RESTRICTED  
  
WT/TPR/G/453  
18 March  2024 
(24-2351) Page: 1/20 
Trade Policy Review Body  Original:  French  
 
  
TRADE POLICY REVIEW  
REPORT BY  
MOROCCO  
Pursuant to the Agreement Establishing the Trade Policy Review Mechanism (Annex  3 of the 
Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization), the policy statement by Morocco 
is attached.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Note: This report is subject to restricted circulation and press embargo until the end of the 
first session of the meeting of the Trade Policy Review Body on Morocco.  WT/TPR/G/453 • Morocco  
 
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  Contents  
1  INTRODUCTION  ................................ ................................ ................................ .......  3 
2  ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT  ................................ ................................ .......................  3 
2.1  Resilient economic growth in a chall enging environment  ................................ .................  3 
2.2  A significant change in export performance  ................................ ................................ ... 5 
2.3  A notable improvement in external accounts  ................................ ................................ . 6 
3  BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT  ................................ ................................ ........................  6 
3.1  The New Development Model - a national ambition for 2035  ................................ ............  6 
3.2  A framework to improve the economic environment  ................................ .......................  7 
3.3  An att ractive investment policy  ................................ ................................ ...................  8 
3.4  A fiscal and monetary policy to boost economic recovery  ................................ ................  10 
4  TRADE POLICY  ................................ ................................ ................................ .......  11 
4.1  An updated legal framework consistent with the opening up of the country's economy  ........  11 
4.2  A sustained policy of export capacity building and import liberalization  .............................  11 
4.3  Undeniable achievements in trade facilitation  ................................ ...............................  12 
4.4  Commitment to the multilateral system  ................................ ................................ ....... 12 
4.5  Enhanced regional and bilateral trade cooperation ................................ .........................  14 
5  SECTORAL REFORMS  ................................ ................................ ..............................  14 
5.1  A proactive industrial policy to boost growth  ................................ ................................  14 
5.2  A suppor tive and proactive agricultural and fisheries policy  ................................ .............  16 
5.3  Drivers of socio -economic developmen t: tourism and craft industries  ...............................  17 
5.4  Ambitious infrastructure and logistics to boost competit iveness  ................................ ....... 17 
5.5  Environmental and energy transition to boost sustainable development  ............................  19 
6  CONCLUSION  ................................ ................................ ................................ .........  20 
  WT/TPR/G/453 • Morocco  
 
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  1  INTRODUCTION  
1.1.  Despite a challenging global environment, Morocco has laid the foundation s for a new 
multidimensional development model, based on consolidating democracy, strengthening economic 
growth , and human development.  
1.2.  Since its previous Trade Policy Review in 2016, Morocco's economy has experienced steady 
growth, notwithstanding cyclical  fluctuations . Its average growth rate stands at 2.1%, thereby 
consolidating its position as an emerging economy in Africa . This expansion has been driven by 
several  factors, including political stability, economic diversification and improved competitiven ess. 
1.3.  At the political level, significant progress has been made , as reflected in  the democratic 
development embodied by the 2011 Constitution, the implementation of advanced regionalization , 
and the holding of legislative, municipal and regional elections in September  2021. This political 
stability has been key to strengthening Morocco's trade policy , and it has also created  a favourable 
and predictable environment for foreign investment and trade.  
1.4.  Morocco's ambitious and proactive reforms have laid the foundation s for the far-reaching , 
sustainable and inclusive transformation of the national economy, and have enabled the Kin gdom to 
consolidate its resilience and maintain its macroeconomic balance . Reforms include  upgrading 
infrastructure, improving the business climate and diversifying trade partnerships, thus aiming to 
increase the competitiveness of the country in world mar kets. 
1.5.  Since its previous TPR, Morocco has embarked on the irreversible process of opening up its 
trade policy to the international environment , through greater integration into the world economy . 
The country  has also focused on implementing the various tra de agreements entered into at the 
bilateral, regional and multilateral level, as well as on broadening them by negotiating new 
agreements . In the same vein, Morocco is continuing to streamline  formalities and mak e procedures 
more transparent.  
1.6.  Within the co ntext of its overall economic liberalization strategy, Morocco has undergone 
profound change in terms of its traded products and their geographical distribution . Despite the 
buoyancy  of exports, this economic openness has contributed significantly  to the c ountry's widening 
trade deficit . This has been all the more damaging owing to the emergence of a multi -crisis global 
environment , which has led to sluggish world growth and a surge in prices of raw materials.  
1.7.  Over the past decade, Morocco has emerged as one of  the chief destinations for foreign direct 
investment in Africa . With one of the region's highest rates of investment, the country has attracted 
significant attention from international investors . Similarl y, Morocco's outward investment, 
particularly in its African partners, has increased considerably , making it the leading investor in West 
Africa and the second largest on the African continent.  
1.8.  Morocco has also strengthened its budgetary framework to secur e public finances, further 
investment and improve the living standards of the most vulnerable population groups . In addition, 
the Kingdom's monetary policy  has remained accommodative , thus supporting economic growth and 
strengthening the country's external  position.  
2  ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT  
2.1  Resilient economic growth  in a challenging environment  
2.1.  In recent years, the Moroccan economy has shown remarkable resilience in an unprecedented 
global environment characterized by successive crises that have coincided, at t he national level, with 
six consecutive years of drought . This resilience has been bolstered by the appositeness of the 
Kingdom's policy choices , and its move towards sectoral diversification and supply development, 
which has played a key role in reducing the vulnerability of the production  base. 
2.2.  In common with the rest of the world, the Moroccan economy suffered an unprecedented shock 
in 2020 on account of  the COVID -19 pandemic and the health restrictions introduced to contain it . 
These measures, which res ulted in the temporary cessation of economic activity and disruptions to 
global supply chains, impacted the national economy, which experienced its first recession since the WT/TPR/G/453 • Morocco  
 
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  end of the 1990s . Management of the pandemic was characterized  by particular consideration for 
the country's food sovereignty and its needs in terms of products to fight the spread of the virus, 
including the manufactur e of COVID -19 protective and medical equipment, against the backdrop of 
an extensive vaccination ca mpaign.  
2.3.   For many years, the Kingdom has had an ambitious reform agenda and a portfolio of 
large-scale economic and social infrastructure projects , with the aim of increasing  the adaptability, 
agility and credibility of public policy , and strengthening  the resilience of the national economy in an 
unstable global geopolitical environment . 
2.4.  The unanimous agreement that Morocco, Spain and Portugal  will organize the 2030 Football 
World Cup  clearly reflects  the trust and credibility that Morocco enjoys in the eye s of the international 
community . This important event, which will be organized for the first time in two different 
continents, will undoubtedly generate considerable economic spin -offs, from which several sectors 
should benefit . In addition to sporting in frastructure, several investments are planned, including 
strengthening the transport network, the tourism sector and communications.  
2.5.  The Moroccan economy rebounded quickly and returned in 2021 to its pre -pandemic level . GDP 
growth reached 8 %, outpacing glo bal economic growth  and particularly growth  in the MENA region.  
2.6.  In 2022, the world economy slowed down owing to the effects of geopolitical crises, the 
synchronized tightening of monetary policy in advanced and emerging economies , and disruptions 
in global  value chains . In Morocco, this adverse international environment coincided with an 
unprecedented drought . However, national economic growth continued its positive trend to reach 
2.9% in 2023.  
2.7.  This performance can be attributed  to the continued growth of non -agricultural activities 
(2.7%), in particular  to the robust performance of tertiary activities (4 %), including the rebound of 
the tourism sector, the value added of which increased markedly in 2023 (26 %) due to  the significa nt 
increase in tourist arrivals and overnight stays.  
2.8.  The state of public finances improved between 2013 and 2019 . The budget deficit peaked at  
7.1% during the pandemic  before resuming its downward trend , falling from 5.5 % in 2021 to 5.2 % 
in 2022 and 4.5 % in 2023 . This improvement was possible  owing to sustained growth in tax revenue, 
which increased by 17.4 % in 2022, and non -tax revenue, which increased by 28.9 %. 
2.9.  In 2018, Morocco undertook the voluntary and gradual transition of its fixed exchange rate 
regime to a more flexible exchange rate regime , to strengthen the resilience of the national economy 
to external shocks and support its competitiveness.  
2.10.  On a separate note, the Moroccan Government has set about  implement ing a royal structuring 
project that see ks to extend social protection to all Moroccans by 2025 . This large -scale social 
project, which places the improvement of citizens' living standards at the heart of the economic 
development dynamic, aims to establish an efficient system of solidarity based on the generaliz ation 
of compulsory  health insurance (AMO), the distribution of family allowances  to the most 
disadvantag ed families , the broadening of pension schemes coverage  and the generalization of job 
severance compensation . 
2.11.  Accordingly, the Government has formulated an appropriate regulatory framework for health 
coverage and pension plans, as a result of which more th an 380,000  traders have benefited from 
AMO since January  2022.  
2.12.  The earthquake that struck the Al -Haouz region on 8  September  2023 was the most powerful 
in the history of Morocco , causing extensive damage in nearly 6,210  villages, killing  3,000  people 
and leaving  6,000 injured . Following this tragic event, a spirit of exemplary solidarity was shown by 
all sectors of Moroccan and international society, and Moroccans around the world came tog ether to 
support  their injured fellow citizens  and help the victims.  
2.13.  To address the impacts of this tragedy, Morocco has implemented an integrated and 
multisectoral aid programme, with an estimated budget of  MAD 120 billion over a five -year period . 
This recovery programme, which targets a population of 4.2  million, has four  main components : WT/TPR/G/453 • Morocco  
 
