Analysis

Facilities planning: Efforts are under way to extend services to rural areas
OBG
plus

Health care infrastructure has seen significant developments, with the number of facilities rising from one for every 17,000 people in 1980 to one for every 12,000 in 2014. The system has 144 public hospitals, with 22,000 beds, and 373 private clinics, accounting for around 10,300 beds. However, despite improvements in health insurance coverage, notably since the advent of the Medical Assistance…

Analysis

Matching skills with needs: A growing emphasis on training and research
OBG
plus

Young people aged 15-24 comprise 30% of Morocco’s population of 32.3m, and like most of the region the country is seeking to harmonise and improve the skills of its population with the needs of the market. A mismatch in training and job opportunities has left many young Moroccans without a job. Indeed, a survey published by the World Bank in 2012 revealed that 49% of the country’s youth are…

Analysis

Home improvements: A look at the regulations regarding real estate
OBG
plus

With real estate a major part of the Moroccan economy, the country is continuously strengthening the sector’s legal framework, and has laws and regulations that cover a wide range of business law. RECENT LEGISLATIVE EFFORTS: The rights in rem code & registration of real estate: At the end of 2011 the Moroccan legislator adopted the rights in rem code, modernising legal rights in rem which…

Analysis

Moving with the times: Changes to the rules governing public contracts
OBG
plus

Public procurement contracts are of great importance in Morocco, representing 15% of GDP in 2013. The principles governing public contracts required amendment in order to comply with international standards. Amending the status of public contracts was also an opportunity to give the necessary attention to strategic issues such as environmental protection and job creation. In addition, it was a…

Overview

Bringing it all together: Divergent cultures and peoples converge in the kingdom
OBG
plus

Part of the western-most region of North Africa, Morocco is known as Al Maghreb, “the West”, in Arabic. The only monarchy in North Africa, Morocco contains a blend of Arab, African, indigenous Berber and European cultures. The kingdom has long maintained close diplomatic, economic and cultural ties to Europe that it continues to deepen and has a reputation as stable and tolerant state. Even…

Overview

Stable transitions: Political power is being shared more widely
OBG
plus

The past few years have seen Morocco undergo some significant changes, yet the kingdom has maintained its tradition of social and political stability even amidst broader turmoil. The 10-year anniversary of King Mohammed VI’s ascension to the throne in 2009 offered Morocco the chance to take stock of its political evolution over the past decade, and with some satisfaction. The western-most Arab…

Overview

Bucking the trend: A strong performance in the face of external challenges bodes well
OBG
plus

For many countries in North Africa, 2013 was not an easy year, with continuing volatility at home and underwhelming growth in Europe, its primary trade partner. Morocco, however, was very much an exception. The country rebounded from a more modest performance in 2012 to deliver 4.4% GDP growth, with the economy bolstered by a return to form in the primary sector thanks to a strong harvest. The…

Overview

Positive indicators: Although liquidity has fallen, the sector remains in good form
OBG
plus

While its neighbours to the north have struggled with the slow recovery in Europe and continue to face hefty fines from aggressive regulators, Morocco’s banking sector remained resilient in 2013, benefitting from cash injections from Bank Al Maghrib (BAM), the central bank. The industry remains one of the most sophisticated on the continent, home to the headquarters of a number of Africa’s…

Overview

Cool under pressure: In a tough period for emerging markets, Morocco remained stable
OBG
plus

The year 2013 was one of ups and downs for emerging market equities. With the financial crisis showing little improvement in Europe, uncertainty over the US Federal Reserve’s quantitative easing programme, and tensions continuing apace in the Middle East and North Africa, the economic forces acting on Morocco were little disposed to show a buoyant performance. The Casablanca Stock Exchange…

Overview

Adding value: Exports are driving the sector forward and drawing in FDI
OBG
plus

With an increasing focus on value-added export industries in manufacturing, industry in Morocco has transformed in recent years. This is in large part a result of the 2009 strategic plan to bolster six designated segments by investing billions of dirhams and facilitating new investments. The result has led to Morocco becoming one of Africa’s leading countries for industrial foreign direct investment…