Morocco plans consulate at Bengaluru

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: Morocco is working towards opening a consulate in Bengaluru, as it looks to boost trade ties, according to its Ambassador to India Mohamed Maliki.

“We have a national plan to increase our presence in India. We currently have consulates in Mumbai and Kolkata and are working on opening one in Bengaluru. We aim to grow together and have India as one of our top 10 partners by 2025.

We have outsourced visa services whereby potential investors can apply in cities wherever they are and multiple visas for a period of one year will be processed within 3 to 5 days,” Maliki said.

Maliki is leading a highlevel trade delegation from Morocco, which is on a sixday visit to India. It plans to increase bilateral trade between two countries, through ‘Morocco Now’ the national brand that promotes investments and exports.

The two countries currently have trade and industrial ties in automotive, textiles, pharmaceutical, petroleum products and chemical products. India’s imports from Morocco are largely dominated by phosphate and potash.

In Bengaluru, the delegation will engage in a series of meetings with the State Government officials, industrialists and other professionals.

‘Morocco Now’ roadshows will also be held in Mumbai and New Delhi with a series of similar meetings in these cities as well.