A place to do business is Morocco. According to the most recent report by the Royal Institute for Strategic Studies (IRES) on the development of Morocco’s international positioning, this has happened. The Kingdom is unquestionably one of the “Best Countries for Business,” according to La Vie Éco’s weekly report.

Morocco’s ranking is unquestionably the result of “a significant improvement in its international positioning under this index,” claims the weekly La Vie Eco. In this regard, it should be noted that the Kingdom experienced a significant improvement between 2007 and 2019, rising no less than 35 places, in part as a result of actions taken to improve the general business climate.

Another figure confirms this assertion: between 2004 and 2020, Morocco has achieved a jump of 75 places on the index “Doing Business”. A progress obtained “thanks to the Kingdom’s advances in the field of business creation, property transfer, obtaining loans, protection of minority investors and cross-border trade”, reports La Vie Éco.

The Global Entrepreneurship Index is a new indicator that is mentioned in the weekly. On the continent, the Kingdom comes in fifth place. This ranking is “favored by Morocco’s capacity to develop new products, promote the emergence of start-ups, and integrate the use of new technologies,” the IRES report states.

In terms of investment attractiveness in the MENA region, Morocco remains an attractive country. Proof of this is its presence in the top 20 “Best Cost” destinations of the Global Manufacturing Risk Index. In other words, Morocco is “on the world’s radar”, says La Vie Éco.

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Morocco has emerged as an “emerging economic power” that serves as a gateway to African markets for both Colombia and many other South American countries, said Marta Lucia Ramirez, Colombia’s Vice President and Minister of Foreign Relations, on Thursday in Rabat, praising the Kingdom’s development and prosperity under HM King Mohammed VI’s wise leadership.

Morocco has made significant progress in strengthening democracy, development, and the economy, Ramirez said in a press statement following her meeting with Rachid Talbi Alami, Speaker of the House of Representatives, noting that the two countries face similar challenges and have similar perspectives on many issues.

“We will work to strengthen and improve our ties in the near future,” she stressed.

In response to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on both countries, the Colombian official stated that these challenges are “an opportunity for economic takeoff” for her country, as well as for Morocco, which has made significant progress in terms of health coverage and mass vaccination, allowing it to overcome this stage of the crisis.

Talbi Alami, for one, said the meeting provided an opportunity to discuss ways to deepen bilateral cooperation and solve concerns and challenges that the two countries face.

The discussions also covered the Kingdom’s territorial integrity and the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, he added, noting that the Colombian official praised Morocco’s experience in containing the virus and welcomed the Kingdom’s vaccination operation, which was closely followed by South American countries, particularly Colombia.

Talbi Alami also remarked on both countries’ willingness to work toward economic recovery and to address the economic and social difficulties caused by the health crisis.

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Moscow – The 8th meeting of the Moroccan-Russian Joint Cooperation Commission for Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation as well as other important bilateral events were at the heart of a meeting held on Thursday between the Special Representative of the President of the Russian Federation for the Middle East and Africa and Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov and the Moroccan ambassador to Moscow Lotfi Bouchaara.

According to a statement from the Russian Foreign Ministry, “during this meeting, topical issues related to the development of the traditionally friendly Russian-Moroccan relations were thoroughly examined including the organization, as soon as possible, in

Moscow of the 8th meeting of the Joint Intergovernmental Commission for Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation”.

The two sides also discussed the preparations of the 6th ministerial session of the Russian-Arab Cooperation Forum in Marrakech, “including the coordination of mutually acceptable dates for its holding by the end of this year, taking into account the constraints related to the Covid-19 pandemic”, the ministry points out.

Bogdanov and Bouchaara “expressed their deep astonishment at the unfounded information spread by several media outlets on an alleged cooling of relations between Moscow and Rabat, adding that the multifaceted and mutually beneficial Russian-Moroccan cooperation is developing dynamically, and highlighting the active role played in this joint work by the Russian ambassador to Morocco, Mr. Valerian Shuvaev,” the Russian Foreign ministry underlines in a press release.

The two sides exchanged views on the regional agenda and discussed the Sahara issue as well as the situation in the Maghreb region.

The Russian side “reaffirmed its unwavering position in favor of a negotiated settlement of crises and conflicts based on respect for fundamental principles and norms of international law, as well as the relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council,” according to the same source.

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The Moroccan economy’s growth rate for 2021 has been increased upwards by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). It is predicted to have the greatest growth rate among Middle Eastern and North African countries (MENA).

