Morocco Takes Part in COVID-19 Multicenter Clinical Trials

Police and army officers patrol streets following the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Rabat, Morocco March 23, 2020. Reuters/Youssef Boudlal
Police and army officers patrol streets following the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Rabat, Morocco March 23, 2020. Reuters/Youssef Boudlal
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Morocco Takes Part in COVID-19 Multicenter Clinical Trials

Police and army officers patrol streets following the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Rabat, Morocco March 23, 2020. Reuters/Youssef Boudlal
Police and army officers patrol streets following the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Rabat, Morocco March 23, 2020. Reuters/Youssef Boudlal

Morocco will take part in multicenter trials relating to COVID-19 to obtain the sufficient quantity of the vaccine in a timely manner, Health Minister Khalid Ait Taleb said Monday in Rabat.

"The Kingdom, like what is happening across the world, internationally, will participate along some countries in multicenter clinical trials relating to COVID-19," the minister said.

"As long as it has the regulatory and legal arsenal allowing it to position itself to obtain the sufficient quantity of the vaccine for citizens in a timely manner and ensure the transfer of knowledge to achieve self-sufficiency in relation to vaccine production," Taleb stated.

He told reporters that Morocco - which prioritizes the health of citizens - seeks to find a vaccine through holding partnerships and signing cooperation agreements.

The World Health Organization (WHO) continues to call for intensified efforts to respond at the appropriate time knowing that the virus continues to spread across the world, he noted.

Taleb also called on citizens to stay alert and show responsibility and solidarity, especially with the imminence of the school year.



China's Xi Visits Morocco, Meets with Crown Prince

Chinese President Xi Jinping. Reuters
Chinese President Xi Jinping. Reuters
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China's Xi Visits Morocco, Meets with Crown Prince

Chinese President Xi Jinping. Reuters
Chinese President Xi Jinping. Reuters

Chinese President Xi Jinping made a short visit to Morocco on Thursday, according to state media from both countries.
Xi was welcomed in Casablanca by Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan and the visit reflected the strong bonds of friendship, cooperation, and solidarity between the Moroccan and Chinese peoples, Morocco's MAP said.
The Crown Prince and Moroccan Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch met Xi at the airport, where Xi and Hassan had a "cordial conversation", China's state broadcaster CCTV said.
Xi made the visit after being in Brazil for the G20 Summit.
China has stepped up investments in Morocco's infrastructure and rail sector in recent years.
Morocco's geographic location close to Europe, its free trade agreements with key EU and US markets and its existing automotive industry, make it attractive to Chinese electric vehicle battery makers.
In June, Chinese EV battery manufacturer Gotion High Tech picked Morocco to set up Africa's first gigafactory for a total cost of $1.3 billion.