"We have significant production and engineering capacities that can be used to make Europe even more competitive, obviously by recovering some of what is done outside," Elalamy pointed out in an interview to Euronews (French edition).

Europe, he said, should not close in on itself, but rather have a slightly wider set of reliable partners in the long term with capacities capable of giving it this competitiveness which it will need.

"There has to be relocation. There has been a lot of relocation, in Asia in particular. Today, we are able to review this partnership together so that it is mutually beneficial," the minister noted, recalling in this regard the export by Morocco of masks to several European countries to meet the demand for this product.

Regarding the national response to the Coronavirus pandemic, Elalamy said "HM King Mohammed VI has made strong strategic decisions", starting with the very early closure of borders.

These decisions "have made it possible to take the death toll to 210 only, which is unfortunate but still very little compared to what we could have had," he added.

"We have had very clear instructions for the issue of supply. Morocco did not lack anything. Worlwide, we have been surprised to see empty shelves. It was not the case in Morocco, because we have put the necessary means at this level," he added.

He underlined in this regard  the ingenuity of economic stakeholders supervised by the relevant ministries to be able to meet prevention needs.

"We have produced masks and hydroalcoholic gel and set up an ethanolate plant in seven days. There was also the creation of very high level artificial respirators. We have transparently discovered a Moroccan youth with innovative capacities and very high engineering abilities, which encouraged us to support them even more," he said.

Commenting the Moroccan medical aid sent to several African countries, the minister explained that following the high instructions of HM the King, this operation was "carried out in record time".

"The decision of HM the King was to back 15 African countries in the first stage with substantial quantities of masks, gels, protective visors, hygiene caps, medical gowns and medicines, so as to protect populations", he explained.