Oxford Business Group is pleased to announce its media partnership with Cartes Afrique 2013 which will be held on the 25th & 26th of April in Marrakesh, Morocco. In this respect we send you the following message from the conference organisers: Dear Oxford Business Group Subscribers, Card technologies and payment innovations have proved to be a driving force towards financial inclusion in Africa.…
The region’s capital city is under renovation with new roads and low-income housing being built. Located just 15 km from the country’s border with Algeria, and home to about 500,000 inhabitants, the city of Oujda has historically been a trading conduit between Morocco and its eastern neighbour, and serves as the capital of the Oriental region. The city suffered from a lack of public investment…
Historically, the exploitation of mineral reserves in the Eastern Region has played a big role in the economic performance of the Oriental. It has also shaped the social fabric of communities. For decades, coal mining was essential for the livelihood of whole towns, providing jobs as well energy for the region. Despite a reduction in mining’s importance to the local economy, government plans…
One of the first consequences of the Royal Initiative for Development of the Oriental Region was the establishment of a fund to invest in the region’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The Investment Fund for the Eastern Region (Fonds d’Investissement de la Région de l’Oriental, FIRO) was designed to buttress governmental investment in infrastructure. While public spending has…
Although mining and trade have long played a crucial role, the Eastern Region has always depended heavily on its agricultural sector for economic growth. With an array of different climates and about 8.5% of the national usable agricultural land, the region has the natural setting for production of several goods. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, it produces 13% of Morocco’s fruits,…
An open border between Morocco and Algeria would enhance growth in the Oriental, and raise trade activity across North Africa. The closing of the Moroccan-Algerian border in 1994 represented a direct hit to the Oriental’s economic prospects, prompting a fall in trade and the prevention of movement of people between the two countries. Indeed, the impact of the event was felt at all levels…
Given the need to create employment opportunities for its growing population and increase manufacturing output, authorities are aiming to establish new labour-intensive industries in the Eastern Region. For years, overall business conditions, including poor infrastructure, made attracting manufacturing companies a difficult mission. But with rising investment in logistics and a network of sector-dedicated…
Much of the Eastern Region’s history was founded on the variety of its attractions, which range from sandy beaches to desert oases. Now authorities are keen to create niche tourism projects that help preserve the natural environment while sustaining local communities through low-impact tourist inflow. Emulating the success of other sustainable tourism ventures created across regions of the…
After a decade of investment, Morocco’s Oriental region is ready to build a strong reputation in the Mediterranean. Nestled between the Algerian border and the Mediterranean Sea, Morocco’s Eastern Region is strategically located along the southern European basin. After decades of underdevelopment, it has become the recipient of extensive governmental investment. Morocco’s government…
Interview: Mohamed Mbarki To what extent does the closed border with Algeria affect the development of the Oriental region? MOHAMED MBARKI: Since Moroccan independence in 1956, the border has been closed more often than it has been open. Economic experts have identified that this causes up to 2% GDP loss across the Maghreb region. However, the current rate of economic development in the area has…
