Atlanta conference with Morocco is a symbol of successful diplomacy, business ties

By Amb. Rachad Bouhlal and Rep. Hank Johnson (D-Ga.)

Good friends make good business partners, and nothing could be truer of the U.S.’s – and Georgia’s – strong trade relationship with the Kingdom of Morocco.

The first Coca-Cola bottling machines introduced on Moroccan soil came from U.S. Navy ships in 1947 serving American soldiers stationed in Tangier after World War II. Morocco was a strong U.S. ally during that war and hosted the famed Casablanca Conference, where President Franklin D. Roosevelt and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill agreed on the allied strategy to defeat the Axis forces. And as the U.S.’s post-war engagement with Morocco continued, the business spread across the country. Today, more than 70,000 jobs are associated with Coca Cola’s presence in Morocco. Moreover, the state of Georgia is the 7th biggest U.S. exporter to Morocco, averaging over $88 million in exports annually since 2010.

Other Georgia companies such as AGCO, Georgia-Pacific, and Newell Rubbermaid are also present in Morocco, through distribution channels that cover the country.

That’s why we are thrilled that Atlanta is hosting the second U.S.-Morocco Trade and Investment Forum today, Oct, 13, , allowing business leaders and government officials from our two countries to meet, network and explore mutual trade and investment opportunities.

Those opportunities are vast. Since 2006, U.S. exports to Morocco have increased in value by 151 percent and Moroccan exports to the U.S. have increased by 90 percent.

More than 100 U.S. companies across a range of industries including agribusiness (Cargill), technology (Microsoft), defense (General Dynamics), aerospace (Boeing), banking (CitiGroup), and engineering (Jacobs), are active in Morocco. With the opening of Casablanca Finance City, Morocco now has a fully serviced hub for doing business in Africa, yet another reason why U.S. companies are establishing a presence there.

This strong trade relationship is almost as old as the U.S. itself. The 1786 U.S. Treaty of Friendship and Commerce with Morocco remains in force today and is the longest unbroken treaty in American history. The U.S.-Morocco relationship was strengthened by two Millennium Challenge Compacts (MCC), the first of which in 2007 was the largest ever awarded at the time.

In 2012, under the leadership of President Barack Obama and King Mohammed VI, Morocco became the first Arab and African country to enter into a strategic dialogue with the U.S. Morocco continues to work with the U.S. and the international community on key shared issues, providing leadership in international efforts to counter violent extremism, hosting global conferences on the environment and climate change, and offering support to eliminate racism and human trafficking.

Morocco, which in 1777 became the first country to recognize the newly independent United States, stands with its friend today to consolidate partnerships that will endure and expand to enhance prosperity, stability and peace throughout the region.

The Atlanta forum is an excellent example of what happens when two political allies deepen their relationship through business and economic ties that directly affect our citizens and benefit communities in both our countries.

Bouhlal is Morocco's ambassador to the U.S. Johnson has represented Georgia’s 4th Congressional District since 2007. He sits on the Armed Services and the Judiciary committees.