November 25, 2014 – Rabat, Morocco
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Hello, everyone.
I would like to thank the School of Governance and Economics of Mohammed VI Polytechnic University for the warm welcome.
During this visit, I have had the opportunity to meet with representatives of stakeholders who contribute to the economic dynamics and the creation of wealth in Morocco.
I am pleased to be speaking to you today as we prepare to attend the Francophonie Summit in Dakar, Senegal, tomorrow.
This is an excellent opportunity to speak to you about sustainable economic growth and poverty reduction.
These issues will be a focus of the summit—and rightly so.
This year, we will reach a significant milestone in the evolution of the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie with the adoption of the Economic Strategy for La Francophonie.
This strategy promotes sustainable economic growth.
For member states, it is a critical step and a movement of solidarity.
The strategy will contribute to making the business climate more attractive within La Francophonie in the coming years.
It will facilitate investments and trade for entrepreneurs.
As you know, increased investments and successful businesses foster job creation.
Jobs that improve the lives of citizens and their families, in addition to generating revenues that governments need to invest in the well-being of their populations.
Today, developing countries are increasingly becoming the drivers of global growth, and they use economic development, trade and investment to fuel their own progress.
In terms of development aid, paradigms have dramatically shifted in recent years.
We have gone from the principle of assistance to a more positive dynamic involving the creation of opportunities and wealth.
Innovative solutions to development issues have arisen in the form of new winning partnerships.
The private sector, civil society and citizens are now involved with public organizations in implementing concrete actions to reduce poverty.
It is in this spirit of shared prosperity that Canada continues to make sustainable economic growth one of the priorities of its foreign policy.
It is also in this same spirit of shared prosperity that lasting bonds have been forged between Morocco and Canada.
The year 2012 marked the 50th anniversary of our bilateral relations.
Solid social and cultural relations.
Dynamic trade relations.
Such that approximately 72,000 Canadians are of Moroccan origin, making them the second largest North African diaspora in Canada.
Each year, close to 3,000 Moroccan youth come to study in Canada’s colleges and universities, traditionally in Quebec, but increasingly in other provinces and territories.
Numerous partnerships exist between our educational institutions, as is the case for your university with the Université de Montréal, the Université du Québec à Montréal, the University of Ottawa, Queen’s University and Quest University Canada.
We share the values of tolerance and moderation, and we work together to promote regional and international security.
Our two countries also represent major export markets for one another.
Our trade activities are diverse and complementary.
Last year, our bilateral trade in goods totalled 635.2 million dollars.
Furthermore, Canada welcomes the upcoming opening of the Bombardier Aerospace manufacturing facility in Nouaceur and the contribution of this company to Morocco’s aerospace cluster.
And we can do more.
More for our businesses, our investors and our citizens.
That is why, in 2011, Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Prime Minister Abbas El Fassi announced the start of negotiations to reach a free trade agreement between Canada and Morocco.
This agreement, which would be the first of its kind between Canada and an African country, would give major visibility to our relationship, and in particular, would provide our economic operators with an environment that is stable and favourable for investments.
Increased prosperity for Moroccans and Canadians.
Morocco is also one of the priority countries identified in Canada’s Global Markets Action Plan.
In other words, your country is one of the emerging markets offering the best potential for Canadian business interests.
In addition, one of the pillars of our development strategy for Morocco aims to support sustainable economic growth through better economic governance and support for small and medium‑sized enterprises, particularly those that work in the export field.
Together, we can contribute to the sustainable economic growth of our societies.
A growth that is positive for all of us.
As the Canadian Minister of International Development and La Francophonie, sustainable economic growth is obviously one of my top priorities.
When I describe this prosperity that we wish to use for the benefit of the most vulnerable populations in the world, I also think of young people.
According to the United Nations Development Programme, approximately 3 billion people in the world are under 25 years of age.
Their talents, their creativity and their energy represent immense economic growth potential.
Canada considers it of the utmost importance to help young people obtain meaningful and sustainable employment.
Support for the employability of youth is the second pillar of our development strategy for Morocco.
To improve their chances of breaking into the labour market, we must help them acquire knowledge and skills in economic sectors that present job opportunities.
That is why I am pleased to announce that Canada is providing 8 million dollars to UNICEF for the implementation of a project especially designed for Moroccan youth who have dropped out of school or who are at risk of dropping out.
For a period of four years, these most vulnerable young people will see their future prospects open up.
The project involves guidance, training and support activities to aid in the transition between school and the labour market.
The project also provides for the involvement of towns and municipalities in order to adapt local training to local needs and provide services to young people searching for employment.
Networks of potential employers, among others, will be established to facilitate the hiring of youth.
This is a project of social solidarity and inclusion.
Properly supported, young Moroccans will also be able to apply their skills to the sustainable economic growth of their country, and transform its future.
As I said earlier, the eradication of extreme poverty and the promotion of global prosperity today represent two sides of the same coin.
Many things have changed since Canada first provided development aid to Morocco in 1963.
Globally, the importance of public development aid has decreased in comparison with other resources.
Direct foreign investment in developing countries is now five times greater than development aid.
Developing countries also need partnerships and access to knowledge and skills that can help them mobilize their own resources and their own capacities.
Canada remains committed to supporting sustainable economic growth as a lever for development.
Because this is what generates true social and human development, and make it possible to effectively fight all forms of poverty in addition to reducing insecurity in several regions of the world.
I am very optimistic about the future of the students who are here before me, and who will undoubtedly contribute to advancing their society.
The message that I have given you today is one of realism and of hope for the future.
Thank you.
