Meditel, the Spanish Telefonica-led consortium with Portuguese and Moroccan partners, gained 220,000 subscribers in their first quarter. The new license has received unexpectedly stiff competition from the existing license held by the Moroccan state-owned telephone company, Maroc Telecom, all a good sign of opportunities for growth in this sector as well as a very receptive market. Internet cafes abound in Casablanca, and the telecom infrastructure is reliable and dependable compared to other countries in the region. FY 2001 should see the launch, after many years of waiting, of a tender for solid waste management in Casablanca, covering collection, transfer and treatment of waste from Morocco s largest city. Morocco offers significant investment opportunities, particularly as a packaging and assembly base because of its strategic location for exporting into North and Francophone Africa, Europe and the Middle East.
Significant incentives exist for import of capital equipment and raw materials for re-export.
The tourism sector is underdeveloped in contrast to the potential offered by Morocco s coastline, deserts, mountains and historic cities. The severity of the drought in 2000 has highlighted the need for more efficient and innovative ways in which water can be used and distributed both in rural areas and agribusiness. Hopefully more U.S. companies will pursue active leads and prospects in Morocco and the Maghreb region to put more American products, services and equipment into the hands of consumers, clients and users further strengthening the solid bonds between the two countries. Country Commercial Guides are available for U.S. exporters from the National Trade Data Bank's CD-ROM or via the Internet. Country commercial guides can be accessed via the world wide web through STAT-USA .