Purchase OBG Publications

This chapter introduces the reader to the different aspects of the legal system in Morocco, in partnership with Dentons Sayarh & Menjra Law Firm. It also contains a viewpoint with Omar Sayarh, Managing Partner; and Mehdi Megzari, Partner, Dentons Sayarh & Menjra Law Firm.

In conjunction with Ernst & Young, this chapter explores the taxation system and Morroco’s efforts to build an investor-friendly environment. It also contains an interview with Abdelmejid Faiz, Tax Partner, EY Maroc.

Morocco’s growing insured population and middle class is likely to incentivise additional investment in private health facilities and pharmaceutical production units. At the same time, the government has demonstrated progress in meeting goals set by Santé 25, which is likely to continue given the increase in the Ministry of Health budget in 2020. However, the public health sector will likely continue to face pressure to address the ongoing shortage of health professionals. Equipped with a new education law and an ambitious budget for 2020, Morocco is well positioned to reform its education system. The new law, puts into motion proposals recommended in its 15-year plan for the education sector, which runs from 2015 to 2030, and includes the recruitment and training of 200,000 new teachers. The plan bases the need for reform on the education system’s weaker areas, such as the economic difficulties faced by graduates. This chapter contains interviews with Amine Benabderrazik, President, Association of Multinational Pharmaceutical Companies in Morocco.

Morocco’s geographical variety, combined with favourable weather conditions and its proximity to key European tourist markets, have made it one of the most attractive and competitive destinations in Africa. The country’s attractiveness as a tourist hot-spot has been strengthened by its consistently stable political and economic situation relative to the region. Like most critical sectors in the Moroccan economy, tourism has benefitted from a dedicated sector development strategy, the most recent of which is Vision 2020. However, while arrival figures have been improving, overall results have remained below expectations. This has triggered a re-evaluation of sector policy as the kingdom attempts to increase the sector’s weight in the economy. Continuous investment to promote the country’s brand to both established and new source markets will be essential going forward. This chapter contains an interview with Nadia Fettah Alaoui, Minister of Tourism, Air Transport, Handicrafts and Social Economy.

The agriculture sector has grown exponentially since the implementation of the Green Morocco Plan in 2008. The plan has achieved most of its goals and increased the value of the sector through the development of traditional crops, better marketing, improved supply chains and subsidised drip-irrigation equipment. However, the slow establishment of adequate refrigeration space and transport networks to carry produce to the market in a timely manner has led to instances of spoilage. Mechanisation levels have improved, but many small-scale farming operations continue to face obstacles to finance their equipment needs. Mitigating the effects of climate change will also determine the future of agriculture in Morocco. Although government measures have helped align water-saving measures with sector practices, water management will be increasingly critical as higher temperatures become the norm and population growth puts further pressure on hydraulic resources. This chapter contains an interview Abdelhamid Aboulkassim, President, Moroccan Interprofessional Federation of Organic Agriculture.

Greater promotion and adoption of digital solutions has the potential to shift the backbone of the kingdom’s ICT sector beyond just telecommunications. While international rankings place the kingdom among some of the best-performing countries in both the North African region and the continent of Africa in ICT-related indices, infrastructure development and upgrades must be strengthened in order to create more inclusive and productive development. Enhanced and updated training programmes will be crucial to changing mindsets on the benefits of technology, as well as preparing the current and future workforce to overcome modern challenges. With the kingdom’s regulatory framework moving in the right direction, ICT developments will continue to bridge national divides and cement Morocco’s position as one of the most important players on the African continent. This chapter contains an interview with Mohammed Drissi Melyani, CEO, Digital Development Agency.