The South

Although Morocco’s economy has traditionally seen the highest concentration of economic activity around the major cities of Casablanca, Rabat and Tangiers, several initiatives have sought to increase investment in the country’s southern region. The area benefits from a number of natural resources, including pelagic fish and mineral reserves. Wind and solar generation, as well as ecotourism, are other potential areas for growth. However, a lack of clarity over taxation procedures has reduced the amount of funding available for municipalities aiming to improve social services and infrastructure. Reducing unemployment – higher than elsewhere in the country – also remains a challenge.

This chapter contains interviews with Hassan Sentissi, President, National Federation of Seafood Processing and Development Industries; and Omar Belmamoun, CEO, Brookstone Africa.