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# Moroccan Ambassador visit highlights strong Utah partnerships

By Nathan LambsonUtah Governor's Office of Economic Development, International Trade & Diplomacy Office

PROVO, Utah - His Excellency Mohammed Rachad Bouhlal, ambassador to the U.S. for the Kingdom of Morocco enjoyed his first visit to Utah since his appointment in January 2012.

Ambassador Bouhlal was a guest of Brigham Young University for the opening of the Beauty and Belief: Crossing Bridges with the Arts of Islamic Culture Exhibition at the BYU Museum of Art.

He also participated in the Ambassadorial Lecture Series Program and was greeted by a full audience of students and faculty, speaking on "Understanding the Arab Spring: Morocco's Perspective."

Utah Gov. Gary Herbert met with Ambassador Bouhlal to discuss the increasingly strong ties that exist between Morocco and the State of Utah.

Due to a bilateral Free Trade Agreement that Morocco entered in 2006 with the United States, Utah exports to Morocco have risen 1,839 percent since the agreement took place.

Another focus of the Ambassador's visit was the National Guard State Partnership that Utah shares with Morocco.

Ambassador Bouhlal discussed this unique and beneficial relationship with Army Maj. Gen. Brian Tarbet the Utah National Guard adjutant general.

The National Guard State Partnership Program's mission is to link National Guard units with partner countries for the purposes of fostering mutual interests and establishing habitual long term relationships.

The Utah Army National Guard and Morocco have shared this unique bilateral alliance since 2003. Utah is only one of eight U.S. states partnered with an African nation's military.

At the end of the visit, Ambassador Bouhlal extended an invitation to Gov. Herbert to lead a trade mission to Morocco in the near future to further develop political and economic ties.

The Ambassador also attended a luncheon event where government officials, members of the Utah National Guard and various business leaders were present.

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