The Türkiye-Morocco Business and Investment Forum brought together key representatives from both countries' business communities, providing a platform to discuss the future of bilateral trade, investment, and economic cooperation. Co-hosted by the Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEIK) and the General Confederation of Moroccan Enterprises (CGEM), the event opened with remarks from Türkiye's Trade Minister Ömer Bolat.
Emphasizing the significance of the Türkiye-Morocco Free Trade Agreement, Minister Bolat noted, “In the 18 years since the agreement entered into force, Moroccan exports to Türkiye have increased ninefold, while Türkiye's exports to Morocco have risen eightfold. As of 2024, the bilateral trade volume has reached USD 5 billion."
Minister Bolat also underscored the crucial role of investments in strengthening economic ties: “We should not hesitate to invest; as investments grow, trade accelerates as well. Today, around 200 Turkish investors in Morocco contribute roughly USD 1 billion to the country's economy. This forum serves as an important platform for Turkish and Moroccan businesspeople to explore new opportunities in investment and trade."
Following Minister Bolat's address, Morocco's Secretary of State in Charge of Foreign Trade Omar Hejira and Morocco's Ambassador to Ankara Mohammed Ali Lazreq expressed their enthusiasm for further deepening cooperation, highlighting the mutual desire to boost commercial exchange, ensure trade balance, and advance economic collaboration based on win-win principles.
During the forum, Investment and Finance Office Vice President Furkan Karayaka delivered a presentation titled “Why Invest in Türkiye", outlining Türkiye's position as the nexus of the world. Karayaka highlighted the country's dynamic business ecosystem across multiple sectors and emphasized that Türkiye is the world's 12th largest economy, with an average growth rate of 5.3 percent between 2002 and 2024—making it an increasingly attractive destination for international investors.