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  relocating  those affected  by the disaster , rebuilding housing and rehabilitating infrastructure ; 
opening up and upgrading  regions ; accelerating the absorption of socia l deficits , particularly in the 
mountainous areas  affected by the earthquake ; and encouraging economic activity and employment, 
as well as promoting local initiatives . 
2.2  A significant change in export performance  
2.14.  In recent years , owing to  sectoral and trade policy efforts, Moroccan goods exports have 
witnessed remarkable growth, increasing by 11 % between 2016 and 2022, compared with the 
annual average of 6 % between 2009 and 2015.  
2.15.  Owing in particular to Morocco's global businesses, exports have almost doubled since 2020, 
reaching MAD 428 billion in 2022, thus confirming the country's economic recovery from the health 
crisis. It should be noted that, in 2022, industrial exports accounted for 86.6 % of Moroccan goods 
exports.  
2.16.  The export –import coverage ratio has i mproved significantly, rising from 50 % on average 
between 2009 and 2015 to 59 % on average during the period 2016 –22. This improvement is 
expected to continue in the light of the country's move towards a policy of expanding exports and 
diversifying export products.  
2.17.  As a result of  Morocco's  policy to open up to global trade and increase the country's 
attractiveness, which has supported the further integration of the economy into global value chains , 
its market share of global exports incr eased from 0.14 % in 2016 to 0.17 % in 2022 . 
2.18.  Owing to the increase in the international prices of energy products and raw materials, the 
value of Morocco's imports increased significantly to MAD 737 billion in 2022 . This increase in 
imports affected Morocco' s trade balance, which saw a record trade deficit of MAD 309 billion, an 
increase of 55 % over the course of a year.  
2.19.  Exports from the automotive and aeronautical sectors, which are at the heart of the country's 
industrialization strategy, saw faster than av erage growth, almost tripl ing in less than a decade and 
reach ing record highs in 2022 of MAD 111 billion and MAD 21 billion, respectively . Moroccan exports 
of phosphates and phosphate products amounted to MAD 115 billion in 2022, while exports of 
agricultu ral products, textile and leather products, and electric and electronic goods totalled 
MAD 83 billion, MAD 44 billion and MAD 18 billion, respectively, by the end of 2022.  
2.20.  With an average share of 55 % between 2016 and 2022, M orocco's trade remains dominated 
by European Union countries, mainly by Spain and France, whose average shares stand at 18 % and 
15%, respectively . China and the United States rank third and fourth as the Kingdom's main trading 
partners, with 7% and 6 %, respectively, of total tra de during the period 2016 –22. 
2.21.  Despite a strengthened position in non -European markets, Moroccan exports in 2022 
remained highly concentrated  on the country's long-standing partners, namely Spain (19.6 %) and 
France (18.8 %). Morocco has recently increased it s market share in several of its trading partners, 
including India (third client), with its market share rising from 2.6 % in 2017 to 6.4 % in 2022.  
2.22.  Although imports are still mainly from Spain and France, with 14.1 % and 10.6 %, respectively, 
of the market sh are in 2022, several suppliers have strengthened their position, including China and 
Türkiye, which saw a respective average increase in their market share of 7.4 % and 2.9 % during 
the period  2009–15, and 10.3 % and 5 % during the period  2016–22. 
2.23.  In terms of trade in services, export growth (10 %) outpaced import growth (7 %) between 
2016 and 20 22. Despite a sharp slowdown in Moroccan service exports in 2020 and 2021 owing to 
COVID -19 restrictions, in 2022 they exceeded pre -pandemic levels to reach MAD 225 billion . As a 
result, the service trade balance remain ed in surplus at MAD 115 billion in 2022, compared with 
MAD 67 billion in 2016.  
2.24.  This trend is chiefly due to the rebound in travel receipts, which almost tripled in 2022  to 
MAD 93 billion . Business services, associated with the development of offshoring, were not 
particularly affected  by the health crisis , and grew steadily  from MAD 16 billion in 2016 to WT/TPR/G/453 • Morocco  
 
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  MAD 41 billion in 2022 . This reflects Morocco's attractiveness as a destination and the impact of its 
proactive development strategy in these areas.  
2.25.  While attenuated by the strong performance of trade in services, Morocco's goods and services 
trade deficit rose to MAD 153 billion in 2022, compared with MAD 105 billion in 2 016. This is mainly 
attributable to Morocco's economic situation, which is characterized by large -scale projects requiring 
imports of capital goods and semi -finished products, a high demand for certain inputs needed in the 
industrialization  process, and ri sing energy and cereal bills.  
2.3  A notable improvement in external accounts  
2.26.  The most significant performance was in transfers from Moroccan resident s abroad (MRE), 
which ha ve grown continuously at an annual average of close to 10 % since 2016 and which stood 
at MAD 110 billion at the end of 2022 . Most of the transfers made by the Moroccan diaspora come 
from EU countries, with an average share of 67 %. 
2.27.  In its continued efforts to improve its business climate and increase its attractiveness, Morocco 
has retained its privileged position as the destination of choice for foreign investors . Despite a sharp 
slowdown in foreign direct investment (FDI) in 2020, Morocco attracted MAD 248 billion in aggregate 
investment during the period 2016 –22, compared with MAD 234 billion between 2009 and 2015.  
2.28.  During the period 2016 –22, the geographical breakdown of FDI flows illustrates the 
importance of EU countries, which are still one of the top sources of investment , with a n average  
share of 58 %, followed by the United Ar ab Emirates with 10 %, and the United States and the United 
Kingdom with an average share of 7 % each.  
2.29.  In terms of sectors, industrial investments accounted on average for 28 % of foreign 
investment in Morocco between 2016 and 2022, with a cumulative total of  MAD 70 billion, compared 
with MAD 56 billion between 2009 and 2015 . Despite a 38 % decline in 2020, FDI for the industrial 
sector has since recovered and surpassed pre -pandemic levels.  
2.30.  The stock of foreign direct investment reserves in Morocco stood at MAD 677 billion in 2022, 
compared with MAD 492 billion in 2015, an increase of 38 %. In terms of sector s, industry ranks first 
with a 24 % share, followed by real estate (19 %), telecommunications (12 %) and tourism (9 %). 
2.31.  Moroccan direct investment abroad (IDME) tripled between 2009 –15 and 2016 –22, from 
MAD 28 billion to MAD 87 billion . African countries attract half of th is investment,  with accumulated 
investment since 2016 amounting to MAD 43 billion,  compared with MAD 17 billion at the end of 
2015.  
2.32.  The stock of Moroccan investment abroad increased by 62 % between  2016 and 202 2, rising  
to MAD 74 billion . By sector , banks and financial activities rank as the main recipient of IDME in 
terms of stock, which amounted to MAD 22 billion in 2022 , compared wit h MAD 10 billion in 2015.  
3  BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT  
3.1  The New Development Model - a national ambition for 2035  
3.1.  The New Development Model (NMD) was introduced in order to address the weaknesses created 
by the country 's changing socio -economic context and the resulting challenges . The NMD is an 
economic, social and environmental development plan that sets out the country 's ambition for 2035.  
3.2.  The aim is to promote inclusive economic growth, reduce socio -economic inequalities, 
strengthen infrastructure, improve e ducation and health care, and foster sustainable development.  
3.3.  A special commission was set up to develop the NMD through a broad -based consultation 
process involving all stakeholders . Close to 10,000 people participated in these national 
consultations thro ugh 70 institutional hearings and listening sessions, 113 workshops and 35 citizen 
listening sessions held in various towns across the country.  WT/TPR/G/453 • Morocco  
 
