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Morocco: Tax advantages, durability and manners

The Moroccan market is attractive for entrepreneurs and investors because of the strategic location on the junction between Mediterranean sea, Europe and the African Coast. A local partner makes doing business a lot easier. Essential is to keep in mind the Moroccan interests and cultural differences. Who truly wants to be an entrepreneur has to show commitment.

Sustainable Tourism
What are the chances for  entrepreneurs to develop sustainable tourism in Morocco?

“Who thinks of the Moroccan economy, thinks easily of tourism. This sector adds 10 percent to the GDP, which makes it the second source of income in Morocco. Sustainable Tourism is, shortly said, the search for a balance between the three P’s: People, Planet and Profit. De Moroccan government started the ‘Vision 2010’  in 2001  for the extension of capacity in the tourism sector. This is meant for expansion of beds/hotels, staff and infrastructure. Vision 2010 seems successful, only the education of staff stays behind.

Diverse NGO’s deal with sustainable tourism. This applies in particular to the development of rural tourism were the local inhabitants are actively involved and where there is attention for the local traditions and social relationships.

Chances for the Dutch entrepreneurs in Morocco in the area of sustainable tourism are there namely for Tour operators, educational institutes, communication agency’s, financial companies, suppliers and consultancy agency’s.”

Renewable Energy
What chances offers the development of a renewable energy production of Morocco for entrepreneurs?

“The need for energy will rise the following years. Renewable energy can both reduce the very high import dependency as contribute to a sustainable energy system. The Government strives to gain 20% of the energy out of sustainable sources by 2020. The large Moroccan potential of wind- and solar energy offers entrepreneurs chances in the area of finance, process management, construction and production. Next to this, there is a growing interest in growing algae where algae serve as a raw material for biodiesel.

From conversation with among others the energy department and the state electricity company ONE seems that the Moroccan energy market is not fully liberalized. Producers have to sell their electricity to ONE, the biggest producer and rural carrier. Next to this, the price of electricity is subsidised to the users. The government marks a maximum price  where above she compensates one when they make more costs. This is a disadvantage for sustainable generated electricity because kWh is more expensive and therefore unattractive for ONE.

Free Trade Agreement agricultural industry
Which opportunities and threats offers the Free trade agreement between Morocco and the EU to the entrepreneurs in the Agricultural sector?

The Moroccan climate offers unique possibilities for entrepreneurs. Through the need for modernisation there are many opportunities present in the food processing industry.

To stimulate the trade a free trade agreement is made between Morocco and the EU. This agreement should make it easier to settle at each other's territory. Next to the free trade agreement, the Moroccan government also invests in economy, infrastructure and the agricultural sector. This appears from ‘Plan Vert’ produced in 2008. This plan aims at a fast modernisation of the Moroccan agricultural sector and builds on 2 main bases. The build of a competitive market oriented agricultural sector and the battle against poverty in de agricultural regions.

Text: Priscilla de Jong
Source: Buitenlandse Markten 6, aug./sep. 2009, The Netherlands
Publication date: the 26th of July 2009
Remark: This article was shortened for editorial reasons.

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