Business now has a direct negotiation platform. Kazakhstan and Morocco have held the first meeting of their joint Business Council, creating a dedicated mechanism to advance investment, industrial cooperation, and trade between companies from the two countries, DKNews.kz reports.
The meeting took place at the headquarters of the General Confederation of Moroccan Enterprises (CGEM) and brought together Kazakhstan’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Alibek Kuantyrov, CGEM President Mehdi Tazi, representatives of government agencies, development institutions, and businesses from both countries.
Morocco Offers Kazakhstan Access to African and European Markets
One of the central themes of the meeting was the geographic potential of the two countries.
Mehdi Tazi described Morocco as a country located at the crossroads of Africa, Europe, and the Arab world, noting that it can serve as a gateway to African and European markets.
Kazakhstan, in turn, provides Moroccan businesses with access to Central Asian markets.
This gives the Business Council a concrete task: connecting companies from two regions that until now had no permanent bilateral business platform.
Companies Identified Seven Areas for Cooperation
Participants discussed prospects for cooperation in agriculture, industry, logistics, fintech, and investment.
Tazi also highlighted fertilizers, infrastructure, energy, digital technologies, and artificial intelligence among the areas with the strongest potential for joint work.
The sides agreed to continue work in these sectors through specialized working groups.
This is intended to move the Council beyond a ceremonial format and turn it into a practical mechanism where companies can discuss specific industries and potential projects.
Kazakh Products Presented to Moroccan Businesses
A showcase of products made by Kazakh manufacturers was organized alongside the meeting.
Moroccan companies were able to review the range of products and assess opportunities for expanding trade ties.
Businesses from Kazakhstan and Morocco also presented their activities, as well as the investment and export potential of both countries.
Participants exchanged contacts for further negotiations.
Five Years From Opening an Embassy to Bringing a Business Delegation
Alibek Kuantyrov drew attention to the pace of bilateral engagement over recent years.
He noted that Kazakhstan opened its Embassy in Morocco only five years ago. This was followed by the first visit of Kazakhstan’s Foreign Minister to Morocco, then a visit by the Speaker of the Mazhilis, and now a representative business delegation accompanying the current visit.
Kuantyrov expressed confidence that the newly established Council would become a permanent channel for direct dialogue between Kazakh and Moroccan companies and contribute to attracting investment, developing industrial cooperation, and expanding trade.
Business Representatives From Both Countries Lead the Council
The new platform is co-chaired by Driss Benomar, Chairman of the CGEM Economic Committee, and Murat Karimsakov, Chairman of the Foreign Trade Chamber of Kazakhstan.
Kazakhstan’s Ambassador to Morocco Saulekul Sailaukyzy also took part in the meeting.
Kuantyrov separately met with Mehdi Tazi to discuss the role of business associations in strengthening direct ties between the two business communities and promoting joint projects.
For CGEM, the establishment of the Council also fits into its strategy of expanding partnerships with Central Asian markets.
First Meeting Is Intended to Become a Regular Platform
Following the inaugural session, Kazakhstan and Morocco confirmed their intention to use the Business Council on a regular basis.
The next measure of success will be how many of the identified sectors move from presentations and contact exchanges to negotiations on concrete projects.
The first step has already been taken: companies from Kazakhstan and Morocco now have a dedicated permanent platform for direct bilateral business dialogue.