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  3.4.  To achieve the ambition set out in the NMD, the special committee deemed it essential to focus 
on five key aspec ts that would drive the Model's launch and implementation . Those five drivers are : 
(i) leveraging digital technology to accelerate change ; (ii) creating a competent and effective 
administrative apparatus ; (iii) securing the resources needed to finance tran sformative projects ; 
(iv) engaging the Moroccan diaspora and tapping into their know -now, networks and expertise ; and 
(v) fostering cooperation with foreign partners through a win -win approach.  
3.5.  Alongside these key drivers, intensive efforts are needed to rally all national players around a 
national development pact and to establish a mechanism to monitor and steer the NMD's 
transformative projects . The pact will be consensus driven, ensuring development actors' 
commitment to the new national ambi tion and creating a common frame of reference to guide and 
steer the work of all national stakeholders.  
3.2  A framework to improve the economic environment  
3.6.  Morocco is working towards completing the institution -building required by the 2011 
Constitution . In add ition to consolidating the rule of law, Article 1 of the Constitution stipulates that 
the Kingdom's territorial organization shall be decentralized and rooted in advanced regionalization . 
This strategic initiative is central to all sector -specific reforms being undertaken in Morocco and 
seeks to promote sustainable and inclusive economic and social development.  
3.7.  Since its previous Trade Policy Review, Morocco has implemented several legal provisions to 
establish and operationalize regional council structures  and adopt the national charter for 
administrative decentralization, which is key to the success of this large -scale initiative aimed at 
ensuring socio -economic development in Morocco.  
3.8.  The 2021 elections produced the elected bodies of the 12  regions establ ished under the new 
geographical boundary arrangements and paved the way for the establishment of the second 
chamber of parliament in line with the new configuration provided for in the 2011 Constitution.  
3.9.  In conjunction with private - and public -sector part ners, Morocco has developed a road map to 
improve the business environment in the period 2023 –26. The road map has three main areas of 
focus, which are : (i) improving the structural conditions for investing and doing business ; 
(ii) enhancing the country's competitiveness ; and (iii)  fostering an enabling environment for 
entrepreneurship and innovation . Another cross -cutting aim of the road map is to strengthen ethics 
and integrity and prevent corruption . Thus far, 70 % of the initiatives set out in the road m ap have 
already been launched.  
3.10.  Another step forward was the reinstatement of the Competition Council in 2018, with 
measures taken to ensure that the Council carries out all of its duties with full independence and 
neutrality . In 2022, the Council strengthe ned its legal arsenal, thereby enhancing the efficiency and 
credibility of its work to promote a balanced economy and competitive market . This reform has made 
procedures more transparent and provides economic operators with more guarantees.  
3.11.  For a number of  years, Morocco has been engaged in an irreversible process of digital 
transformation . As part of that process, the Digital Development Agency (ADD) was created in 2017 . 
The ADD has been tasked with structuring Morocco's digital ecosystem and fostering the  emergence 
of authentic operators within the digital economy . It also contributes to promoting digital 
administration, developing a regulatory framework for digital products and services, and driving the 
process of behavioural change within society through  training and awareness -raising.  
3.12.  As part of these efforts, the first edition of Gitex Africa Morocco, the biggest tech and startup 
show in Africa, was held in Marrakesh in 2023 . This collaborative technology and innovation platform 
brought together more th an 275 international investors and helped to showcase Africa's dynamic 
tech industry and the high potential for future growth in the region.  
3.13.  The adoption of Law No.  31-13 on the right to access information, pursuant to Article  27 of 
the Constitution, enabl ed Morocco to strengthen the legal framework setting out the scope of the 
right to access information held by public authorities and elected bodies . The transparency and 
information portal, Chafafiya.ma, was launched in 2020, to enhance transparency and go vernment 
openness.  WT/TPR/G/453 • Morocco  
 
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  3.14.  In response to citizens' and civil society's growing awareness of the scourge of corruption, the 
Kingdom adopted a strategy to combat corruption and strengthened the role of the National 
Authority for Probity, Prevention and the Fight ag ainst Corruption (INPPLC) . In 2018, Morocco joined 
the Open Government Partnership initiative, which fosters the principles of transparency, 
accountability and civic engagement.  
3.15.  Morocco also began reforming the state -owned enterprises and public institutio ns sector, in 
line with the NMD recommendations that the sector should become a driver of socio -economic 
development and its performance should be improved by building competitive ecosystems in 
strategic sectors.  
3.16.  In 2021, Morocco adopted Framework Law No.  50-21 on the reform of the state -owned 
enterprises and public institutions sector . The reform, which is being rolled out gradually over a 
five-year period, includes a programme to restructure state -owned enterprises and public 
institutions, strengthen thei r autonomy and improve their governance, with a view to boosting their 
economic and social efficiency.  
3.17.  In parallel, the National Agency for Strategic Management of State Holdings (ANGSPE), which 
became operational on 12  December  2022, protects the propriet ary interests of the State as a 
shareholder, manages the State's holdings, and monitors and assesses the performance of 
state-owned enterprises and public institutions . The Agency covers 57 state -owned enterprises and 
public institutions (15 public institu tions, 35 enterprises directly owned by the State, and seven 
holdings wholly or jointly owned by the State or by other state -owned enterprises or public 
institutions).  
3.18.  The Mohamed VI Investment Fund (FM6I) was set up in 2020, pursuant to Law No. 76-20. 
The aim of the Fund is to boost investment promotion and build the capacities of the national 
economy by providing production sectors with the support they need, supporting major projects 
through public -private partnerships and implementing financing soluti ons for companies involved in 
priority projects.  
3.19.  In response to changes to governance practices at the international level (G20/OECD 
Principles of Corporate Governance 2015), the Payment Observatory (ODP) was set up in 2017 . The 
ODP is tasked with analysin g payment practices, identifying abusive late payments, and taking 
remedial measures to improve payment times in Morocco and enhance transparency and 
accountability in business transactions.  
3.20.  Financial inclusion is another key component of national efforts to build the resilience of the 
population, particularly within those groups that are excluded from the formal financial sector . To 
that end, the National Financial Inclusion Strategy was strengthened and major reforms were 
adopted to improve access to bank ing services, including mobile payment services, promote access 
to financing for micro -, small and medium -sized enterprises (MSMEs) and develop the microcredit 
and participatory bank sectors.  
3.21.  Morocco's recent removal from the European Union's grey list, ju st three months after it was 
removed from the FATF's grey list, is undeniable proof of the efficacy and credibility of the reforms 
being undertaken by Morocco.  
3.3  An attractive investment policy  
3.22.  In line with the spirit and ambition of the NMD, Morocco has pre ssed ahead with its reform 
efforts to enhance the openness of the country's economy, improve its competitiveness and diversify 
its drivers of growth, while also seeking to ensure free and fair competition between public and 
private economic actors.  
3.23.  As a re sult of these efforts, Morocco quickly moved up the Ease of Doing Business ranking 
between 2010 and 2020, when it was placed 53rd out of 190 countries and came in as the third -best 
country in which to do business in Africa.  
3.24.  In addition, a new Investment Ch arter was adopted in 2022, through Framework Law 
No. 03-22, which replaced Framework Law No.  18-95 establishing the 1995 Investment Charter . WT/TPR/G/453 • Morocco  
 
