DR ‹ › An event dedicated to Moroccan-Portuguese cooperation brought together institutional and economic stakeholders from both countries on Monday in Meknes, on the sidelines of the 18th International Agricultural Show in Morocco (SIAM), where Portugal is the guest of honor. On this occasion, a high-level bilateral meeting was held between Ahmed El Bouari, Minister of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development, and Water and Forests, and his Portuguese counterpart, José Manuel Fernandes, Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries. The meeting reaffirmed the shared commitment to strengthening bilateral ties, with several agreements signed during the event. A cooperation protocol was concluded between the two ministries of agriculture, establishing a comprehensive framework for collaboration across a range of areas, including the modernization of agricultural and agri-food sectors, applied research, sustainable agriculture, irrigation, animal health, as well as training, capacity building, and rural development. A memorandum of understanding was also signed between the National Institute for Agronomic Research (INRA) and Portugal's National Institute for Agrarian and Veterinary Research (INIAV). The agreement focuses on developing joint research programs, organizing scientific events, exchanging expertise and information, and promoting staff and academic mobility. In addition, a framework cooperation agreement was reached between the Directorate for the Development of Production Sectors (DDFP) and Tagus Valley, aimed at facilitating delegation exchanges, training, project co-development, integration into international networks, and innovation in agribusiness. Finally, a technical cooperation protocol was signed between ALTRI and Eucaforest, covering forestry-related areas such as nursery and plant production, eucalyptus genetic improvement, reforestation systems, wood transport and logistics, ecosystem services, as well as technical exchanges and research.
