Trade & Investment
From The Report: Morocco 2015
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Thanks to lower oil prices and improving conditions in its major export markets, Morocco’s trade deficit in 2014 shrank by 6.2% over the previous year and looks set to perform even better in 2015. Levels of foreign direct investment, especially from France, have grown substantially in recent years, boosted by investor incentives and good infrastructure, though they could be higher still if more progress were made on enhancing the ease of doing business and addressing challenges such as corruption. Outward investment has also been on the rise – the average in the 10 years to 2013 was up 12-fold on the previous decade – much of it moving south of the Sahara, where Morocco is emerging as a regional economic power.

This chapter contains interviews with Hamid Ben Elafdil, Director-General, Invest in Morocco; and Dominic Jermey, CEO, UK Trade & Investment.

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

Morocco diversifying trade and investment to grow economy
OBG
plus

Morocco’s trade balance improved substantially in 2014 and is set to perform better still in 2015 thanks to factors such as lower oil prices and improving conditions in major export markets, though it is set to maintain a large trade deficit for the foreseeable future. Levels of inward foreign direct investment (FDI) have grown substantially in recent years, boosted by factors such as a range of incentives for investors and good infrastructure. However, observers say that levels could be higher…

Overview

Morocco diversifying trade and investment to grow economy
OBG
plus

Morocco’s trade balance improved substantially in 2014 and is set to perform better still in 2015 thanks to factors such as lower oil prices and improving conditions in major export markets, though it is set to maintain a large trade deficit for the foreseeable future. Levels of inward foreign direct investment (FDI) have grown substantially in recent years, boosted by factors such as a range of incentives for investors and good infrastructure. However, observers say that levels could be higher…

Interview

Hamid Ben Elafdil, Director-General, Invest in Morocco: Interview
OBG
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Interview: Hamid Ben Elafdil What is the outlook for the business environment? HAMID BEN ELAFDIL: Thanks to the creation of the National Committee for Business Environment (Comité National de l’Environnement des Affaires, CNEA) and its numerous activities, there has been a positive evolution in the business legal framework. The CNEA has directed its efforts towards simplifying administrative procedures, improving and modernising the legal environment, urban planning and facilitating access to…

Interview

Hamid Ben Elafdil, Director-General, Invest in Morocco: Interview
OBG
plus

Interview: Hamid Ben Elafdil What is the outlook for the business environment? HAMID BEN ELAFDIL: Thanks to the creation of the National Committee for Business Environment (Comité National de l’Environnement des Affaires, CNEA) and its numerous activities, there has been a positive evolution in the business legal framework. The CNEA has directed its efforts towards simplifying administrative procedures, improving and modernising the legal environment, urban planning and facilitating access to…

Interview

Dominic Jermey, CEO, UK Trade & Investment (UKTI): Interview
OBG
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Interview: Dominic Jermey What are the prospects for trade development? DOMINIC JERMEY: Morocco is an important and interesting growth market, both in its own right and as a springboard to Africa for UK businesses. Our trade relationship is diverse and strong. Last year goods exported from the UK to Morocco were up by 28%, while imports from Morocco to the UK increased by 19%. Our bilateral trade in goods and services is worth some £1.8bn, so things are moving in the right direction. While…

Interview

Dominic Jermey, CEO, UK Trade & Investment (UKTI): Interview
OBG
plus

Interview: Dominic Jermey What are the prospects for trade development? DOMINIC JERMEY: Morocco is an important and interesting growth market, both in its own right and as a springboard to Africa for UK businesses. Our trade relationship is diverse and strong. Last year goods exported from the UK to Morocco were up by 28%, while imports from Morocco to the UK increased by 19%. Our bilateral trade in goods and services is worth some £1.8bn, so things are moving in the right direction. While…

Analysis

Morocco expanding trade and investment to develop partnerships
OBG
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Over the past 15 years Morocco has signed free trade agreements (FTAs) with some of the largest economies in the world. This has impacted the kingdom’s trade figures, though in some cases it has also been followed by increases in trade deficits with these partners. The next major accord Morocco is likely to sign is a Deep and Comprehensive FTA (DCFTA) with the EU that expands the existing Association Agreement (AA) to cover trade in services as well as harmonising Morocco’s trade regulatory framework…

Analysis

Morocco expanding trade and investment to develop partnerships
OBG
plus

Over the past 15 years Morocco has signed free trade agreements (FTAs) with some of the largest economies in the world. This has impacted the kingdom’s trade figures, though in some cases it has also been followed by increases in trade deficits with these partners. The next major accord Morocco is likely to sign is a Deep and Comprehensive FTA (DCFTA) with the EU that expands the existing Association Agreement (AA) to cover trade in services as well as harmonising Morocco’s trade regulatory framework…

Analysis

Morocco increases role for the private sector
OBG
plus

In line with a global trend to increase private sector activity in infrastructure development, Morocco is now host to several major public-private partnership (PPP) projects, including the kingdom’s largest power station and port at Jorf Lasfar and Tanger-Med, respectively. PPP success has left the government keen to boost the number of such projects, and privately financed public infrastructure initiatives in particular, in the process expanding government services and infrastructure without upfront…

Analysis

Morocco increases role for the private sector
OBG
plus

In line with a global trend to increase private sector activity in infrastructure development, Morocco is now host to several major public-private partnership (PPP) projects, including the kingdom’s largest power station and port at Jorf Lasfar and Tanger-Med, respectively. PPP success has left the government keen to boost the number of such projects, and privately financed public infrastructure initiatives in particular, in the process expanding government services and infrastructure without upfront…