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  The new Charter sets out the fundamental objectives of the State's efforts to develop and promote 
private investmen t, with a view to consolidating Morocco's position as an attractive regional and 
international hub for investors.  
3.25.  These fundamental objectives are to raise MAD  550 billion in private investment, create 
500,000 sustainable jobs over the period 2022 –26 and i ncrease the share of private investment to 
65% by 2035.  
3.26.  Framework Law No.  03-22 also provides for one main investment support mechanism and 
three specific support mechanisms . The aims of the main mechanism are to support investment 
projects that meet set c riteria, reduce disparities between provinces and prefectures in terms of 
attracting investment, and promote investment in priority sectors . The specific mechanisms are 
designed to support strategic projects, MSMEs and Moroccan companies looking to expand 
internationally.  
3.27.  The new National Investment Committee was set up to support implementation of the Charter . 
Chaired by the Head of Government, the Committee determines whether an investment project can 
be considered strategic, carries out periodic assessments of the efficacy of the support mechanisms 
provided for in the Charter, and proposes any adjustments needed to promote investment and 
enhance the Kingdom's attractiveness.  
3.28.  To ensure the successful implementation of the Government's new vision fo r investment 
promotion and development, the Moroccan Investment and Export Development Agency (AMDIE) 
was created in 2017, under the supervision of the Ministry of Investment, Convergence and 
Evaluation of Public Policies (MICEPP).  
3.29.  Resulting from the merge r of the Moroccan Investment Development Agency (AMDI), the 
Moroccan Export Promotion Centre (CMPE) and the Office of Fairs and Exhibitions (OFEC), AMDIE is 
responsible for implementing the State's strategy for the development, encouragement and 
promotion of national and foreign investment, as well as for exports of products and services in 
sectors under its authority ; it does this through the actions listed in Law No.  60-16 establishing 
AMDIE.  
3.30.  AMDIE used Expo Dubai 2022 to launch Morocco's new investment a nd export brand, "Morocco 
NOW", internationally . The aim of this initiative is to promote Morocco as a world -class industrial 
and export platform . The brand vision is driven by four of the Kingdom's key assets : sustainability, 
competitiveness, guaranteed s uccess and agility.  
3.31.  The reform of the Regional Investment Centres (CRI), through Law No.  47-18, led to an 
overhaul of the centres and their role as key players in promoting investments and the country's 
regions and in driving regional economic development.  As part of the reform, the CRIs were placed 
under the responsibility of the Head of Government, who delegated some of his powers to the 
MICEPP . Major strides have been made as a result of this reform : the performance of the CRIs has 
improved considerably,  with investment application processing times falling sharply, from an 
average of 130  days in 2019 to 12  days in 2022.  
3.32.  Under Law No.  55-19 on simplifying administrative procedures and formalities, 
22 administrative decision -making processes relating to the  eligibility of projects, urban planning 
authorizations, property access and utilization were streamlined and digitized through the "CRI 
Invest" electronic platform . The number of documents required for investors was reduced by 45 %. 
3.33.  Since its previous Trad e Policy Review in 2016, Morocco has continued to expand its network 
of investment promotion and protection agreements in order to foster foreign investment in Morocco 
and encourage Moroccan investment abroad . By the end of June 2023, Morocco had signed 
79 bilateral investment agreements, 53 of which have entered into force, including four signed in 
2022 and 2023.  
3.34.  Morocco has joined several international and regional investment initiatives, including : the 
OECD Declaration on International Investment and Mul tinational Enterprises ; the Unified Arab 
Investment Agreement, which is in the process of being updated ; the Protocol on Investment to the 
Agreement Establishing the African Continental Free Trade Area ; the Agreement on Promotion, WT/TPR/G/453 • Morocco  
 
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  Protection and Guarantee of Investments Among Member States of the Organization of the Islamic 
Conference, for which a permanent investment dispute settlement mechanism is in the process of 
being negotiated ; and the WTO Agreement on Investment Facilitation for Development.  
3.35.  In 2019 , Morocco adopted an updated and balanced investment promotion and protection 
agreement model . The model draws on best international practices and expands on the substantive 
clauses by integrating the notions of sustainable development and the host country 's right to 
regulate and by upgrading the investor/State dispute settlement mechanism.  
3.4  A fiscal and monetary policy to boost economic recovery  
3.36.  Starting in 2013, public finances underwent a period of fiscal consolidation, with major reforms 
to strengthen th e resilience of the fiscal framework . The unprecedented crisis in 2020 required a 
countercyclical fiscal policy to be adopted in order to mitigate the consequences of the pandemic on 
affected households and companies ; fiscal consolidation efforts then resu med in 2021 . The aim of 
these efforts is to restore fiscal margins in order to provide protection against potential shocks, while 
also ensuring that the reforms are sustainable and support the economic recovery.  
3.37.  Morocco also embarked on a plan to gradually  reform compensation . The aim of the plan's 
initial phase was to control the upward trend in compensation expenditure in order to ease the 
burden on the State's budget and free up financial resources that could be used to improve the living 
conditions of t he most vulnerable population groups . As part of the gradual reform of the 
compensation system, compensation for liquid petroleum products was phased out in 2015.  
3.38.  The pace of tax reforms, aimed at developing a more equitable, transparent and effective tax 
system, picked up following the national consultations on taxation held in 2019 . The 
recommendations stemming from the consultations led to the adoption of Framework Law No.  69-19 
on tax reform, which provides a frame of reference for the State's tax polic y. It includes a road map 
for the period up to 2026 aimed at strengthening taxpayers' rights, ensuring legal certainty and 
developing a straightforward, transparent and equitable tax system.  
3.39.  Since its previous Trade Policy Review, Morocco has, as part of its continued efforts to 
gradually relax its foreign exchange regulations, introduced a raft of measures to bolster the 
domestic production sector and provide a strong boost to economic operators, in particular by 
supporting innovative companies and improv ing individuals' access to foreign currency.  
3.40.  There have been a number of significant achievements in this area : the requirement for 
economic operators to file reports was lifted in 2022 ; in 2019, the advance settlement amount was 
set at MAD  200,000 for imp orts of goods and MAD  100,000 for imports of services ; hedging 
instruments for all risks inherent in any asset or debt were authorized in 2018 ; and exporters holding 
accounts in foreign currency or in convertible dirhams are now authorized to pay for impor ts of 
goods and services in advance or in instalments that exceed the authorized rate.  
3.41.  New measures to relax rules on current transactions and liberalize capital transactions have 
also been adopted, including raising the cap on transactions relating to for eign investments by legal 
entities to MAD  200 million per year and capping e -commerce funding for young, innovative tech 
startups  ("jeune entreprise innovante ") at MAD  1 million.  
3.42.  As a result of these measures, the number of transactions still subject to pr ior approval by 
the Foreign Exchange Office has decreased . They now make up less than 3 % of the total transaction 
volume on the foreign exchange market.  
3.43.  Monetary policy had remained loose in recent years and was further loosened in 2020 to 
support the dome stic production sector and boost the post -COVID -19 economic recovery.  
3.44.  After keeping its key rate at an all -time low of 1.50 %, Morocco's central bank then began 
tightening its monetary policy in September  2022 in order to rein in surging inflation, which re ached 
6.6% in 2022 – its highest level since 1991 – before stabilizing somewhat . The key rate was raised 
for the first time since 2008, with three consecutive 150  bp hikes bringing the rate to 3 %. WT/TPR/G/453 • Morocco  
 