Morocco’s economic recovery is showing signs of strength. Following the World Bank’s revision of the national economy’s growth projection for 2021 (from 4.2 percent to 5.3 percent) last week, it is now the time of the International Monetary Fund, another Bretton Woods organization, to raise its anticipated growth rate for the Kingdom.

Morocco’s growth rate for 2021 is now expected to reach 5.7 percent, according to the IMF’s “World Economic Outlook,” released on Tuesday, October 12, 2021. This is 1.3 percentage points higher than the IMF’s April predicted rate.

Morocco, like the World Bank, is predicted to have the strongest growth rate in the MENA area, according to IMF figures. Morocco outperforms Egypt (3.3 percent), Tunisia (3%), Algeria (3.4 percent), the United Arab Emirates (2.2 percent), and Jordan (2.2 percent) (2 percent).

The Bretton Woods institution also predicts that unemployment would rise to 12% in 2021 before decreasing to 11.5 percent the following year. According to the same estimates, the consumer price index would stay constant, rising to 1.4 percent in 2021 and 1.2 percent in 2022.

It should be mentioned that the International Monetary Fund has somewhat cut its global growth forecasts, now forecasting 5.9% this year and 4.9 percent in 2022, while stressing the pandemic’s ramifications will endure in the short term. And the various consequences it has.

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The Twelfth edition of the “E-SISTEP 2021” international trade fair for procurement subcontracting and partnerships started on Casablanca Tuesday under the theme “industry at the  heart of economic development”.

This edition, which runs until October 07 and is organized in digital format on the initiative of the Federation of the Metallurgical, Mechanical, and Electromechanical Industry (FIMME), is part of the dynamic of digital transformation that continues to accelerate, particularly in terms of industry and innovation.

This event, which attracts nearly 2,000 exhibitors, speakers, and visitors from eight countries, provides an opportunity to discuss topics such as digitization and its role in the metallurgical, mechanical, and electromechanical industries (IMME), as well as the emergence of IMME 4.0 and its significance in enhancing industrial companies’ competitiveness.

The E-SISTEP aims to bring Moroccan and foreign enterprises together in order to renew the sector and contribute to its resurrection because of its international scale. It allows Western corporations to explore new markets while also allowing Moroccan and African businesses to shine on a global scale.

In a statement to MAP, FIMME President Tarik Aitri said, “This edition is distinguished by a scientific and technical program that will take place over three days in the form of seminars, panels, and round tables and will be an opportunity for participants to exchange their know-how and knowledge.” Several hot topics in the industry will be tackled, he said, mentioning industry 4.0, decarbonization, and the utilization of green energy as examples.

For his part, the Vice-President of the General Confederation of Moroccan Enterprises (CGEM), Mohamed Bachiri, underlined the importance of taking stock, through this fair, on the issues binding the various industrial federations and examining the opportunities aimed at developing Moroccan industry.

Mr. Bachiri, who emphasized the Kingdom’s progress in terms of industrialization, particularly in the automobile and aeronautics industries, emphasized the importance of promoting “Made in Morocco” and adapting Moroccan companies to the logic of Industry 4.0, which will allow advanced technologies to be integrated into production processes.

يعتبر اللقاء اليوم اول مؤتمر رسمي تشارك فيه شركات اسرائيلية، حيث يشكل خطوة مهمة في تطوير العلاقات الاقتصادية والصناعية بين البلدين ويمهد الطريق لزيارة وزيرة الاقتصاد الإسرائيلية المرتقبة في بضع اسابيع الى المغرب. pic.twitter.com/GFgO3uMYrQ

— Dr. David Govrin (@DavidGovrin) October 5, 2021

The 12th edition of E-SISTEP, organized by the Ministry of Industry, Trade, and the Green and Digital Economy, was highlighted by the presence of David Govrin, Head of the Israel Liaison Office in Morocco, and Lawrence Randolph, Consul General of the United States of America in Casablanca, who attended the show alongside Moroccan and international industrialists from Germany, Australia, and the United Kingdom.

The FIMME, which was founded in 1951, intends to bring together all of the synergies necessary for the efficient operation and expansion of IMMEs, and works to promote and develop the sector on a daily basis.

