The Saudi-Moroccan Business Council announced that it will launch a trade and business forum in the city of Tangier on the sidelines of the upcoming session of the High Joint Committee of the two governments in Rabat. Head of Saudi side of the council Mohammed Fahd al-Hammadi described the forum as an opportunity to present successful stories in the field of trade and investment between the two countries, and an opportunity to study the problems and obstacles that continue to hamper the promotion of trade and investment between them. Hammadi told Asharq Al-Awsat the most important topic discussed at the forum is the direct maritime transport between Saudi Arabia and Morocco, pointing out that the lack of a direct shipping line is one of the main obstacles in the growth of trade between the two countries. He pointed out that the Business Council invited the shipping agents in Saudi Arabia and Morocco to attend the forum in order to contribute to solving this issue. Hammadi revealed that a specialized committee within the framework of the Saudi-Moroccan Business Council is working on this issue in coordination with the Moroccan Ministry of Equipment, Transport and Logistics. The Tangier Business Forum will include an exhibition of investment opportunities in Morocco and will include seminars and meetings on the business climate and economic developments in both countries. Hammadi also pointed out that Moroccan-Saudi cooperation in Africa will be one of the main articles on the agenda of the business forum in Tangier. He said that the forum was a pioneer in creating a specialized team in bilateral cooperation between businessmen of the two countries in Africa, following the tour of the African continent by Morocco’s King Mohammed VI in 2016. The Saudi-Moroccan Business Council in Casablanca was held at the conclusion of a five-day visit by a Saudi business delegation, headed by Hammadi. During the visit, the Saudi delegation participated in the "Arab Parliamentary Economic Forum: For Building an Integrated Model for Regional Cooperation" in Rabat and the activities of the International Agriculture Fair in Meknes. It also held business meetings and special receptions during the Saudi delegations residence in Rabat, Meknes and Casablanca.