General Information of Morocco

• Situation: The Kingdom of Morocco is situated on the north west tip of Africa, with the Atlantic ocean on one coast and the Mediterranean on the other. Morocco is easily accessible ; it is only 14 kilometres away from Europe across the straits of Gibraltar.
• Size and Population Morocco covers an area of some 710,850 sqms with a population in excess of 27 million.
• Climate The weather varies from Mediterranean in the north , to sub-tropical in the south. The nearness of the sea and the Rif and Atlas mountain ranges guarantees a pleasant climate all year round.
• Language Arabic is the official language but local dialects are spoken in the Mountain regions. French is the most commonly used second language, followed by Spanish and English.
• Money The unit of Currency is Dirham (DH).
• Local Time Morocco lies within the Greenwich Time Zone and operates Greenwich Mean Time (GMT)
• Electricity 110-125 and 220 volt are both in use, depending on the region and the age of the buildings.
• Railways There are 1,907 km of railway lines. The principal routes include : Rabat - Casablanca, Casablanca - Meknes - Fez- Oujda, Casablanca - Marrakesh, Casablanca - Tangier, Casablanca - Oued Zem, Casablance - El Jadida.
• Road Network Motorways Link Casablanca with Rabat, Kenitra and Larache. Morocco has 57,520 km of highways: motorways : 410 km, main roads : 10,647 km. The remaining network is made up of second and third class roads, around two-fifths of which have been resurfaced.

-Geography

-Historical Background

-Political System and Institutions

-Tourism

-Agriculture

-Mining and related activities

-The economic and social perspectives

-Investment

-Commercial exchanges

-Foreign investments and loans

-The textile and clothing

 

 

Geography

Known in Arabic as Al Mamlakah Al Maghribiyah, Morocco is an African-Arab state. It is a Muslim country whose official language is Arabic. Rabat is the capital. The Dirham is the Currency.
Morocco is located in the Northwest of Africa. It is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean on the west, the Mediterranean Sea on the North- with few kilometers (14 kms) from strait of Gibraltor, by Algeria on the East and by Mauritania on the South.
With a total of 710,850 square kilometers, Morocco enjoys considerable geographic diversity. The area can be divided into four topographical zones: the Atlas and Rif mountain ranges (reaching a height of 4165m in the Atlas,) the fertile coastal plains and desert regions of the anti Atlas and the Sahara. In addition, the coastline extends over 3,500 km.
Morocco has four seasons; the dominating weather is Mediterranean, tempered in the west and north by the sea. Inside, the weather is more continental with significant differences of temperatures. Precipitation falls mainly in winter and spring. The summers are hot and dry. The Atlas area is very humid, it snows frequently in winter. The south has a desert weather.
Mediterranean and Atlantic seashores, mountain scenery, desert proximity, artistic heritage of imperial cities (Rabat, Fez, Meknes and Marrakech), the economic city of Casablanca, souks activities, and the people’s hospitality have all contributed to make of Morocco a big attractive region for tourists.
With approximately 30 million inhabitants, Morocco is a young country. According to 2004 census, 55,15 % of the population lives in urban zones and 51,45% in rural areas.
The Berbers or Imzighen (men of the land) are the first inhabitants of Morocco. They settled there thousands of years ago and for some time, they controlled all of the land between Morocco and Egypt. They have also jealously guarded their independence, spirit that helped preserve one of the fascinating cultures of Africa.