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As part of the industrial acceleration plan, Renault Group Morocco and the Ministry of Industry, On Tuesday, July 27, a convention setting new objectives for the development of the company’s diamond ecosystem was signed by Commerce and Green and Digital Economy. The occasion also for the staff of the latter to unveil with great pomp the new Dacia Sandero produced locally at the Somaca.

A new agreement that, according to Renault staff, attests to the Group’s ambitions regarding the ramp-up of its development in the Kingdom. With the unwavering support of Morocco, it will also stimulate a new dynamic in the local automotive industry. It should be noted that the automobile industry, the leading exporting sector in the Kingdom, continued fully on its momentum at the end of 2020, gaining even more in terms of competitiveness and awareness throughout the region.

A signing ceremony was held in the presence of the Minister of Industry, Trade and Green and Digital Economy, Moulay Hafid Elalamy and the Managing Director of Renault Group, Luca de Meo, who made the trip for the occasion.

Under the Enlightened Conduct of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, the automotive industry in Morocco is beginning, today, a new turning point in its evolution. The development of our partnership with Renault opens its ecosystem to new horizons with high technological value, in perfect harmony with the objectives of our industrial recovery aimed at strengthening the Kingdom’s industrial competitiveness on a global scale», made it clear during his speech Moulay Hafid Elalamy.

And the Minister of Industry, Trade and Green and Digital Economy added: «the expansion of the Renault ecosystem responds to two major challenges of the sector, namely the positioning of Morocco in electric mobility and the strengthening of local sourcing».

For his part, Luca de Meo was satisfied with this new impulse in the long-standing partnership between Morocco and the firm he is currently the boss. ‘This agreement will strengthen the competitiveness and attractiveness of Moroccan industry while preparing it for the future. ‘And M. de Meo to refine his statement: «the strategy of «decarbonization» initiated by the Kingdom is totally in line with our vision and will constitute a structuring element in the years to come».

Despite the health crisis and that of electronic components that impact all global economic players, Renault Group Morocco has confirmed its last commitment signed on 8 April 2016 with the Kingdom and consisting of the achievement of 1,5 billion euros in revenue, and 65% of local integration by 2023.

Having exceeded the 60% local integration rate at the beginning of 2021, the diamond firm intends to raise the local sourcing target to 2.5 billion euros by 2025, with a target of 3 billion euros. It is also committed to raising its integration rate to a target of around 80% over time.

Note that the number of Tier 1 suppliers in the Kingdom has already been tripled from 26 to 76. According to the minister and Renault staff, this agreement will support the installation of new suppliers and strengthen existing sites.

In any case, and in the opinion of the protagonists, the new objectives of Renault will support the development of the Moroccan industrial sector and the industrialization of the new vehicle projects of the Renault Group brands with high technological value.

Moreover, in line with the «Renaulution» strategy unveiled earlier this year and given the global orientation of the automotive industry towards the production of more environmentally friendly vehicles, Renault Group Morocco is preparing to industrialize new vehicles in its two Moroccan industrial platforms. Vehicles that will gradually include the latest Renault electrification technologies.

Note that the Moroccan subsidiary of Renault and its ecosystem benefit from the impetus given by the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Green and Digital Economy with regard to «decarbonization» industry and the creation of a green energy sector at competitive prices. This initiative by the Kingdom will, according to Renault, contribute to strengthening Morocco’s industrial competitiveness on a global scale.

A partnership agreement that was also an opportunity for Somaca to unveil the first Dacia Sandero and Sandero Stepway for the local market. They will be marketed in both gasoline and diesel starting next September.

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Bank of Africa “BMCE” has announced that it is gradually facilitating all traders and professionals from the Mobile Payment Solution “DabaPay Pro” which authorizes them to accept payments through mobile payment programs from all banking institutions.

The bank revealed in a statement that it was essentially providing clients the ability to carry out immediate money transfers in addition to the billing feature, telephone refilling, and bank-card-free cash withdrawals in the banking group’s 800 ATMs, providing a perfect and complete experience.

Following deliberations with the entire banking system community, this investment was put in place to ensure the interoperability of mobile payment services, allowing all customers, traders, consumers, and professionals to process transactions within and between each other.

According to the same source, this unit is fully operational within a number of traders, pharmacies, and restaurants in order to utilize the non-card-based payment acceptance feature to traders and professionals.

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For the second year in a row, Morocco has been selected to be Principal Coordinator of the African Group on Economic and Development Issues in New York

The Permanent Mission of Morocco to the United Nations will assume the role of Principal Coordinator of the African group to the United Nations and its common positions on the core issues of sustainable development, the advancement of social and economic development in Africa, and the implementation of the 17 sustainable development goals of the 2030 Agenda.

