Yabiladi | 12 January 2021

Israel plans a free trade agreement with Morocco, Amir Peretz says

by Latifa Babas

Israel aspires to sign a free trade agreement with Morocco, Israeli Minister of Economy Amir Peretz said. The move comes as the two countries decided, in December, to resume diplomatic ties with the upcoming opening of liaison offices in Rabat and Tel Aviv.

Interviewed, Tuesday, by Moroccan newspaper L’Economiste, the minister said that the signing of a free trade agreement with Morocco is a «major objective», and announced the creation by Israel of an ad hoc team.

The Israeli Minister of Economy insisted on the investment opportunities that are presented to Israel in Morocco in areas such as artificial intelligence, agriculture or water management, while in reverse, he referred to the Moroccan experience in the automotive sector.

Peretz’s statements are yet another indication of Israel’s desire to move swiftly into a new relationship with Morocco. Moreover, the name of the next director of the Israeli liaison office in Rabat has already been announced: David Govrin, former ambassador to Egypt.