Chile and Morocco launch historic free trade negotiations

Chile’s Undersecretary for International Economic Relations, Paula Estévez, signed in Morocco a joint declaration with Morocco’s Secretary of State for Foreign Trade, Omar Hejira, to launch formal negotiations on a free trade agreement. It would be the first of its kind between Chile and an African country, and also Morocco’s first with a Latin American nation.

The joint declaration underscores the two countries’ desire to open channels of dialogue with a view to establishing a modern legal framework aimed at strengthening the exchange of goods and services, while diversifying investment sources on both sides.

Estévez said the move marks «a very important beginning toward reaching a trade agreement with Morocco», noting that the kingdom has an emerging economy that is complementary to Chile’s, is open to foreign investment, and has a population of around 40 million, reflecting significant dynamism and growth potential.

The Chilean official added that Morocco’s geographic location is a strategic factor, as it serves as a gateway to the rest of the African continent, a region where Chile currently has no trade agreements.

This negotiating track comes amid growing momentum in economic relations between the two countries, with trade rising from $10.4 million in 2003 to $80.3 million in 2025, representing an average annual growth rate of 31.5% over the past five years.