"We have all been taken by surprise by the Covid-19 pandemic, during which the Moroccan economy has demonstrated its industrial response capacity in terms of innovation and responsiveness," said Elalamy at the opening of Morocco's Economic Week in Ireland, an event held in the form of webinar sessions open to economic operators from both countries.

"During this period, Morocco has produced masks, respirators, PCR sampling kits, and an all-Moroccan-made PCR test," he noted. The Kingdom has supplied several European countries that lacked masks, visors, and protective equipment, he added.

"Together, Europe and Morocco, we have discovered that we have a strong dependence in terms of imports, especially in the medical and paramedical field," Elalamy underlined.

According to the minister, the pandemic has accelerated "a mental evolution" in such a way that, like other countries, "this year we have achieved about five years of development in the digital field." This allows us to see the future differently.

"First, we realized that we can produce what we need, and to relocate at home several strategic activities in the medical and paramedical field," he said.

If the Moroccan economy has certainly suffered the pandemic, it has nevertheless cushioned the shock, except for the aerospace and tourism sectors, Elalamy explained.

"Our partners are accelerating investment in Morocco, which, long before the pandemic, has been a platform for production and export," thanks to its proven stability, its geostrategic position in the global trade, its proximity to Europe, and the competitiveness of its production costs, the minister said.

Elalamy also emphasized Morocco's resolve to decarbonize its entire industry through a strategy to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels by 52% by 2030.

Echoing him, Morocco's ambassador to Ireland Lahcen Mahraoui said it was time for the two countries to further develop their economic and industrial cooperation, capitalizing on existing trade agreements.

To support the momentum of this Economic Week, the diplomat suggested the establishment of a framework agreement for economic, industrial and commercial cooperation between the two countries, to create a legal basis for cooperation, identify priority sectors and capitalize on the opportunities available to investors on both sides.

For his part, Ireland's Minister of State for Trade Promotion, Digital and Company Regulation Robert Troy highlighted the relevance of this virtual meeting, expressing the hope to visit Morocco as soon as conditions allow.

He announced in this sense the opening, during the second half of the current year, of the Irish Embassy in Rabat and the appointment of an ambassador to Morocco, which reflects "the growing importance of Morocco as a trading partner and a gateway to West Africa."

"The opening of an embassy later this year will mark a new stage in our relationship," Troy said, adding that the mission of the chancery will be to strengthen Ireland's presence in Africa and help promote bilateral trade and investment.

"Investing in dynamic economies like Morocco is a priority for Ireland," he said, stressing the importance of building on the agreements between Morocco and the European Union to further strengthen relations between Rabat and Dublin. 

Held by Morocco's Embassy in Dublin, in collaboration with "Enterprise Ireland", the Irish Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and the Arab-Irish Chamber of Commerce, the event will be an opportunity to showcase the investment opportunities available in the Kingdom, in sectors such as agritech and agribusiness, the automotive industry, aviation, logistics, ports, renewable energies, Clean Tech, pharmaceuticals, health as well as digital and financial services.