Economy

While 2018 marked a deceleration from the economic growth of 2017, Morocco’s overall picture continues to look stable: the IMF forecast GDP growth of 3.2% for 2018, a substantial figure, and projected growth of 3.2% for 2019. A number of key developments are expected to support economic growth in coming years. A rapidly improving business environment and infrastructural base, the gradual liberalisation of the local currency, and increased investment into export-oriented industries are all set to raise living standards and drive the emergence of a large national middle class. Broader growth is not without its challenges, however, and officials are likely to put more effort into overcoming entrenched socio-economic problems and stubborn unemployment. Still, the medium-term upward trajectory of the nations’ GDP also appears to be holding steady, which will bring added help in tackling such issues. This chapter contains interviews with Mohamed Benchaâboun, Minister of Economy and Finance; Moulay Hafid Elalamy, Minister of Industry, Investment, Trade and Digital Economy; Salaheddine Mezouar, President, General Confederation of Moroccan Enterprises; and Said Ibrahimi, CEO, Casablanca Finance City Authority.