Construction & Real Estate

Supported by housing demand and infrastructure plans, Morocco’s construction companies have been able to maintain steady performances despite the negative effects of a host of local and international factors. The economic downturn in Europe and regional instability have dampened investment flows to the sector in recent years, while lower levels of credit to the real estate industry from banks have posed additional challenges for mixed-use projects. The Moroccan real estate sector has seen a steady recovery from the 2008 financial crisis. While high-end housing and luxury developments took a hit, prices for quality developments have remained steady as foreigners and Moroccans living abroad continue to look to real estate as a secure investment with long-term prospects. The government has pushed to increase the number of affordable homes through a series of incentives for developers, while commercial and office space developments have become increasingly important.

This chapter contains interviews with Tarafa Marouane, Chairman, SOMED Group; and Selma Belkhayat, Managing Director, Aswaq Management Services Morocco.