Morocco is seen by British economic and political actors as a model country in terms of economic reforms, Mr. Chami told MAP-London, adding that the British are interested in the fields of energy, and the automotive and aeronautic industry.

    Financial services might also be used to bolster Moroccan-British cooperation relations, he said, noting that the topic was raised with the Lord Mayor of the City of London, Davis Lewis.

   Mr. Chami revealed that discussions with Lewis revolved around possible partnerships between the City of London and the Casablanca stock exchange, noting that Morocco has the required potentials to become a regional platform of financial services.

    The minister hailed a British proposal to open in London a bureau for the promotion of investments in Morocco. He said the idea is being considered.

    Mr. Chami said the British authorities were sensitive to Morocco’s concerns over a recent British decision to double to £40 the Airport Duty Passenger for non-European countries.

    Tourism professionals in both countries deem the decision “unfair”, since Morocco has an Open Sky agreement with Europe, and is a signatory country of the European civil aviation agreement.

    We will consider this question in the draft budget, the Treasury Secretary, Angela Eagle said, adding that Britain is willing to support Morocco’s development efforts in the field of tourism, which, she said, is achieving important results on the British market.