Ahmed Reda Chami - Morrocco, A Decade of Reforms, A Gate of Oppurtunity - 23 October 2013
Channel: IIEA
Date: 2013-11-25

About the Speech:

Morocco, which stands at the crossroads of Europe, Africa and the Arab World, has experienced major political, social and economic reforms over the past ten years. This culminated in 2011 with the unveiling of a new constitution that transferred powers from the King to a democratically elected government. By embracing political reforms as the Arab Spring swept across the region, Morocco has been held up as a potential model for other Arab monarchies.

On the economic side, the country of 32 million people began negotiating a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement with the EU in April 2013. Morocco's trade with other African countries increased by 300% over the last ten years and Moroccan companies continue to expand their presence in Africa. On social reform, Morocco has taken advantage of the UN Millennium Development Goals in establishing a new vision of human development at a national level, which aims for a more equal distribution of the fruits of growth and an improvement in the living conditions of citizens.

In order to reflect on these reforms, assess their achievements and shortcomings, and address the challenges ahead, the IIEA hosted a seminar featuring leading political and academic actors from Morocco.

About the Speaker : 

Mr. Ahmed Reda Chami, Shadow Minister for Trade -- Mr. Chami is a member of the main opposition party and held the position of Minister of Industry, Trade and New Technologies between 2007 and 2012. He formerly worked as the President of Microsoft in South-East Asia and as Director General of Microsoft in North and East Africa. He holds a graduate degree from UCLA and a degree in engineering from the École centrale Paris.