Backgrounder

From the Prime Minister's Web Site (http://www.pm.gc.ca/)

---

Towards a Canada-Morocco Free Trade Agreement

January 27, 2011
Rabat, Morocco

The Harper Government is committed to creating jobs, promoting economic growth and opening new markets for farmers and businesses through trade liberalization. In keeping with this goal, Canada and Morocco have launched negotiations towards a free trade agreement.

Canada and Morocco already enjoy close economic relations and it is hoped that a free trade agreement will help increase trade between the two countries. A free trade agreement would also be the gateway to a deepened Canadian commercial presence in the Mediterranean region and North Africa.

Canada is pursuing a comprehensive free trade agreement that would cover a wide range of areas, including trade in goods and services, investment, and government procurement. An agreement would also deliver commercial benefits across a wide range of sectors, including the manufacturing, agriculture and agri-food, and service industries. In keeping with Canada's approach to free trade negotiations, Canada will seek provisions on the environment and labour cooperation.

Morocco is an important market for Canada. It has a population of more than 30 million and a growing economy, having experienced 5.6 per cent growth in gross domestic product in 2008 and 4.9 per cent in 2009. In 2009, bilateral merchandise trade totalled $513 million. Morocco is already an important export destination for Canadian merchandise exports, which were valued at $375 million in 2009.

---

The Prime Minister's Office - Communications
[Note: You are receiving this e-mail for information only, and because you have subscribed to our distribution list. To modify your subscription or to have your name removed from the list, go to: (http://www.pm.gc.ca/eng/subscribe.asp?login )]