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  3.45.  The process of gradually loosening the foreign exchange reg ime also continued : the dirham's 
fluctuation range against other currencies was widened to ±  2.5% in 2018 and to ±  5% in 2020 . 
This has been a smooth reform process, with few interventions by the central bank.  
3.46.  Before the next phases of this reform can begi n and an inflation target can be introduced, the 
prerequisites relating to macroeconomic fundamentals need to be met and inflation and the 
uncertainty surrounding the global and domestic outlook need to have sufficiently eased . This is in 
line with the pos ition of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), as set forth in Article IV of its Articles 
of Agreement.  
4  TRADE POLICY  
4.1  An updated legal framework consistent with the opening up of the country's economy  
4.1.  Morocco's general regulations on foreign trade have not  been amended since the previous 
Trade Policy Review . Trade liberalization continues to be the basic principle, and any restrictions 
may only be imposed on an exceptional basis in accordance with Articles XI, XX and XXI of the 
GATT 1994. 
4.2.  As part of its con tribution to the fight against the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, 
Morocco has adopted a legislative framework that controls the export and import of dual -use goods 
(goods used for both civilian and military purposes) and related services . Law No. 42-18, adopted 
in 2020, seeks to establish a control regime for the export and import of dual -use products by 
requiring prior authorization . The aim is to determine the destination and end -use of these products, 
ensure that they are traded legitimate ly, and prevent their diversion to military use . The Law also 
establishes the Commission for Dual -Use Items and Related Services, which includes representatives 
from the relevant ministries and governmental agencies involved in the strategic control of tra de. 
The Commission's main task is to give its opinion on export and import licensing for the products 
and services concerned.  
4.3.  The implementing texts for Law No. 42-18 set out, inter alia , the procedures for issuing, 
amending, suspending and withdrawing exp ort and import licences for dual -use products, as well as 
the procedures for reviewing related decisions . They also specify the products subject to this control, 
the types of licence application, and the documents to provide with applications . The control regime 
will enter into force in May 2024. 
4.4.  The Moroccan legislative framework governing trade defence has remained unchanged since it 
was first introduced . Trade defence instruments, the sole aim of which is to rectify or eliminate the 
damage caused to productive sectors by unfair competitive practices relating to imports, are 
generally applied by Morocco in a measured way and when certain conditions are met . Morocco 
ensures that any trade defence measure envisaged is entirely compatible  and compliant with the 
requirements of the applicable WTO Agreements and domestic legislation.  
4.2  A sustained policy of export capacity building and import liberalization  
4.5.  Morocco aims to reduce the structural trade deficit in its foreign trade by boosting an d 
promoting its export supply and expanding its presence in diversified markets . To help achieve this, 
an "Export Task Force", made up of representatives from the public and private sectors, has been 
set up to identify and harness untapped export potential  with a view to expanding Moroccan exports 
into new, high -potential markets . This work has led to the identification of 23 high -potential export 
markets, including seven priority markets.  
4.6.  At the same time, support services have been set up, including progr ammes to improve 
Moroccan companies' positioning in the global market  and help them implement their international 
business plans.  
4.7.  These programmes seek to (i) provide customized support for companies, focusing on their 
international development goals ; (ii) provide support for prospecting internationally, in collaboration 
with the Moroccan Investment and Export Development Agency (AMDIE) ; (iii) improve export 
insurance coverage by providing a complementary product so that insurance companies can cover 
a very  broad range of high -potential markets ; (iv) leverage national and international financing to WT/TPR/G/453 • Morocco  
 
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  provide export companies with competitive financing ; and (v) support companies in their efforts to 
certify their products with a view to improving their market ac cess. 
4.8.  Morocco has stepped up its promotional initiatives in target markets . As part of this, AMDIE 
undertook a total of 169 investment and export development and promotion activities in 2022, 
targeting 1,320 prospects and providing export support to 298 Mo roccan companies through some 
2,000 export meetings.  
4.9.  In supporting these companies, AMDIE devotes particular attention to those that have export 
potential but have never exported before or have only exported occasionally . In this respect, AMDIE 
plans to su pport 250 enterprises over the period 2024 -26. These companies require support to take 
the first step towards exporting.  
4.10.  In 2020, the maximum MFN import tariff was temporarily increased from 25 % to 40% to deal 
with the effects of the COVID -19 crisis . Morocco subsequently began a process of tariff reform, which 
saw this rate lowered from 40 % to 30%. The reform entered into force on 1 January  2024. 
4.3  Undeniable achievements in trade facilitation  
4.11.  To ensure inclusive governance regarding trade facilitation, Moroc co established the National 
Coordinating Committee for the Facilitation of Foreign Trade Procedures (CNCFPCE) under Decree 
No. 2.17.594, adopted in 2018 . This measure falls under Article 23 of the WTO Trade Facilitation 
Agreement.  
4.12.  In this context, the CNCF PCE has prepared an action plan to simplify, harmonize and digitize 
foreign trade procedures, with the aim of achieving paperless foreign trade by 2026.  
4.13.  The "PortNet" single window for foreign trade procedures, initially set up in 2010 to digitize 
port for malities and currently extended to all procedures, is the operational lever for the facilitation 
and digitization of foreign trade procedures, formalities and documents.  
4.14.  With around 95 % of foreign trade procedures now paperless, Morocco opted to streamline  its 
customs procedures by adopting a "zero paper" system from 1 January  2019 and, more recently, by 
introducing the electronic issue of certificates of origin and the digitization of post -clearance 
verification of proof of origin.  
4.15.  This development has con tributed to a considerable reduction in the amount of time goods 
spend in ports - from 13 days in 2014 to less than eight days in 2023 . Morocco's facilitation efforts 
have also had an impact on the national business climate ecosystem, with a clear improvem ent in 
Morocco's ranking for the Trading across Borders component of the Doing Business  indicator, rising 
from sixty -third place in 2017 to fifty -eighth place in 2020.  
4.16.  As part of its efforts to protect consumers and improve the flow of imports of industria l 
products, Morocco has also overhauled its system for checking compliance with standards . The new 
system, which is based on the use of approved inspection bodies, provides for the inspection of a 
number of industrial products in their countries of dispatc h, thereby reducing transit times for goods 
and the costs borne by importers . These inspection bodies form part of an extensive network and 
are present in all countries exporting to Morocco . The import control procedures for industrial 
products have been d igitized and linked to the PortNet single window.  
4.4  Commitment to the multilateral system  
4.17.  In strengthening the Kingdom's international economic presence, Morocco is committed to 
honouring its obligations with regard to multilateral organizations . To this end , the Kingdom remains 
committed to a fair and equitable multilateral trading system, based on clear rules and fundamental 
principles serving as a benchmark for countries' trade policies.  
4.18.  The Constitution, adopted in 2011, explicitly enshrined the supremacy  over domestic law of 
international conventions that have been "duly ratified by Morocco within the framework of the 
provisions of the Constitution and the laws of the Kingdom, in accordance with its unalterable WT/TPR/G/453 • Morocco  
 
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  national identity, as of the publication of those conventions [...] ." This constitutes a solemn 
affirmation of Morocco's international commitments.  
4.19.  Morocco has played an active role in all the areas negotiated or addressed at the WTO and 
has been at the forefront of promoting the continent's interes ts through its positions and initiatives 
as part of the African Group . Against this backdrop, Morocco took the initiative of organizing the 
third WTO Mini -Ministerial Conference in Marrakesh in October  2016, as part of the preparatory work 
for the eleventh Ministerial Conference in Buenos Aires.  
4.20.  Morocco ratified the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) on 1 4 May 2019. By the end of 2023, 
the country had implemented 91.2 % of the commitments set out in the Agreement, with five 
Category C measures to be implemented before 2027 and just one Category B measure in the 
process of being implemented.  
4.21.  Morocco is actively and constructively engaged in the negotiations of the second phase of the 
WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies, with the aim of reaching an agr eement that substantially 
reduces global fisheries subsidies and has a real impact on the conservation of marine resources.  
4.22.  Morocco is in the process of ratifying the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies concluded at 
the twelfth Ministerial Conference, whi ch prohibits harmful fisheries subsidies, especially subsidies 
for vessels and operators engaged in illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, subsidies 
regarding overfished stocks, and subsidies for fishing in unregulated areas in the high seas . In this 
respect, the Kingdom welcomes the first phase of the Agreement, which is the second agreement to 
have been concluded at the WTO since its creation.  
4.23.  Furthermore, Morocco is actively contributing to the joint initiative discussions on drafting an 
agreement on investment facilitation for development . The Kingdom is also a co -sponsor of the 
communication, dated 1 5 December  2020, launching the Informal Dialogue on Plastics Pollution and 
Environmentally Sustainable Plastics Trade.  
4.24.  In addition, Morocco is w orking to further the integration of African and Arab countries into 
the multilateral trading system . To this end, the Kingdom chaired the WTO Working Party on the 
Accession of Iraq from May 2009 until May 2023, and has chaired the Working Party on the Acc ession 
of the Union of the Comoros since March  2021. 
4.25.  Morocco is also an active participant in UNCTAD -led efforts to further the integration of 
developing countries into the global economy . In this context, Morocco has expanded its participation 
in the 1998  Global System of Trade Preferences (GSTP) among Developing Countries and has signed 
the Final Act of the São Paulo Protocol, which includes only 11 of the 43 GSTP countries and covers 
further tariff reductions.  
4.26.  A review of services policy was undertaken i n 2021 by the Government of Morocco with 
technical and financial support from UNCTAD and the United Nations Development Programme 
(UNDP) . The review covered three service sectors, namely distribution services (wholesale and retail 
trade), legal services an d logistical services provided in the transport and distribution of 
pharmaceutical products.  
4.27.  Furthermore, Morocco has adhered to 35 OECD legal instruments and actively participates in 
the OECD's work . Morocco is an "associate" in 12 different OECD thematic  committees, holds 
"participant" status in three OECD committees, and holds "invitee" status in 32 OECD committees.  
4.28.  The Kingdom has been the subject of specific OECD policy reviews on education, public 
governance, public sector integrity, gender equality, and regional development . The recent creation 
of the Morocco Economic Desk at the OECD in February  2023 completes the economic pillar of the 
second phase of the Morocco Country Programme.  
4.29.  Morocco is fully committed to implementing the United Nations 2030 Agenda, and this 
commitment is shared by the Government and other domestic institutions . In April 2017, a plan was 
submitted to Parliament to implement the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) . Under Decree 
No. 2.19.452 of 1 7 July 2019 on the organiza tional structure of the National Commission for 
Sustainable Development, the Office of the High Commissioner for Planning prepared two reports WT/TPR/G/453 • Morocco  
 
