Rabat: Under the leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, Morocco has undergone a profound transformation, strengthening its institutions and consolidating the rule of law, advances that have significantly enhanced the country’s economic attractiveness and enabled the Kingdom to emerge as a benchmark for stability and growth, according to Lord Henry Bellingham, a member of the UK’s House of Lords.
According to Agence Marocaine De Presse, the reforms undertaken under the leadership of King Mohammed VI have fundamentally strengthened Morocco’s political and economic foundations, Lord Bellingham said in an interview on the occasion of Throne Day celebrations. The influential member of the upper chamber of the British Parliament, who has held several ministerial positions, including Minister for Africa, noted that thanks to stronger governance and more robust institutions, Morocco has created a favorable investment climate while confidently expanding its international role. Today, he said, the Kingdom stands out as a leading strategic partner and a pillar of stability and balance in Africa and the Mediterranean region.
“I have had the opportunity to visit Morocco on several occasions. With every visit, I have witnessed remarkable progress,” Lord Bellingham said, adding that he has been particularly impressed by the strengthening of governance, which has greatly enhanced the country’s appeal to investors. Morocco now enjoys a stable economy and an exceptionally attractive environment for international investment, he continued, noting that many countries have developed thriving trade relations with the Kingdom, a country that is genuinely open for business, where contracts are honored, and where companies operate within a strong and reliable economic framework.
According to the British lawmaker, Morocco’s greatest strength lies in its institutional stability and commitment to the rule of law. In this regard, he highlighted the significant strides the Kingdom has made in strengthening governance at both the national and local levels, progress he said he came to fully appreciate while serving as Chairman of the Westminster Foundation for Democracy, an independent organization supported by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office that promotes democratic governance and institutional development around the world. He highlighted the relevance of His Majesty the King’s leadership as the guarantor of this virtuous evolution of the Kingdom.
Turning to UK-Morocco relations, Lord Bellingham said both countries are working to further deepen their cooperation, noting that bilateral trade is expected to double over the next four to five years, driven by the strategic partnership between the two nations. The House of Lords member also highlighted the political framework underpinning bilateral ties, recalling the United Kingdom’s support for Morocco’s Autonomy Plan as the basis for resolving the regional dispute over the Kingdom’s territorial integrity. “The United Kingdom supports Morocco’s Autonomy Plan as the most credible, viable and pragmatic basis for a lasting resolution,” he said.
Lord Bellingham stressed that there are numerous opportunities to expand and diversify economic cooperation beyond traditional sectors such as manufacturing, textiles, and food products. He also pointed to vast potential for collaboration in higher education, vocational training, and skills exchange, adding that tourism is experiencing exceptional growth as an important pillar of relations between the two countries. Lord Bellingham recalled that last year London and Rabat reached a new milestone by signing an Enhanced Strategic Partnership focusing, among other areas, on sports, infrastructure, and education.
He further noted that Morocco’s co-hosting of the 2030 FIFA World Cup presents a unique opportunity to strengthen and broaden economic cooperation between Morocco and the United Kingdom. Lord Bellingham also emphasized Morocco’s strategic position within Africa, describing the Kingdom as a genuine gateway to the African continent for British businesses.