The Moroccan minister is leading a high-profile delegation on a four-day visit of wheatbelt farms to explore agricultural trade opportunities with Western Australia.

Mr Redman welcomed the delegation to Australia and said he believed there were some promising opportunities for co-operation between the two countries in agriculture and related areas such as biosecurity and natural resource management.

“Despite our geographical distance, our two countries are very similar in climatic conditions and agricultural systems,” he said.

“The Moroccan ministry and the agri-business sectors are undergoing a significant restructure through the Green Morocco Plan.

“This is an ambitious plan to redevelop agriculture in Morocco and has attracted considerable European and international interest.

“It is estimated the plan will generate US$10billion of combined agricultural and agribusiness projects during the next 10 years for Morocco.

“WA’s agricultural industry may have a lot to bring to the Green Morocco Plan, particularly in areas such as dryland farming, rangeland production, water resource management and biosecurity.”

Moroccan business delegates travelling with the Minister have shown interest in WA exports especially livestock, fruit juice concentrate, canola meal, wine and potentially in wheat and meat.