Morocco Strengthens Market Ties with UK During London Visit
Speaking on behalf of Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Ben Coleman, the UK's Trade Envoy to Morocco and West Africa, described Morocco as a 'trusted partner' and said the relationship between the two countries stands at a promising turning point.
'The UK government is fully committed to taking our ties with Morocco further,' Coleman said. He welcomed the return of the event to the City, saying it comes at a time when both countries stand to gain from closer cooperation in finance and investment.
Coleman noted that Morocco and the UK share more than eight centuries of diplomatic and commercial ties. He recalled the first trade agreement signed in 1721 and said it laid the foundation for a relationship that has steadily grown since. 'We need to build on that heritage and keep moving forward,' he said.
Read also: Morocco's Southern Provinces: 'A New Green Growth Corridor to the UK'
The eighth edition of Morocco Capital Markets Days brings more than 34 Moroccan listed companies to London to meet with international investors, institutions, and market players. The event continues through Friday and forms part of Morocco Business Weeks, a broader initiative running in the UK from April 28 to May 9.
For Coleman, the significance of the gathering goes beyond finance. He sees it as an opportunity to bring business communities closer together, encourage investment, and unlock new avenues for joint projects.
'Our economies complement each other,' he said. 'We have the tools and the ambition to take this partnership to new levels.'
Coleman commended the pace of development in Morocco, particularly in infrastructure. He pointed to the expansion of the high-speed rail network as one example of Morocco's forward momentum, especially in view of the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which the country will co-host with Spain and Portugal.
Coleman also described Morocco as a natural bridge to the rest of the African continent. 'It offers a gateway to West Africa and beyond,' he said, stressing the strategic value of closer cooperation not just between governments, but among entrepreneurs and investors.
The conference, supported by Morocco's embassy in London, includes more than 160 one-on-one meetings between Moroccan companies and international investors. The Casablanca Stock Exchange, which co-organizes the event, sees it as a key step toward bringing Morocco's capital market closer to global platforms.
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