takamado
1997	Minister of Education Mr. Kosugi State Secretary for Foreign Affairs Mr. Koumura
1999	Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Mr. Nakagawa His Imperial Highness Prince Takamado Former Prime Minister Mr. Hashimoto
2000	Their Imperial Highness Prince and Princess Takamado
2001	Minister of Environment Ms. Kawaguchi Senior Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Uetake
2002	Minister of Internal Affairs and Communication Mr. Katayama
2003	Senior Vice-Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Mr. Ota
2004	Former Prime Minister Mr. Mori Senior Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Aisawa
2005	Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs Mr. Kawai
2006	Senior Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Kaneda
2008	Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs Mr. Nakayama

From Morocco to Japan:

Year	Name
2002	Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Mr. Benaissa
2003	His Royal Highness Prince Moulay Rachid
2005	Her Royal Highness Princess Lalla Salma, Crown Prince Moulay Hassan Her Royal Highnes Princess Lalla Amina (Nagano Special Olympic Games) Her Royal Highness Princess Lalla Salma (Expo Aichi "Morocco national day") His Majesty the King Mohamed IV (State guest invited by the Japanese Government)
2006	Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Mr. Benaissa
2008	Prime Minister Mr. El Fassi (TICAD IV)
2008	Minister of Industry, Trade and New Technologies Mr. Chami

Japan-Morocco Relationship

(1) DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS

Since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1956, having friendship between the Japanese Imperial Family and the Moroccan Royal Family, Japan and Morocco have steadily expanded excellent relationship in various fields, which is symbolized as the visit of His Majesty King Mohammed Ⅵ as a state guest to Japan. We look forward to continuing the bilateral dialogue in order to deepen mutual understanding and further exchanges.

(2) ECONOMIC RELATIONS

(a) Exports and Imports (2007)

Exports to Japan: $157.2 million (seafood, phosphate rock, etc.)
Imports from Japan: $523.3 million (automobile, machinery, etc.)

(b) Direct Investments (current US$) (millions)

2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007
0.80	1.24	0.39	1.36	2.85	7.15

(c) A JETRO business mission and a Japanese Study mission to North Africa on industrial investment climate visited Morocco in 2003 and 2006 respectively, looked into business environment in Morocco. Also, in cooperation with JETRO, UNIDO and JCCME (Japan Cooperation Center for the Middle East), the Embassy of Morocco in Japan hosts the Morocco business seminars every year in Tokyo as well as other local cities.

(d) The number of Japanese Tourists to Morocco has been around 20,000 in recent years.

(3) CULTRAL RELATIONS

(a) Every year, Morocan students are received as Japanese governmental scholars.

(b) Japanese teachers are sent to universities in Morocco.

(d) Various cultural events are organized by the Embassy of Japan in Morocco.

(4) Official Development Assistance (ODA)

(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 experinences 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 Programme for The Promotion of South-South Cooperation in Africa."

(5) RECENT MAJOR PROJECTS

Sewer Construction Project (2005 loan), The Global Electrification Program in Rural Area III (2005 loan), Settat-Marrakech Expressway Construction Project (2005 loan), Non-Project Grant Aid (2005), Cultural Grant Aid (Donation of acoustic, lighting and audiovisual instruments to the National Library of the Kingdom of Morocco) (2005), Watershed Management Project (2006 loan), Urban Areas Living Environment Improvement Project (2006 loan), Sewerage System Development Project (II) (2006 loan), Le projet d' amélioration des soins de santé maternelle en milieu rural (Phase II) (2006 grant), Grassroots Human Security Projects (11 projects).

Press Secretary's Press Conference on Morocco

Year	Month	Date
2006	April	4
2005	November	29

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