In this capacity, Morocco will undertake negotiations with other international partners on behalf of the African continent, and will also work to strengthen common African positions within the framework of multilateral processes aimed at combating the Covid-19 pandemic and achieving post-pandemic recovery, and work in the field of climate, environmental protection, food security, energy transition, mobilization of financial resources for sustainable development, dealing with challenges facing the least developed countries in Africa, upgrading of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD), South-South cooperation and migration, in addition to a number of fields in multilateral development cooperation.

Moreover, Morocco will do its utmost to make the voice of the African continent heard within the framework of international pluralism, and to enhance the role of regional integration in Africa to achieve sustainable development goals and ensure success of a sustainable recovery from the pandemic.

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The continuous flow of foreign investments in Morocco during the Covid Pandemic proves Morocco’s versatile role in luring in foreign investment opportunities and lessening a part of the Pandemic’s negative impact on the industry, reaffirmed Saad Eddine El Othmani, Moroccan prime minister, today, Wednesday during the fourth meeting of The Moroccan Agency of Investment and Development.

El Othmani further appraised the efforts taken by different contributors in order to overcome the economic and social situation caused by Covid Pandemic. He also described the pandemic as bottleneck situation that proved Morocco’s exceptional economic and industrial potential in terms of innovation.

Concerning the Free Trade Agreement, El Othmani clarified that by taking part in this Agreement, Morocco will achieve economic integration with neighboring African countries as well as provide Moroccan contractors with promising opportunities to access new markets which necessitates the development of a crystal-clear and effective action plan that will guarantee the implementation of each act of the Free Trade Agreement.

El Othmani further added that by Tangier’s Port raking as first Port in the Mediterranean in 2020, Morocco proved its credibility and value in logistics leadership which is going to spare with neighboring African countries especially after launching the Atlantic Port in Dakhla; thus, making Morocco’s southern Atlantic sphere a maritime façade of economic integrity and continental and International appeal.

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Guelmim – The president of the Regional Council of Guelmim-Oued Noun, Mbarka Bouaida, expressed on Wednesday the support of the Region for the victories of the royal diplomacy on the issue of the territorial integrity of the Kingdom.

Bouaida made this declaration to the MAP after a remote meeting held by the Minister of the Interior with the Walis and presidents of the regions, devoted to monitoring the implementation of the advanced regionalization project.

As Presidents of Regions, “we expressed during this meeting our support and our joy for all the recent achievements made by Morocco under the enlightened leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI”, she noted, citing in particular the securing of Guerguerat crossing and the decision of the United States to recognize the full sovereignty of Morocco over its Sahara.

The president of the regional council of Guelmim-Oued Noun observed that this recognition, which has “very great meanings”, constitutes “a major turning point and an important change” in the evolution of the Moroccan Sahara issue.

Bouaida further added that this meeting was an opportunity to welcome the agreements that were signed Tuesday before His Majesty the King, between the Kingdom of Morocco, the United States and the State of Israel.

All these gains made by royal diplomacy will strengthen the development path desired by HM the King, which has enabled the three southern regions of the Kingdom to take the lead in terms of implementing the development model, noted Bouaida.

In this regard, she recalled the “strong and positive” reaction at the popular and institutional level in the region of Guelmim Oued Noun, in favor of these decisions and these achievements.

On the other hand, she indicated that this meeting was an opportunity to take stock of the advanced regionalization process, recalling the strong will of all to implement this national project as soon as possible.

It was also a question of evaluating the results of the reference documents for each region, noted Bouaida, recalling that the Council of the region of Guelmim Oued Noun has already approved the regional land use plan, which has been validated by the Ministry of the Interior in addition to the regional development plan.

She further affirmed that there is a strong will on the part of the government to give a strong impetus to digitization which has already seen a significant leap in 2020 due to the Coronavirus health crisis.

Bouaida also called for a global mobilization for the success of this project, because it facilitates access to services and enshrines transparency and good governance. The optimal implementation of this project will thus have a positive impact on the quality of services provided to citizens, she said.

She concluded that everyone was in agreement on the need to implement all these projects before the end of the mandate of the presidents of the regions, considering that this mandate constitutes a constitutive stage for the success of advanced regionalization and administrative decentralization.

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