Enhancing Economic Relations with Indonesia
Morocco is actively working to expand its economic presence in Southeast Asia, particularly through high-level discussions led by Secretary of State for Foreign Trade, Omar Hejira, in Jakarta. These meetings are part of an official visit aimed at bolstering trade and investment partnerships with Indonesia while also fostering cooperation with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The discussions, which took place on Friday, aimed to promote investment, ease market access, and create new avenues for Moroccan enterprises in one of the globe’s most rapidly developing economic regions.
The initiative aligns with Morocco’s Foreign Trade Program for 2025-2027 and highlights the ongoing momentum in Moroccan-Indonesian relations, showcasing a shared commitment to elevate bilateral economic collaboration.
Strengthening Business and Halal Certification Collaboration
In a significant meeting with the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN), Hejira highlighted the need for enhanced collaboration between the Moroccan and Indonesian business sectors, advocating for cross-investment opportunities and increased trade missions. This gathering brought together industry leaders and representatives from the private sectors of both nations, with Morocco’s Ambassador to Indonesia, Redouane Houssaini, also in attendance. The discussions delved into investment prospects across various strategic sectors, including agri-food, fertilizers, renewable energy, logistics, textiles, and pharmaceuticals.
During his address to Indonesian business leaders, Hejira underscored Morocco’s emerging role as a pivotal investment hub. He stated, “The Kingdom of Morocco, under the leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, has become a strategic platform for investment, production, and export to Africa and Europe, thanks to its distinctive geographical location, extensive trade agreements, and modern infrastructure.”
Furthermore, the Moroccan delegation engaged with officials from Indonesia’s Halal Products Guarantee Agency (BPJPH) to discuss the implementation of a mutual recognition agreement for halal certification. This agreement aims to facilitate access for Moroccan products into the Indonesian market while enhancing their competitiveness, especially in the agri-food, agricultural, and cosmetics sectors. A working visit to Morocco is planned for September 2026, where BPJPH officials will meet with representatives from the Moroccan private sector and the Moroccan Institute for Standardisation (IMANOR), which is responsible for issuing the Halal Morocco label. This collaboration is expected to strengthen coordination, promote the exchange of expertise, and deepen bilateral ties in halal certification.
Hejira also held discussions with ASEAN Deputy Secretary-General Satvinder Singh to explore ways to broaden economic and trade collaboration between Morocco and ASEAN, where Morocco is recognized as a sectoral dialogue partner. The conversations centered on investment promotion, trade development, regional value chains, the green economy, and logistics connectivity. These initiatives are designed to enhance trade between Morocco and ASEAN member states, leveraging the economic potential of a regional market comprised of nearly 700 million people while taking advantage of Morocco’s strategic position as a gateway to both Africa and Europe. Additionally, Morocco received an official invitation to participate in the Investment Summit hosted by the Philippines in November 2026, further solidifying its commitment to expanding economic relations in the region.
As reported by moroccoworldnews.com.
