Morocco, Chile launch free trade agreement negotiations, first between Latin America and Africa
The accord is expected to benefit both regions by linking Chile’s export sector to Morocco’s dynamic, rapidly expanding population of approximately 40 million.
MOROCCO – Morocco and Chile have officially launched negotiations for a comprehensive free trade agreement, marking a historic first for both nations as Chile’s first FTA with an African nation and Morocco’s first with a Latin American country.
Chile’s Under-Secretary for International Economic Relations, Paula Estévez, signed a joint declaration in Morocco with Morocco’s Secretary of State for Foreign Trade, Omar Hejira, affirming both countries’ commitment to opening dialogue channels to develop a modern regulatory framework.
The declaration aims to boost trade in goods and services and diversify investment sources. “This marks an important initial step towards securing a trade deal with Morocco. Morocco’s growing economy complements Chile’s, and with a population of about 40 million, it shows strong dynamism and promising growth prospects. Morocco is also receptive to foreign investment,” Estévez said.
Furthermore, Estévez emphasized that the North African country’s strategic position was crucial in the decision: “Besides its appealing economy, it functions as a gateway to the broader African continent, with which we currently lack trade agreements.”
Morocco serves as a strategic gateway for Chile to access broader African markets, offering Chilean exporters a platform to reach a continent with growing demand for agricultural and industrial products.
The bilateral relationship fosters negotiations, with trade between Chile and Morocco rising from US$10.4 million in 2003 to US$80.3 million in 2025, reflecting an average annual growth rate of 31.5% over the past five years.
Estévez framed the initiative as part of a broader policy: “The progress made in these talks is part of a market diversification strategy that we are vigorously promoting in this administration, with the aim of seeking new opportunities for our export sector in both goods and services. That is why we have focused on revitalizing relations with emerging economies such as Morocco, India, and the Philippines, among other countries.”
By formalizing this partnership, Chile continues its broader economic strategy to diversify trade and strengthen ties with emerging global economies. The accord is expected to benefit both regions by linking Chile’s export sector to Morocco’s dynamic, rapidly expanding population of approximately 40 million.
The FTA negotiations mark a significant milestone in South-South cooperation and demonstrate both nations’ commitment to expanding their global trade networks.
Finally, the agreement would provide a modern regulatory framework for trade in goods and services and diversify investment sources.
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