Marrakech, Nov 20 (IANS): US Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker has hailed the leadership of Morocco's King Mohammed VI in encouraging entrepreneurship and women entrepreneurs, noting that the North African country's achievements in this area are "truly fantastic".

Speaking Wednesday on the sidelines of the 5th edition of the Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES), being held in Marrakech Nov 19-21, Pritzker said she was "delighted" to take part in this international event, the first of its kind in the African continent, MAP news agency reported.

The senior US official also welcomed the efforts made by Morocco to enhance the business climate as part of an "absolutely attractive approach" for the American business community, especially in light of the Free Trade Agreement of 2006 between Rabat and Washington which is a foundation for further business partnerships.

The US secretary of commerce highlighted US businesses' readiness to invest in Morocco, a country with a favourable business environment, as evidenced by the presence in the kingdom of some 150 US companies which ensure around 100,000 jobs.

In this respect, she noted that Morocco attracted both large multinational corporations and small US companies that provide their services and expertise.

Concerning Morocco's win-win partnership strategy in Africa, Pritzker said Morocco and the US could "certainly" work together in order to strengthen this virtuous circle, thanks to King Mohammad VI's vision to make the country Africa's hub and a gateway.

The US secretary of commerce said she appreciated the role of Moroccan women entrepreneurs as evidenced by the strong female participation in the GES in Marrakech, recalling in this context that the Obama administration works to promote entrepreneurship and innovation in the world.