Economy
From The Report: Morocco 2018
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Despite the kingdom’s dependence on agriculture for strong GDP growth, efforts to strengthen other export sectors, coupled with diversification of trading partners, have allowed Morocco to develop a variety of competitive industries and increase their presence in international markets. Traditional segments such as phosphate production remain important, but a range of emerging manufacturing capabilities are helping to promote growth across a broader base of activities. Morocco has seen a recent influx of investment that has been translated into various projects, such as new industrial and infrastructure developments. With an emphasis on diversifying its commercial partners, Morocco’s African strategy has been raising the kingdom´s political and economic profile, and extending its clout across the continent.
This chapter contains interviews with Mohamed Boussaid, Minister of Economy and Finance; and Ahmed Lahlimi Alami, High Commissioner, High Commission for Planning.
Articles from this Chapter
Transition phase: The authorities target diversification to secure long-term growth
Transition phase: The authorities target diversification to secure long-term growthOBGplus
Despite its dependence on agriculture for strong GDP figures, efforts to strengthen other export sectors, coupled with the diversification of its trading partners, have allowed Morocco to develop competitive industries and increase their presence in international markets. Traditional segments such as phosphate production remain strategic, but a range of emerging manufacturing capabilities are promoting growth across a broader base of economic activities. In addition, reforms in recent years…
Plans in motion: Mohamed Boussaid, Minister of Economy and Finance, on modernising MoroccoOBGplus
Interview:Mohamed Boussaid What role does infrastructure development play in attracting private investment? MOHAMED BOUSSAID: Morocco, from its independence onwards, has principally made structural choices to liberalise and diversify its economy, and to encourage private initiatives. Since 1999 Morocco has signed free trade agreements with 55 nations, connecting the country to a global market of 1bn consumers. Foreign investors essentially opt for Morocco for three reasons: political and…
Plans in motion: Mohamed Boussaid, Minister of Economy and Finance, on modernising MoroccoOBGplus
Interview:Mohamed Boussaid What role does infrastructure development play in attracting private investment? MOHAMED BOUSSAID: Morocco, from its independence onwards, has principally made structural choices to liberalise and diversify its economy, and to encourage private initiatives. Since 1999 Morocco has signed free trade agreements with 55 nations, connecting the country to a global market of 1bn consumers. Foreign investors essentially opt for Morocco for three reasons: political and…
Focus point: Reforms channel foreign investment into key economic sectorsOBGplus
A large part of Morocco’s ability to post stable growth rates over the past several years has been its capacity to attract foreign direct investment (FDI). An influx of investment has translated into new industrial developments, telecommunications expansion, tourism projects, energy production and infrastructure builds. Although the amount of FDI inflows registered a small reduction in 2016 compared to the previous two years, prospects are strong as Morocco remains a centre of stability…
Focus point: Reforms channel foreign investment into key economic sectorsOBGplus
A large part of Morocco’s ability to post stable growth rates over the past several years has been its capacity to attract foreign direct investment (FDI). An influx of investment has translated into new industrial developments, telecommunications expansion, tourism projects, energy production and infrastructure builds. Although the amount of FDI inflows registered a small reduction in 2016 compared to the previous two years, prospects are strong as Morocco remains a centre of stability…
Regaining balance: Fiscal reforms and a favourable external environment are gradually stabilising the budget deficitOBGplus
Given its traditional dependence on energy imports, and agricultural volatility’s significant impact on economic performance, Morocco has witnessed long periods of fiscal imbalances. This is set to change, however, as structural improvements to the economy, coupled with a reduction in international oil prices, have helped the authorities commit to fiscal discipline by enacting a set of key reforms. Ongoing alterations to the nation’s pension system and improved tax collection are among…
Regaining balance: Fiscal reforms and a favourable external environment are gradually stabilising the budget deficitOBGplus
Given its traditional dependence on energy imports, and agricultural volatility’s significant impact on economic performance, Morocco has witnessed long periods of fiscal imbalances. This is set to change, however, as structural improvements to the economy, coupled with a reduction in international oil prices, have helped the authorities commit to fiscal discipline by enacting a set of key reforms. Ongoing alterations to the nation’s pension system and improved tax collection are among…
Advanced regionalisation: Ahmed Lahlimi Alami, High Commissioner, High Commission for Planning (Haut Commissariat au Plan, HCP), on national and regional growthOBGplus
Interview:Ahmed Lahlimi Alami How would you describe the ways in which statistical know-how is transferred in Morocco? AHMED LAHLIMI ALAMI: As the national statistics agency, the HCP is the recipient and central source, of micro and macroeconomic information and social data. It is thus the central guarantor and distributor of statistical information standards. The multidimensional poverty map, for example, was developed and published in 2017 from censuses and national surveys on household…
Advanced regionalisation: Ahmed Lahlimi Alami, High Commissioner, High Commission for Planning (Haut Commissariat au Plan, HCP), on national and regional growthOBGplus
Interview:Ahmed Lahlimi Alami How would you describe the ways in which statistical know-how is transferred in Morocco? AHMED LAHLIMI ALAMI: As the national statistics agency, the HCP is the recipient and central source, of micro and macroeconomic information and social data. It is thus the central guarantor and distributor of statistical information standards. The multidimensional poverty map, for example, was developed and published in 2017 from censuses and national surveys on household…
Going south: Building connections with a number of African economiesOBGplus
With an emphasis on diversifying its commercial partners, Morocco’s African strategy has sought to raise the kingdom’s political and economic profile, and extending its clout across the continent. Over the past decade, Moroccan investments in several African countries have been channelled towards financial services, industrial production and construction. Much of this economic drive has had direct political and institutional support from King Mohammed VI, who between the start of his…
Going south: Building connections with a number of African economiesOBGplus
With an emphasis on diversifying its commercial partners, Morocco’s African strategy has sought to raise the kingdom’s political and economic profile, and extending its clout across the continent. Over the past decade, Moroccan investments in several African countries have been channelled towards financial services, industrial production and construction. Much of this economic drive has had direct political and institutional support from King Mohammed VI, who between the start of his…
Innovation drive: Fostering new solutions remains key to growth prospectsOBGplus
Galvanising the competitiveness of Moroccan firms is an important component of modernising the economy and boosting job creation. While there have been improvements, the adoption of innovation programmes and the establishment of a viable support system for entrepreneurs and start-ups have lagged, in part due to the regulatory environment. The 2017 Global Innovation Index (GII), jointly published by Cornell University, INSEAD and the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), ranked…
Innovation drive: Fostering new solutions remains key to growth prospectsOBGplus
Galvanising the competitiveness of Moroccan firms is an important component of modernising the economy and boosting job creation. While there have been improvements, the adoption of innovation programmes and the establishment of a viable support system for entrepreneurs and start-ups have lagged, in part due to the regulatory environment. The 2017 Global Innovation Index (GII), jointly published by Cornell University, INSEAD and the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), ranked…