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  on the voluntary national review of the implementation of the SDGs in 2016 and 2020, and a national 
report on the  SDGs in 2021.  
4.30.  It should be recalled that Morocco is a signatory to the Washington Convention establishing 
the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID), a body that seeks to settle 
investment disputes between States and nationals of other States ; it is also a signatory to the 
Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards (New York Convention) . 
In this respect, investors may, in the event of a dispute, resort to the ICSID or to an ad hoc  tribunal 
set up un der the Arbitration Rules of the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law 
(UNCITRAL).  
4.5  Enhanced regional and bilateral trade cooperation  
4.31.  Morocco is of the view that regional and bilateral trade cooperation complements multilateral 
cooperation by  enhancing it and facilitating global trade openness and development . With this in 
mind, Morocco has, over the last decade, established a legal framework to support the development 
of trade relations with some of its strategic partners.  
4.32.  With 12 free trade agreements, Morocco offers market access to some 100 countries around 
the world, representing almost 2.5  billion  consumers . Morocco implements regional trade 
agreements with the following partners : the European Union, the United States, Türkiye, the United  
Kingdom, the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), the African Continental Free Trade Area 
(AfCFTA), the Greater Arab Free Trade Area (GAFTA), the Agadir Agreement (Egypt, Jordan, Tunisia) 
and the United Arab Emirates.  
4.33.  4After rejoining the African Union  in 2017, Morocco signed the Agreement Establishing the 
African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) in March  2018 and ratified it in February  2022. This 
large-scale African project, which seeks to create a liberalized single market for goods and services 
facilitated by the movement of people and capital, is part of the Kingdom's vision to strengthen its 
commitment to the development of pan -African cooperation.  
4.34.  The AfCFTA Agreement includes eight protocols covering trade in goods, trade in services, 
dispute  settlement, investment, competition, intellectual property, e -commerce, and women and 
young people in trade . With regard to trade in goods, signatory countries agreed to liberalize 97 % 
of tariff lines over a transition period that varies according to thei r level of development . With the 
exception of least developed countries (LDCs), all customs duties must be eliminated over a 
transition period of 15 years from 1 January  2021. 
4.35.  In October  2019, Morocco and the United Kingdom signed an agreement establishing  a free 
trade area between the two countries . The agreement, which provisionally came into force on 
1 January  2021, seeks to ensure the continuity of relations between the two countries following the 
UK's exit from the European Union . The agreement is based on the provisions of the association 
agreement between Morocco and the European Union and contains related provisions on rules of 
origin, preferential tariffs, and quotas.  
4.36.  In 2001, Morocco established a legal framework to grant preferent ial tariff access to certain 
products originating in and coming directly from 33 African LDCs . This unilateral initiative, updated 
in 2023, is in line with the Kingdom's multi -faceted south -south cooperation in favour of its African 
partners . By the end of  2022, Morocco's total imports of products from African LDCs amounted to 
MAD 1.03 billion . 
5  SECTORAL REFORMS  
5.1  A proactive industrial policy to boost growth  
5.1.  Since launching the Emergence  Plan in 2005 and adopting the National Pact for Industrial 
Emergence in 2009, Morocco has been actively pursuing growth and industrial modernization to 
become a globally competitive hub as a testament to its potential, resilience and agility . The 
country's industrial development policy has been significantly bolstered by the i ntroduction of 
targeted sectoral strategies . The subsequent Industrial Acceleration Plan (2014 -20) and Industrial 
Recovery Plan (2021 -23) have set Morocco on a new path of growth and progress.  WT/TPR/G/453 • Morocco  
 
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  5.2.  The aim of the Industrial Recovery Plan is to better integrate industrial sectors and engage 
them in innovation, thereby consolidating the Kingdom's position as a decarbonized and competitive 
industrial base.  
5.3.  Morocco boasts one of the world's most competitive low -carbon industries and is now working 
to give its manufa cturers full access to medium -voltage renewable energy, which will enable them 
to meet the environmental requirements of certain trading partners . To this end, Morocco and the 
EU signed a Green  Partnership in October  2022 to support the transition to more sustainable 
production and consumption methods and strengthen bilateral cooperation on energy transition and 
the decarbonization of the Moroccan economy.  
5.4.  As Africa's leading car manufacturer, Morocco is steadily shifting its automotive industry 
towards ele ctric vehicles . This strategic refocusing has meant that certain electric car models are 
now being produced exclusively in Morocco and has favoured the development of the value chain for 
the production of electric vehicle batteries.  
5.5.  Since the launch of the  first initiative in the aviation sector some 20  years ago, Morocco has 
become Africa's leading exporter of aeronautical equipment, parts and components . With a local 
integration rate of 42 %, the sector currently employs over 21,000  people and includes 
143 companies that are integrated into global value chains.  
5.6.  The agri -food industries sector is crucial to Morocco's socio -economic development, at a time 
when food security has become a major global concern . The sector plays a decisive role in enhancing 
the value of and regulating the Kingdom's agricultural and fisheries production and covers a wide 
range of activities, from simple value enhancement to the production of processed products.  
5.7.  Despite the challenges posed by the shift in global value chains, the t extile and leather industry 
has demonstrated a high level of resilience and an ability to adapt effectively . The 
COVID -19 pandemic led to the emergence of new sectors in the area of technical medical textiles . 
For the leather industry, two new dedicated in dustrial zones have been set up to bring together all 
stakeholders in an effort to reduce logistics -related costs and risks.  
5.8.  Morocco's other industries, which are just as competitive as they are diverse, cover a wide 
range of sectors, including the chemica l and parachemical industry, the pharmaceutical industry, 
the electrical and electronics industry, the engineering and metallurgy industry and the construction 
material industry . These ecosystems are notable for the diversity of their offerings and are an 
essential link in the national manufacturing supply chain.  
5.9.  Morocco has seen a marked increase in the roll -out of industrial infrastructure with the launch 
of 40 new industrial zones in 11  regions of the Kingdom, covering an additional 2,100  hectares, of 
which 600  hectares have already been developed and 1,500  hectares are under development . The 
regulatory framework has similarly been updated to support more professional ways of managing 
such facilities, as well as the upscaling of human capital and technolo gy transfer.  
5.10.  Launched in 2023, the "Tatwir R&D and Innovation" assistance programme offers a range of 
support and value -enhancement products to industrial companies, with the aim of improving their 
technological level by supporting them with R&D and indust rialization . The launch of this programme 
forms part of a new generation of measures in response to the new priorities of the industrial 
strategy.  
5.11.  Morocco has also set up an industrial support service for project leaders . This support covers 
all phases of project development, including assistance with administrative procedures, information 
on industrial sites and the market, certification and standardization, training and contacts with public 
and private contractors.  
5.12.  In 2023, the Moroccan Industrial and Com mercial Property Office (OMPIC)  launched a 
database of innovative projects and a virtual platform, " ipmarketplace.ma ", which is dedicated to 
patent value enhancement, the market ing of R&D products and the leveraging of innovative projects 
based on patents that are freely available in Morocco, for the benefit of industrialists.  WT/TPR/G/453 • Morocco  
 
