The Minister of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development, Water, and Forests (MAPMDREF), Mohammed Sadiki, received his Nigerian counterpart, Adegboyega Oyetola, Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, on July 29 in Rabat. Oyetola is on a working visit to Morocco, leading a high-level delegation.
This visit is part of the ongoing consultation and coordination between the Kingdom of Morocco and the Federal Republic of Nigeria. It aims to strengthen bilateral relations in the fisheries sector and blue economy, explore new opportunities for cooperation, and encourage mutual investments.
Bilateral Meeting to Strengthen Fisheries Cooperation
During this meeting, the two Ministers praised the exceptional quality of the cooperative relations between the Kingdom of Morocco and the Federal Republic of Nigeria, guided by His Majesty King Mohammed VI, May God Assist Him, and His Excellency Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Adekunle Tinubu, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Discussions focused on several strategic axes in the fisheries sector, with a particular emphasis on the common desire to enhance cooperation. Priority areas include aquaculture, fisheries scientific research, and the seafood processing industry. The training of seafarers, maritime rescue, and combating IUU fishing were also discussed, along with the marketing of seafood products and the development of port infrastructure, with expertise sharing between the two countries.
Visit to Tanger Med Port
Following the bilateral meeting, the Nigerian delegation traveled to Tangier to visit the Tanger Med industrial-port complex, recently ranked among the world’s top 20 container ports. This visit highlighted Morocco’s success in port logistics and industrial innovation.
Delegation members explored Tanger Med facilities, learning about the latest advances in maritime transport. They were informed about the reception of the first high-capacity methanol-powered vessel, marking a crucial step in maritime transport decarbonization. Additionally, they visited the vehicle terminal of the port complex, which processed over 570,000 new vehicles in 2023, nearly 520,000 of which were produced in Morocco and destined for export.
Visit to the Digitalized Fish Market in Tangier
The Nigerian delegation then visited the digitalized fish market in Tangier to witness a demonstration of digitalized fish product auctions, an innovative initiative within the ONP modernization process. This new procedure aims to enhance the value of fish products, improve the reliability and speed of commercial transactions, and optimize the sales process management.
Delegation members observed how this new mechanism allows buyers to participate in sales smoothly, anonymously, and digitally, thanks to the modernization of sales managers’ tools and the introduction of recent technologies. This evolution is a key step toward future improvements, including remote sales.
Upcoming Visits to Dakhla and Agadir
During their 8-day stay, the Nigerian delegation, led by the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, will continue a program of visits to several major projects across the Kingdom, notably in the cities of Dakhla, Agadir, Casablanca, and Bouznika. These visits will strengthen the exchange of know-how and strategic partnerships between the two countries while highlighting Morocco’s efforts in sustainable and inclusive development.
Source: Les inspirations éco
