Austria: Chairperson of the Foreign Affairs Committee notes that Morocco offers a positive and attractive investment climate

The Chairperson of the Foreign Affairs, National Defense, Islamic Affairs, and Moroccan Expatriates Committee, Rep. Nadia Bouaida paid a working visit on January 15-19 to Vienna, capital of Austria. During her visit, she met with a number of figures and officials, in order to examine ways to strengthen cooperation and to present and share the experience and expertise of both countries in areas of mutual interest.

Meeting with parliamentary officials

Rep. Nadia Bouaida met, at the headquarters of the Austrian Parliament, Mr. Nico Marchetti, an Austrian parliamentarian and Chairperson of the Austria-North Africa Friendship Group, in the presence of Ms. Monika Reiner, member of the Austrian People's Party, and Mr. Georg Strasser, member of the Austrian Parliament. On this occasion, Rep. Bouaida stressed the strength of bonds between the two friendly countries, especially since this year coincides with the 240th anniversary of the establishment of historical relations between the Kingdom of Morocco and the Republic of Austria, noting that the Foreign Affairs Committee is willing to pursue joint cooperation in order to solidify relations between the two Parliaments.

During this meeting, Rep. Bouaida highlighted the democratic choice adopted by the Kingdom of Morocco as one of the constitutional constants of the country. In the same respect, she presented the major projects launched under the enlightened leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may Allah glorify him, to implement the foundations of the social State. Besides, she noted that the Moroccan democratic experience, which is a model to follow in the African and Arab region, is getting stronger, which was reflected in the elections.  In the same vein, she explained the functioning of the Moroccan Parliament and the measures it has taken to promote participatory democracy.

Meeting with the Speaker of the National Council of the Republic of Austria

During the same visit, the Chairperson of the Foreign Affairs, National Defense, Islamic Affairs, and Moroccan Expatriates Committee also held talks with the Speaker of the Austrian National Council, Hon. Wolfgang Sobotka, in the presence of Mrs. Marie-Therese Irmges, representing the Federal Ministry of European and International Affairs, and then met with Mr. Florian FRAUSCHER, the Austrian Vice-Minister of Employment and Economy.  During these two meetings, Rep. Bouaida stressed that Morocco is open to the different democratic experiences of friendly and brotherly countries and extends its hand to a long-term joint cooperation, considering that Austria is one of the countries that enjoys a special position for Morocco.

Rep. Bouaida also reaffirmed her belief that cooperation between legislative institutions will be fruitful and serve the benefit of both peoples and countries.

In her statement, the Moroccan parliamentary official highlighted the pioneering position the Kingdom of Morocco occupies today at the continental and regional level as a country that has all the necessary conditions to be a destination for investment in all areas, thanks to its important infrastructure,  as well as the stability it enjoys and the positive political and social climate features, which has been recognized by several international organizations and bodies. Rep. Bouaida also noted that the Kingdom is a gateway for investment in Africa, and is a strategic partner to the European Union.  The Moroccan Representative added that all these factors can serve as an opportunity to strengthen bilateral relations between Morocco and Austria, as well as to establish three-dimensional relations with sub-Saharan African countries.

Moreover, Rep. Bouaida also highlighted the measures taken by the Kingdom of Morocco to encourage investment and improve its attractiveness, reviewing the measures adopted by the Government in this regard. Additionally, she shed light on the major reforms launched in the Kingdom of Morocco, among others, in the economic field, which have had a positive impact on improving the macroeconomic situation of the country and increasing the openness and competitiveness of the national economy on the international market, notably thanks to bilateral and multilateral cooperation and free trade agreements that unite the Kingdom of Morocco closer with its partners in different continents, and promote free initiative by adopting a decentralized management of investment within the framework of the advanced regionalization that the Kingdom of Morocco has begun to implement on the ground, in application of the high royal directives.

Meeting with the President of the International Institute for Peace in Vienna

At the end of the meetings she held as part of her working visit to the Republic of Austria, Rep. Bouaida held talks with the President of the International Institute for Peace in Vienna, Mr. Hannes Swoboda. The meeting was an opportunity to learn about the Institute's efforts to consolidate the foundations of peace between peoples, given that the Kingdom of Morocco is a model of tolerance, freedom, and coexistence.

Rep. Nadia Bouaida was accompanied by the Ambassador of His Majesty to the Republic of Austria, H.E. Azzeddine Farhane.

It should be noted that the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Rachid Talbi El Alami paid a working visit to the Republic of Austria on December 14-17, 2022, at the invitation of his counterpart, the Speaker of the Austrian National Council Hon. Wolfgang Sobotka.