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  5.13.  The Government has started work on its future industrial strategy (2023 -30). This strategy 
will respond to the Kingdom's priorities of sovereignty, sustainable employment and human capital, 
innovation and upgrading, and the rational use of natural resources for the improved territorial 
distribution of wealth creation.  
5.2  A supportive and proactive agricultural and fisheries policy  
5.14.  Morocco's agricultural policy has brought about significant progress since the last Trade Policy 
Review . Morocco has in fact adopted a new approach in this respect, developing an ambitious and 
proactive agricultural policy to meet the challenges of competitiveness, sustainable development 
and improved living conditions for farmers.  
5.15.  As a result of efforts made under the Green Morocco Plan (2008 -20), Morocco has doubled its 
agricultural GDP, amounting to MAD  125 billion in 2018, follo wing private -sector investments of 
MAD 63 billion . The Plan also led to increased agricultural exports and significantly improved food 
self-sufficiency for key commodities, including cereals (70 %), sugar (47 %), fruits and vegetables 
(100%), and meat (100%). 
5.16.  When the Green Morocco Plan came to an end, it was replaced by the new "Green Generation 
2020-23" strategy . The new strategy, which consolidates the achievements of the 
Green  Morocco  Plan, is based on two fundamental pillars : prioritizing the human  element and 
continuing to develop the agricultural sector.  
5.17.  The first pillar of the new strategy aims to create a new agricultural middle class and a new 
generation of young entrepreneurs . The strategy also seeks to establish a new generation of 
agricultur al organizations and support mechanisms, while mobilizing 1  million  hectares of collective 
land for the benefit of investors, rights holders and young people.  
5.18.  There are four specific areas of focus for implementation of the second pillar : (i) developing 
and consolidating agricultural sectors through more targeted upstream intervention ; (ii) improving 
marketing conditions for agricultural products and modernizing distribution chains ; (iii) promoting 
quality, innovation and green technologies ; and (iv)  develo ping resilient and eco -efficient 
agriculture.  
5.19.  The Green Generation strategy is expected to double agricultural GDP to MAD  200 to 
250 billion by 2030 . The strategy also aims to double agricultural exports (to MAD  50 to 60  billion 
by 2030) and create more th an 350,000  new jobs, while improving farmers' living conditions.  
5.20.  Following the devastating earthquake that struck the province of Al  Haouz, Morocco launched 
an urgent agricultural reconstruction, rehabilitation and development programme in affected areas . 
The programme focuses on restocking livestock, reviving the livestock production sector, repairing 
irrigation infrastructure and improving access to farms in order to rebuild agricultural production 
capital.  
5.21.  With regard to fisheries, Morocco is the leading  country in Africa and ranks 15th in the world 
in terms of marine fishing . With an exclusive economic zone of over 1  million km2, Morocco's waters 
are renowned for their abundance of fish . The Kingdom aims to make this sector, which employs a 
total of 247, 143 people, one of the main drivers of its economy.  
5.22.  It should be noted that the marine fisheries sector is one of the main drivers of growth, 
contributing around 2 % of the national GDP . Fish production amounted to 1.56  million tonnes in 
2022, representing an increase of 10 % compared to 2021 . Exports reached an all -time high of 
MAD 28 billion  in 2022, or 883,000  tonnes.  
5.23.  The Halieutis strategy (2009 -20) has yielded many achievements, including the strengthening 
of fisheries research, which saw total investmen t of MAD  1.55 billion  over the 10 -year period, the 
implementation of various plans to ensure the sustainable use of resources, measures to address 
IUU fishing, the promotion of aquaculture, and the upgrading of fisheries infrastructure to meet 
internationa l standards in order to enhance the value of fish and seafood products . The aim is to be 
a partner and supporter in the development of the processing industry.  WT/TPR/G/453 • Morocco  
 
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  5.24.  By building up value -added industries, though the implementation of an institutional 
marketing s trategy and a labelling system, Morocco has become the world's leading exporter of 
canned sardines and semi -preserved anchovies, and one of the world's leading exporters of octopus.  
5.25.  The new strategic roadmap for the fisheries sector aims to transform the s ector and bring it 
into line with the global blue economy . This transformation is based on two guiding principles : the 
adoption of a systemic approach that favours the development of ecosystems and the harnessing of 
synergies ; and the development of the se ctor by its stakeholders, who are supported by the State 
through capacity building . This process generates wealth at all stages of the value chain.  
5.3  Drivers of socio -economic development : tourism and craft industries  
5.26.  Tourism has become a key sector of the M oroccan economy, and stands out for its major 
contribution to job creation, its positive effect on foreign exchange earnings and the catalytic role it 
plays in the Kingdom's economic, social and territorial development.  
5.27.  After a temporary standstill in tour ist activity due to the pandemic, Morocco is back on the 
path to growth, with a new all -time record of 13.2  million tourist arrivals in the first 11  months of 
2023. This performance reflects Morocco's attractiveness as a must -visit destination and the 
effectiveness of its proactive tourism development strategy.  
5.28.  In this context, the Moroccan National Tourist Office (ONMT) has launched various initiatives 
to revitalize the sector and support its recovery, involving digital advertising campaigns and 
partne rships with airlines, tour operators, online travel agencies and the media to promote Morocco 
as a tourist destination.  
5.29.  A new strategic roadmap for tourism has been drawn up to strengthen this strategic sector 
against the backdrop of contextual and cyclica l challenges . This action plan, which covers the period 
2023-26, reaffirms the significant role of tourism in the national economy and aims to attract 
17.5 million tourists, generate MAD  120 billion  in foreign exchange earnings and create 
200,000  direct an d indirect jobs by 2026.  
5.30.  The roadmap is designed to deliver on the levers that are essential to shape products and 
services around customer experience . It includes measures to boost the airline sector, increase 
advertising and marketing, diversify tourism products and services, add new hotel capacity and 
modernize existing offerings.  
5.31.  As a fundamental pillar, the craft sector too is the focus of a new development strategy . This 
strategy, covering the period 2021 -30, seeks to build up resilience and ensure a gradual transition 
towards a structured, modernized and competitive craft sector . It includes new programmes to 
support operators, in particular exporters, aggregators and centres of excellence, and a series of 
promotional measures, not least the moderniza tion of marketing channels through e -commerce, the 
digitalization and optimization of the labelling process and the setting up of a support programme 
for labelled units.  
5.32.  It should be noted that the craft sector, with its two components of production and se rvices, 
is a major source of employment in Morocco, employing around 2.4  million  people while contributing 
almost 7 % to national GDP . In 2022, Morocco's craft exports reached a record level of more than 
MAD 1 billion,  a figure that was also achieved in 202 3. The top three performing categories on 
foreign markets are ceramics, carpets and basketry.  
5.4  Ambitious infrastructure and logistics to boost competitiveness  
5.33.  With 1,800  km of motorways and 57,334  km of roads, including 1,857  km of expressways, 
the transpor t sector accounts for 6 % of GDP and employs around 10 % of the urban working 
population . Considerable progress has been made in terms of road network construction and 
upgrading . One of the Kingdom's most important infrastructure projects is the 1,055 km 
Tiznit-Dakhla expressway, which aims to link the southern provinces with a road that meets 
international standards and provides a high level of safety.  WT/TPR/G/453 • Morocco  
 
