The Government of Dominica continues to hold discussions with the Government of the Kingdom of Morocco about new areas of cooperation.
Prime Minister Skerrit who is just back from a visit to the Kingdom of Morocco in mid February says discussions were fruitful.
“We had an excellent meeting in Morocco. During my meetings there, I had an opportunity to review our relationship with Morocco” PM Skerrit told the Government Information Service (GIS).
Since the establishment of Diplomatic relations with the United Kingdom of Morocco in 2010, Dominica has benefitted in a number of areas. The construction of a state of the art fifty-eight (58) room hotel in the northern town of Portsmouth is being described as a flagship project. The hotel is being constructed jointly by the governments of Dominica and Morocco, as part of the Technical Cooperation Agreement.
Prime Minister Skerrit says discussions with the Moroccan Government centered on the need to develop a marina to compliment the Moroccan hotel.
“One of the projects I discussed with them was the Marina. We said to them that the Marina has to compliment the hotel because this is the overall master plan” PM Skerrit noted.
The Prime Minister says the Government of Morocco has also agreed to increase the number of scholarships and training opportunities for Dominican citizens.
The Prime Minister specifically highlighted training in the area of diplomatic studies.
“During my discussions it was agreed that the Moroccan Government would provide increased scholarships and training for our diplomatic staff not only within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.”
The Prime Minister said it’s his intention to extend these training opportunities to other people who may have interest in diplomacy and protocol, whether they work in the private or public sector.
“If you have an interest then we can arrange for one to attend the school of diplomacy in Morocco. It will be fully funded, the airfare will be paid for by the Moroccan Government, housing will be provided and tuition fees will be met by the Moroccan Governm ent” PM Skerrit said.
Dominica now has thirty- one students undertaking programmes of study in a number of disciplines as part of a Scholarship programme offered by the Government of Morocco.