Ottawa -The Moroccan ambassador to Canada, Souriya Otmani, highlighted, Wednesday in Ottawa, the importance of trade as a lever for socio-economic development.
Speaking during the presentation of the results of a Canadian project on the role of women in trade for inclusive and sustainable growth, the ambassador noted that the majority of developing countries benefiting from this initiative are African, including half in sub-Saharan Africa, adding that the aim is to improve economic well-being and help address the specific challenges that women exporters face.
These initiatives are in line with the vision of HM King Mohammed VI in favor of a renewed approach towards the African continent through mutually beneficial partnerships, affirmed the diplomat.
Ms. Otmani noted that this project, funded by the Canadian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, contributed to strengthening the capacities and broadening the horizons of Moroccan women entrepreneurs in the field of international trade.
Some 133 Moroccan small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), including 66 led by women, particularly in the agri-food sector, were trained in exporting, and 89 SMEs, including 33 led by women, participated in trade missions. abroad, said the ambassador.
“This was a first decisive step towards successful integration in international trade,” welcomed the diplomat, noting that the Moroccan-Canadian partnership within the framework of this project illustrates the efforts aimed at facilitating access to new markets. Canadians and strengthen the competitiveness of Moroccan SMEs, particularly those run by women, on a global scale.
This project embodies values of solidarity and cooperation for inclusive growth, she noted.
The event was marked by the presence of several Canadian officials, including the Minister of International Development, Ahmed Hussein, and the Director General of the Office of Trade Facilitation of Canada, Steven Tipman.
Several other speakers spoke on this occasion in particular about ways to improve gender equality and promote social inclusion, to adapt to climate change to ensure sustainable trade and to develop cooperation between Canadian businesses and SMEs in developing countries.
The “Women in Commerce for Inclusive and Sustainable Growth” Project, which aims to facilitate access to Canadian and international markets for SMEs in 23 countries, was implemented in Morocco as part of a partnership between the Canadian Trade Facilitation Office and the Moroccan Association of Exporters.
According to its initiators, the project also aims to strengthen the representativeness and participation of women in decision-making within trade support institutions.
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