Rabat, October 04, 2022, SPA -- Dr. Majid bin Abdullah Al-Qasabi, Minister of Commerce and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the General Authority for Foreign Trade, affirmed that the Kingdom is the first trading partner of Morocco among the Arab countries, with a trade exchange volume of more than SAR5 billion during 2021, with an increase of 117% in comparison with the last year. During his speech at the opening of the Saudi-Moroccan Economic Forum and Business Council held in Casablanca today, Dr. Al-Qasabi disclosed that these numbers do not meet the aspirations of the leaderships of the two brotherly countries and peoples, stressing the Saudi keenness, through the Kingdom Vision 2030, to strengthen economic relations with the Kingdom of Morocco and stimulate communication and visits of businesspeople. He added that this business forum is an opportunity to overcome obstacles for the private sector in order to expand projects and increase the volume of trade exchange. On the sidelines of the visit, the Minister of Commerce, with the participation of the Moroccan Minister of Industry and Trade, inaugurated the headquarters of the new Saudi Commercial Attaché in Casablanca, which aims to develop relations between the two brotherly countries, overcome the difficulties facing the private sector, enable Saudi exports to enter the markets and attract qualitative investments that contribute to strengthening commercial exchange. Al-Qasabi and his delegation accompanying also visited the headquarters of "SABIC" and "AQWA Power" and were briefed on their projects in Africa. --SPA 23:45 LOCAL TIME 20:45 GMT 0041 www.spa.gov.sa/w1794146