Having increased Korean involvement with and knowledge of Morocco, the dapper, fashionably dressed ambassador left Seoul last week cherishing many great memories and proud that he played a major role in increasing trade between both countries by 80 percent.

"This is because of the potential of growth of the two countries. I hope that I was the best link because with my diplomatic team at the embassy we did our utmost to bring and pave the way to enhance this relationship," Alj said in a farewell interview with The Korea Herald.

Moroccan Ambassador Jaafar Alj Hakim [The Korea Herald]

The primary reason for this increase is the diversity of products available from both countries. He said that if a country only has one or two products to trade, it's difficult to enhance a relationship. But if there is a wide range, the future relationship of both countries grows and prospers, as is the case between Morocco and Korea.

"I believe in the bright future of both countries and thanks to the very good and friendly relationship that exists already, it will grow," he said.

Morocco established diplomatic relations with Korea in 1962 and since then both countries have shared a close relationship because of their common philosophies and principles such as liberty and a free market economy, Alj said.

Besides bringing both countries closer, Alj also planted the seeds for what he calls a "bright future" by introducing Moroccan culture, cuisine and lifestyles to Korea.

"It was the case when we displayed Moroccan handcrafts in many festivals in Korea, not only Seoul but in many other cities. Also we brought Moroccan movies to Korea, we participated in the Cheongju Film Festival last year and in the cultural field we participated in the Gangnong Folklore Festival."

The embassy also organized a week-long Moroccan home decoration event at Hyundai Department Store which boosted demand for Moroccan handicrafts and furniture here. Alj noted there are many stores in the Gangnam area that sell and display Moroccan items like handcrafts and furniture.

He also personally helped set up the first Moroccan restaurant in Korea. Situated in the affluent Cheongdam neighborhood in the southern part of Seoul, the Marrakech Restaurant has been serving what some food critics list one of the top 10 best foods in the world.

"We helped a Korean businesswoman set up, bring in Moroccan items and helped them create the menu. We helped them realize and achieve this wonderful project. Helped with the chef, with importing all the ingredients required; we gave good support and now I can say that after these past few years Korean people know about the Moroccan lifestyle," he said, with a proud glint in his eyes.

When all is said and done, Alj appears to have made things a bit easier for his successor, who is due early next year.

"Morocco is one of the fastest growing countries in the telecommunication field in Africa and the Middle East. After South Africa and Egypt we have the third market in Africa for telecommunications.

"In just a few years we've had more than 13 million mobile subscribers, it's something very special in Africa," he said.

The Moroccan Embassy in Seoul will organize a partnership between mobile operators in Morocco and Korea soon, Alj said.

He also hopes that Korea will be able to capitalize on Morocco's abundant fishing sector.

Boosting tourism in Morocco is another important area he pushed. A few months ago he sent Korean journalists and travel agents to the north African country. As a result of the trip, travel agents are now offering trips to Morocco integrated into Spain and Portugal packages.

To bring a country from sub-Sahara to this part of the Far East took not only help from his diplomatic team but also his wife, Nouria El Alami.

"My wife worked with many cultural and social organizations, and with planning and participation in events with the embassy, plus in her own capacity she was a member of the board of Parenting Love and The Beautiful Store - two NGOs that help the needy," Alj said.

In the cultural field, Alami organized, with the help of the embassy and other sponsors, two exhibitions of her paintings depicting the life of women in Korea and Morocco.

The first was in Lotte Hotel during the World Women's Summit and the second at an art studio in Insa-dong. "It was a special exhibition because it was a sale expo for charity. Many people bought her paintings," Alj said. Almost every painting was sold at the exhibition.

"The participation of the wife of the ambassador is very very important for the success of the mission because she can be very helpful in promoting a gentler side of diplomacy - this was the case of my wife," Alj said.

(yoav@heraldm.com)

By Yoav Cerralbo
2005.12.19
source: Koreaherald.co.kr