President of the Association of Moroccan Exporters (ASMEX), Hassan Sentissel El Idrissi has expressed worry about the language barrier, nuisance duties at ports and the lack of cooperation among companies in Africa and other impediments seriously drawing back business development on the continent.
He said, meanwhile, the vibrant business community in Morocco, being controlled by both public and private sector companies, has been adequately prepared to expand operations around the world, especially in Africa.
He mentioned that many of these companies who are producing sustainable products and creating jobs are willing to go into partnerships with companies operating outside Morocco.
The President, announced this when Executives of the Association hosted eight Ghanaian journalists at their headquarters in Casablanca who have been on a visit to Morocco as part of activities being carried out by the Journalists for Tourism Advocacy (JTA) to promote tourism and business development in both countries.
Essentially, the visit was to afford the Journalists improved understanding of business operations and opportunities in Morocco, as part of activities put together to promote tourism and business development in Morocco and Ghana.
The Journalists, led by Executive Director of Journalists For Tourism Advocacy (JTA) Zambaga Rufai Saminu, and a consultant to Moontouch Travel Limited, Dr Evans Duah, lauded ASMEX for making time to engage them in their activities.
Dr Duah highlighted a number of initiatives carried out by Ghana and Morocco primarily to promote trade and bilateral relations.
ASMEX Export Halal Club
Meanwhile, literature made available to the eight Ghanaian journalists who were at the head office of the ASMEX hinted that nearly a hundred Moroccan companies belonging to the Halal Club Associates, located in different regions of Morocco have been aiming at expanding their operations in Africa.
It said the Club, a work cell of the Association of Moroccan Exporters, particularly aims at developing new markets and expanding opportunities to its members targeting Halal markets.
According to the literature provided, the export Halal Club was gathering agribusiness companies, cosmetic and finance sectors to penetrate into the Halal world market with twenty-two per cent of the world’s population dependent on Halal.
In line with many initiatives adopted and being implemented to improve Halal production and export, the Club provides members with the requisite skills through knowledge sharing.
“Export Halal Club facilitates the sharing of information between members and organizing forums, developing business, connecting business to business, and also opening access to new markets”, the literature captured.
In terms of access to markets, Export Halal Club participates in international fairs, provides avenues for access to the niche market.
The promotion of Moroccan Halal Labels has been emphasized to contribute to its recognition among relevant institutions and associations in target countries whereas Export Halal Club was pushing for Moroccan small scale enterprises and cooperatives to be certified by Halal.
In addition, members have been sharing their experiences on exporting Halal goods and services to the international markets and developing partnerships with leading Institutions and Associations engaged in Halal.
Technically, the Club has also been organizing sessions for companies on Halal concepts and standards.