Historical Background

• 3rd - 12th BC Phoenicians from Tyre settled along the north coast of Africa;
• 1st century AD, Morocco was occupied by the Romans ;
• 5th-6th century, Morocco was invaded by vandals and Visigoths;
• 682, Islam started to be disseminated in the country under Okba IbnNafi;
• From 788 to 974 King Idris I established an Arab and Islamic Kingdom and Idriss II founded Fez, the Capital in 808.
• 1055-1147: The Almoravids, a berber dynasty based in Marrakech, built an empire embracing Morocco and parts of Algeria and Spain.
• 1130-1269: The Almohades Dynasty originating from the Atlas and led by Monarch Yacub Al Mansur built Rabat, the Capital;
• 1258-1465: The Merinides Dynasty originating from the Sahara supplanted the Almohads. Their Monarch was Abu El Hassan and his Capital was Fez;
• 15th century , Spain and Portugal occupied Moroccan Ports;
• 1520-1660: after the expulsion of Muslims from Spain in 1492, The Saadyines originating from sakiet-El-Hamra and the Draa (south), restored the unity of Morocco and resisted the Turkish invasion.
• In 1660, The Alaouite Cherifian Dynasty was founded by Moulay Ali Cherif, originating from Tafilalt (south). The first of the long line of Monarchs was Moulay Rachid, his successor was Moulay Ismail (1672-1722) who founded Meknes as his Capital.
• As early as 1830, France showed a strong interest in Morocco. The Algeziras Conference (1906) entrusted policing of Morocco a protectorate of France. The treaty of Fez (1912) made Morocco a protectorate of France. By the same treaty, Spain assumed the role of protecting power over northern and southern zones of Morocco.
• The late King Mohamed V (1927-1961) achieved Morocco’s independence from the French protectorate in 1956; the occupied territories were liberated from Spanish rule gradually. Its northern region was recovered in April 7th 1956. In 1958, the southern province of Tarfaya was restored.
• In April 22nd 1956, Morocco is admitted as member of the United Nations.
• Late King Hassan II brought Morocco’s independence to completion by the recovery the other southern provinces. In 1969, Ifni was returned and in 1975 the Saharan regions were recovered. Sebta, Melilia, and other small islands are still under Spanish occupation.
• In July 30th 1999, His Majesty King Mohamed VI ascended the throne of his ancestors and engaged in the socio-economic modernization and institutional democratization.

Political System and Institutions


Morocco is one of the oldest monarchies of the world, founded since the 8th centuries by the Idrissides. It is a Constitutional Monarchy and a multi-party democracy. His Majesty King MOHAMED VI is Head of State since July 30th 1999.
The Government is composed of the Prime Minister and the Ministers. It is accountable before the King and the Parliament.
The Government is led by Mr Driss Jettou, Prime Minister who took charge since October 2002.
The Parliament is bicameral. It is composed of an elected House of Representatives (325) and elected Chamber of Counselors (300).
The Judiciary System is independent from the Legislative Branch and the Executive Branch. Judges are appointed by His Majesty the King upon the recommendation of the Supreme Magistrature Council.
The Constitutional Council is in charge of controlling the constitutionality of laws and the regularity of legislative elections and referendum operations.
Morocco is a multi-party democracy. In the wake of the elections held in 2002, the following parties are represented in the parliament: Socialist Union of Popular Forces USFP, Constitutional Union UC, National Rally of Independents RNI Popular Movement MP, Social and Democratic Party, Istiqlal Party, National Democratic Party, Party of Progress and Socialism, Democratic Union.
The next general elections will be held in 7th September 2007.
His Majesty King Mohamed VI is undertaking a vast economic and social development programs to meet the needs of the new generation by promoting education, women emancipation, employment and fighting poverty.
Moroccan Economy
The growth rate for 2006 was 8,1%, the inflation was lower than 1,5 % and the Unemployment rate decreased from 12.3% in 2003 to 9.7% in 2006.
Agriculture plays a major economic and social role; it employs about half of the active population. The main products are livestock (bovines, ovine & caprine), cultivation of palm dates and olive trees, citrus fruits and industrial crops (cotton, beet and sugar cane).
Morocco is a mining country: mining and related activities accounted for about 5% of national production. Morocco is the number one phosphates exporter in the world and the third largest producer. Twenty mining products are extracted in Morocco. Minerals and metals with a very high level of production include: silver, gold, lead, zinc, copper, manganese, Barytine and cobalt.
The industrial sector employs 43% of the labor force. Its production consists mainly of phosphate rock, phosphoric acid, textiles & clothing, leather goods, food processing, Handicraft, Sea Fisheries. The exports of goods and services account for 36,3% of GDP. The textile and clothing sector represents16% of industrial production and 40%of total manufacturing exports. The sector employs 43% of the industrial workforce. The value added in the industrial sector is29,9% of GDP.


