Morocco-Philippines trade jumps 50% as envoy highlights diplomacy

Philippine Ambassador to Rabat, Leslie Baja, emphasised that the relationship between Morocco and the Philippines rests on a solid foundation ready for expansion in multiple strategic areas. He also noted the successful celebration of five decades of bilateral diplomacy last year.

Ambassador Baja described the journey of the two countries as rich, featuring high-level visits, numerous signed agreements, and strong people-to-people connections. He described these achievements as “the foundations for the next fifty years of cooperation.”

On the economic front, the diplomat noted a clear increase in bilateral trade in recent years, with a surge of approximately 50%. Despite this growth, he acknowledged that the current numbers still fall short of the expectations held by both Morocco and the Philippines.

Ambassador Baja pointed out that Morocco serves as a strategic gateway to both Africa and Europe, while the Philippines is an active member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). These complementary advantages, he argued, can drive deeper economic collaboration.

He highlighted promising opportunities in sectors like agro-industry, aeronautics, electronics, and textiles, while also noting that the Philippines is a significant importer of Moroccan phosphate.

Turning to regional cooperation, the ambassador commended the sectoral partnership agreement signed between Morocco and ASEAN in 2023. He believes this pact unlocks a wide range of collaboration areas at both bilateral and regional levels.

Regarding the Royal Atlantic Initiative, which aims to improve Sahelian states’ access to the Atlantic Ocean, Baja stated that this initiative strengthens African regional integration, similar to the ASEAN experience, and will bring positive economic, political, and social outcomes.

“Africa’s regional integration will certainly benefit the continent economically and even politically, making Africa more politically stable, economically resilient, and culturally prosperous,” he observed.

On Manila’s support for Morocco’s autonomy plan for the southern provinces, the ambassador recalled that during the 2022 visit of the Philippine foreign minister to Morocco, the Philippines described the Moroccan initiative as a “good basis” for resolving the dispute.

Ambassador Baja noted that United Nations Security Council Resolution 2797 represents a “game changer” in this matter, expressing hope that the political process will reach a conclusion.

He also reaffirmed his country’s support for the UN-led process aimed at reaching a final settlement.

Additionally, Baja discussed a new book dedicated to the history of Morocco-Philippines relations, scheduled for launch this Thursday. He explained that the publication aims to document half a century of cooperation and highlight how individuals from both countries have helped bring their peoples closer together.

The book, he added, is more than a collection of historical facts; it is a testament to the human connections that have solidified relations between the Kingdom of Morocco and the Republic of the Philippines.