Shri Jitin Prasada, Minister of State for Commerce and Industry and Electronics and Information Technology, concluded his official visit to Morocco on August 24 to 25, 2026. During the visit, he held bilateral discussions with senior Moroccan ministers and officials and co-chaired the 7th session of the India-Morocco Joint Commission with Mr. Omar Hejira, the State Secretary for Industry and Trade in charge of Foreign Trade.
During the visit, Mr. Prasad participated in the Morocco-India Business Forum and interacted with representatives of the Indian industry. He visited IMACID, a joint venture between the OCP Group and Indian partners, to review cooperation in the phosphate and fertilizer sectors. The accompanying CII-led business delegation discussed trade prospects with local commercial and industrial organizations. This visit played a significant role in further strengthening the robust and mutually beneficial strategic partnership between India and Morocco.
India–Morocco Relations: 7th Joint Commission Meeting
At the 7th India-Morocco Joint Commission meeting, both countries agreed to give fresh impetus to bilateral economic and commercial ties and to explore new avenues for cooperation. Emphasis was placed on expanding collaboration in key sectors such as trade, investment, industry, fertilizers, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, energy, mining, digital transformation, and transport. Noting the bilateral trade of approximately USD 4 billion in 2025, both sides reiterated their commitment to diversifying trade and market access and working towards doubling bilateral trade over the next five years.
To boost trade, both countries identified sectors such as fertilizers and chemicals, minerals, machinery, electrical equipment, automobiles, construction materials, polymers, agri-food products, metals, and tourism. Additionally, an agreement was reached to ensure smooth and timely market access for Indian pharmaceutical companies and to address regulatory hurdles.
It was decided to constitute an India-Morocco Joint Working Group (JWG) to provide institutional strength to economic cooperation. This group will work on trade expansion, tariff and non-tariff barriers, and the feasibility of a potential preferential trade agreement. Both sides also emphasized strengthening the role of the Morocco-India Business Council and Chambers of Commerce and Industry, alongside enhancing trade fairs, investment forums, and private sector participation.
India and Morocco agreed to enhance cooperation in the agricultural sector, specifically in areas such as sustainable farming, food safety, digital agriculture, biotechnology, and agricultural research. Both sides welcomed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on food safety between ONSSA and FSSAI, which will facilitate the exchange of technical expertise, information, and best practices. Additionally, a cultural exchange programme for 2026–30 was signed, while the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2027 was viewed as an opportunity to strengthen people-to-people ties and cultural cooperation. Both countries also agreed to hold the 8th Joint Commission Meeting in New Delhi by mutual consent.
Morocco–India Business Forum: Priority Sectors for Investment and Cooperation
At the Morocco-India Business Forum organized by CGEM in Casablanca on August 24, 2026, Mr. Jitin Prasada emphasized the immense potential for strengthening trade and investment ties between the two nations. He invited Moroccan businesses to participate in India’s rapidly growing economy through investments, joint ventures, and long-term partnerships.
He highlighted sectors such as automotive and EV components, renewable energy and energy storage, artificial intelligence, startups, fintech, finance, fertilizers and chemicals, healthcare, and pharmaceuticals as key opportunities for collaboration. He stated that India’s strides towards becoming a globally integrated and modern economy—under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’—are opening up new opportunities for the Morocco-India trade and investment partnership.
Strengthening OCP–India Cooperation in Phosphates and Fertilisers
Shri Jitin Prasada reviewed the long-standing India-Morocco partnership in the phosphate and fertilizer sector by visiting IMACID (India-Morocco Phosphore), a joint venture between Morocco’s OCP Group and Indian partners. Both sides reiterated their commitment to further strengthening cooperation in this strategic sector. The OCP Group assured the continued supply of phosphates and fertilizers tailored to the needs of Indian agriculture. The visit underscored the importance of strengthening India’s fertilizer supply chain and enhancing bilateral cooperation.
High-Level Bilateral Talks on Trade, Investment & Digital Cooperation
Shri Jitin Prasada held bilateral meetings with senior ministers of Morocco. The discussions emphasized enhancing cooperation in trade, investment, industry, and digital transformation, particularly in artificial intelligence.
He interacted with members of the Indian business community in Morocco and highlighted their role in strengthening India-Morocco economic and people-to-people ties.
