Morocco Economy

An open border between Morocco and Algeria would enhance growth in the Oriental, and raise trade activity across North Africa. The closing of the Moroccan-Algerian border in 1994 represented a direct hit to the Oriental’s economic prospects, prompting a fall in trade and the prevention of movement of people between the two countries. Indeed, the...

Although mining and trade have long played a crucial role, the Eastern Region has always depended heavily on its agricultural sector for economic growth. With an array of different climates and about 8.5% of the national usable agricultural land, the region has the natural setting for production of several goods. According to the Ministry of...

One of the first consequences of the Royal Initiative for Development of the Oriental Region was the establishment of a fund to invest in the region’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The Investment Fund for the Eastern Region (Fonds d’Investissement de la Région de l’Oriental, FIRO) was designed to buttress governmental investment in...

Historically, the exploitation of mineral reserves in the Eastern Region has played a big role in the economic performance of the Oriental. It has also shaped the social fabric of communities. For decades, coal mining was essential for the livelihood of whole towns, providing jobs as well energy for the region. Despite a reduction in mining’s...

The region’s capital city is under renovation with new roads and low-income housing being built. Located just 15 km from the country’s border with Algeria, and home to about 500,000 inhabitants, the city of Oujda has historically been a trading conduit between Morocco and its eastern neighbour, and serves as the capital of the Oriental region....