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  5.34.  Morocco boasts a dense and high -performance rail network, including Africa's first high -speed 
train and one  of the fastest trains globally . The 2040  Rail Strategy includes projects to extend the 
network with both conventional and high -speed lines . One such project is the extension of the 
high-speed rail line to Marrakesh (450  km) and then onwards to Agadir (240  km), which will highlight 
the Kingdom's strategic geographical location and redefine journey times between the north and 
south of the country . When completed, the national network will connect 87 % of the population 
(compared to 51 % in 2014), 12 ports (six  in 2014) and 43 towns (23 in 2014), linking the city of 
Tangier with Marrakesh in three hours.  
5.35.  Morocco has 25 airports, 19 of which operate internationally, with a combined capacity of 
40 million passengers . Various projects are currently underway to mode rnize the infrastructure at 
the airports serving Rabat, Tétouan and Al  Hoceima, and other projects are in the pipeline to increase 
capacity at the airports in Marrakesh, Agadir and Tangier . As part of the Take -Off 2025 plan and the 
development strategy of Royal Air Maroc, a study on the short, medium and long -term development 
of Casablanca airport is currently underway.  
5.36.  Morocco's port infrastructure has undergone considerable development in recent years, now 
boasting a network of 43  ports, comprising 14  international commercial ports, 22  fishing ports and 
seven  marinas . At present, the network encompasses 73  km of protective structures and 65  km of 
berthing facilities, with a potential capacity to handle 300  million tonnes per year, 11.2  million 
twenty -foot equivalent units (TEUs) for containers and 15.2  million passengers . This development is 
part of the 2030 National Port Strategy, which aims to turn port infrastructure into a lever for 
economic growth and regional development in Morocco.  
5.37.  The port of Tanger  Med has become a major Mediterranean and continental hub, ranked fourth 
globally by the Container Port Performance Index . It handled over 8.6  million  containers in 2023, or 
95% of its nominal capacity . Two strategic projects are currently under constructi on: the port of 
Nador West Med, which is set to become operational by the end of 2025, and the new port of 
Dakhla  Atlantique, which is scheduled for completion in 2029.  
5.38.  Meanwhile, Morocco is developing its telecommunications infrastructure in line with gen eral 
guidelines (NOGs) that outline the sector's strategic development and provide visibility to existing 
investors and players . To this end, Law No.  121-12 amending and supplementing Law No.  24-96 on 
postal and telecommunications services, adopted in 2019, introduced new provisions to strengthen 
the role of the regulator, intensify and bolster competition in the various market segments, and help 
create the conditions necessary to use regulatory levers effectively.  
5.39.  Efforts to deepen and expand the netwo rk have led to continued growth in the 
telecommunications market in Morocco, driven mainly by the Internet and mobile segments . Internet 
penetration grew from 42.75 % to 106.8 % between 2015 and 2023 . Mobile telephony has also grown 
significantly, reaching 5 7.3 million customers by the end of September  2023, representing a 
penetration rate of 154.8 %. There is no difference in the use of mobile cellular telephones between 
different parts of the country, with a penetration rate of almost 100 % in both rural and urban areas.  
5.40.  Given the impact of climate change on the availability of water resources, water security has 
become a priority for the Government and a central focus of national economic policies . Against a 
backdrop of structural drought, Morocco has embarked on a series of major projects as part of the 
National Drinking Water Supply and Irrigation Programme 2020 -27, which includes linking 
watersheds and using non -conventional water sources . Specifically for desalination, the Kingdom 
has set a target t o desalinate more than 1.3  billion m³ of seawater per year by 2030 through more 
than 20 desalination plants.  
5.41.  A new development model for the southern provinces was drawn up in 2016, with a view to 
transforming the region into a competitive centre of econom ic excellence . With a budget of 
MAD 81 billion, this strategic vision centres on multisectoral investments across a number of 
structural infrastructure projects, such as renewable wind and marine energy production, the fishing 
industry and integrated renew able energy projects (seawater desalination, production of green 
hydrogen and ammonia) . Moreover, the region's prime geo -strategic position, with excellent links 
to Africa via the Tiznit -Dakhla expressway and the new Dakhla  Atlantique port, will transform it into 
a future African hub.  WT/TPR/G/453 • Morocco  
 
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  5.42.  The logistics sector is an important lever for improving the country's economic 
competitiveness, helping to attract investment that creates jobs and added value, while facilitating 
the flow of trade . In this light, progress ha s been made within the framework of the national strategy 
for the development of logistics competitiveness, not only through the creation of innovative 
infrastructure, but also through the upgrading of economic operators and the strengthening of their 
skills. 
5.43.  With the aim of boosting the competitiveness of the national economy and establishing the 
Kingdom as a regional logistics hub, Morocco has drawn up a national plan to create a network of 
logistics zones, covering 1,185 hectares, by 2040 . The plan is di vided into 12 regional master plans.  
5.5  Environmental and energy transition to boost sustainable development  
5.44.  The national energy strategy is driven by major objectives designed to reduce dependence on 
imports of hydrocarbons, secure the national supply of var ious forms of energy, ensure the 
availability and accessibility of these forms of energy at competitive prices, and rationalize their use 
while protecting the environment.  
5.45.  Renewable energy is a key component of Morocco's energy strategy, as the country has  
significant renewable energy potential which, if harnessed, could see this energy replacing fossil 
fuels to meet a significant proportion of the country's growing needs . Morocco's strategy is therefore 
to increase the share of renewable energy in installe d electricity capacity to more than 52 % by 2030.  
5.46.  This approach has begun to bear fruit, with 111 renewable energy projects already completed 
or in the pipeline, including one of the largest solar farms in the world . The installed capacity of 
renewable ener gy sources topped 4.5  gigawatts, representing approximately 40 % of the electricity 
mix, while electricity generated from renewable energy sources accounted for around 20 % of total 
electricity produced.  
5.47.  In light of Morocco's renewable energy potential, a st rategy has been launched to develop 
green hydrogen in the country by 2050, with the aim of capturing up to 4 % of global demand for 
green molecules . Implementing this strategy also means building transport, storage and export 
infrastructure and taking the n ecessary steps to integrate local industry, including producing 
1 million tonnes of green ammonia by 2027 . Numerous large -scale green hydrogen production 
projects are planned to meet a growing demand in the decades to come.  
5.48.  The Moroccan Mining Plan (PMM) 2 021-30 is an update of the development strategy for the 
national mining sector . It capitalizes on what has already been achieved, and has made necessary 
and appropriate adjustments, taking into account current needs and the convergence of interests of 
various stakeholders . The PMM sets out the basis for a global approach aimed at developing a 
competitive mining sector that works towards integrated industrialization and sustainable growth . 
Implementation of this strategy is broken down into 21  development ax es, which in turn are divided 
into 58  levers and 127  actions.  
5.49.  Recognizing the importance of African regional integration for the continent's economic 
development, the Morocco -Nigeria gas pipeline was officially launched in 2016 at an estimated cost 
of over  25 billion  dollars . Stretching some 7,000  kilometres along the Atlantic seaboard and snaking 
across 10 countries, the pipeline will connect Morocco to Nigeria's gas fields . In this way, the pipeline 
will feed into the Kingdom's new Atlantic strategy, whic h aims to secure the country's role as a hub 
between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean.  
5.50.  Morocco has also developed a political and strategic vision that places the environment at the 
centre of the country's socio -economic development . To this end, Morocco  is committed to meeting 
current and future challenges by making sustainable development a societal project through social, 
economic and institutional reforms.  
5.51.  This commitment to sustainable development has been reinforced by a series of measures, 
such as : (i) enshrining sustainable development as a constitutional right in 2011 ; (ii) adopting 
Framework Law No. 99-12 on the National Charter for the Environment and Sustainable 
Development in 2014 ; (iii) adopting the National Sustainable Development Strategy ( SNDD) for the WT/TPR/G/453 • Morocco  
 
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  period 2017 -21; and (iv) aligning the SNDD with the guidelines of the new development model and 
2030 Agenda by 2035.  
5.52.  The new SNDD sets out a vision and outlines six sustainability transformation areas . To 
monitor this strategy, 75 national in dicators have been set, with 225 targets to be achieved by 2035.  
6  CONCLUSION  
6.1.  This sixth review of Morocco's trade policy is taking place as Morocco reaffirms its commitment 
to pursuing structural change and the gradual modernization of its productive fabric . This vision, 
which is in line with the strategic guidelines of the new development model, involves territorial and 
sectoral diversification and deeper integration into global value chains, creating new levers for 
growth and for opening up to regional, continental and global markets undergoing profound change.  
6.2.  Through its trade policy and the creation of an investment - and business -friendly environment, 
Morocco has reaffirmed its choice to embrace openness, particularly by strengthening regiona l and 
multilateral cooperation, simplifying foreign trade procedures, promoting transparency and good 
governance, and introducing a new Investment  Charter.  
6.3.  The steady momentum seen in terms of infrastructure and structural reform has been 
accompanied by th e introduction of innovative sectoral policies . The undeniable impact that these 
initiatives have had on growth, employment and socio -economic indicators is gradually being felt 
within the context of a forward -looking approach that will enable Morocco to e mbark on a new path 
of development.  
6.4.  Lastly, it is important to stress that Morocco remains committed to the multilateral trading 
system and will continue to actively contribute to the success of the negotiations in order to ensure 
a positive, balanced, fai r and equitable outcome that takes full account of the concerns of developing 
and least -developed countries.  
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