Tourism


Tourism is one of the promising sectors of Moroccan economy. Its contribution reaches up to 8,5 % of the GDP. Last year, 5.870.000 tourists visited Morocco. The tourism sector recorded an increase in 2006 at the level of night guests (+6%), tourists number (+13%). Morocco has set out a tourism strategy aiming at attracting 10 million tourists by 2010. Tourism contribution in GDP will reach 20% by 2010.
Commercial exchanges were marked by an increase in commercial deficit of about 22% resulting from the strong rise in imports by 10, 6%. The upturn in the economic activity is reflected in the increase of the imports of capital goods: 42, 9% of GDP. The exports are phosphates, foodstuffs, particularly citrus fruit, fishery products, electronics and textile products. Foreign direct investments reached 1.5 billons US $ in 2005.
The national saving is ascribed, more particularly, to the external saving performance resulting from the increase in remittances of Moroccan residents abroad as well as to tourism revenues which reflects confidence in the destination of Morocco and the impact of the measures taken by the state in favour of this sector.
Benefiting from the government’s support, telecommunications in Morocco are modern and are rapidly progressing. Morocco possesses 22 airports, including 11 of international standing. Accounting for 60 000 Km, the road network is very good.

Tourism is one of the most promising sectors of the Moroccan economy. It represents 8 % of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2004. During this period the sector witnessed an increase of 27 % in arrivals and 10 % in revenues. Nearly 5.5 million tourists visited Morocco in 2004. http://www.tourisme-marocain.com

Agriculture

Agriculture plays a major economic and social role; it employs about half of the active population. The main products are livestock (bovines, ovine & caprine), cultivation of palm dates and olive trees, citrus fruits and industrial crops (cotton, beet and sugar cane). http://www.mcinet.gov.ma

Mining and related activities

Mining and related activities In Morocco, accounted for about 6% of national production in 2002.Morocco is also the number one phosphates exporter in the world and the third largest producer. Twenty mining products are extracted in Morocco. Minerals and metals with a very high level of production include: silver, gold, lead, zinc, copper, manganese, and cobalt.
The industrial sector employs 43% of the labor force. Its production consists mainly of phosphate rock, phosphoric acid, textiles & clothing, leather goods, food processing, Handicraft, Sea Fisheries. The industrial exports account for 70% of total exports. http://www.mcinet.gov.ma

The textile and clothing have always occupied an important place within the national industrial activities. It represents 16% of industrial production and 40%of total manufacturing exports. The sector employs 43% of the industrial workforce.


The economic and social perspectives

The economic and social perspectives of Morocco are encouraging in the context of the implementation of many reforms which will aid in the fight against poverty and unemployment.

In 2003, the GDP reached 46.5 billions US dollars, while GDP Per Capita stood at 1,404 US Dollar. GDP: purchasing power parity - $134.6 billion (2004 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $4,000 (2004 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 22.9% industry: 35.5% services: 41.5% (2004 est.)
With a growth rate of 3.5%, inflation lower than 2%, a current account of balance of payments of about 1.3% of the GDP and a budget deficit of 3.2% of the GDP, in 2004, the macroeconomic environment is deemed to be healthy and capable of resisting external shocks.
During 2004, Moroccan economy experienced a growth of 3.5%. Production increased by 2.5%. The mining sector also yielded satisfactory results with a net increase of phosphates exports. Electricity consumption rose by 7.1%.

Investment

Investment reached 24% of the GDP and national saving was maintained at a satisfactory level of 25.3% of the GDP, covering, hence, all investments and drawing out a surplus of about 1.3 point of the GDP. This growth is ascribed, more particularly, to the external saving performance resulting from the increase in remittances of Moroccan residents abroad as well as to tourism revenues

A balance of payments surplus of about 1.3% of the GDP was realized in 2004 for two reasons: First, the growth of tourism revenues of 3.1 billions Dhs (375 million US $) (or of 10%) compared to 2003, a situation which reflects confidence in the destination of Morocco and the impact of the measures taken by the state in favor of this sector.
Benefiting from the government’s support, telecommunications in Morocco are modern and are rapidly progressing. Morocco possesses 22 airports, including 11 of international standing. Accounting for 60 000 Km, the road network is very good.


Commercial exchanges

Commercial exchanges were marked by an increase in commercial deficit of about 34% resulting from the strong rise in imports by 14.1% and a slight growth of exports by 2%. The upturn in the economic activity is reflected in the increase of 14.3% in the imports of capital goods. To this should be added the rise in the price of oil. With regards to exports, it is worth noting the rise in phosphates exports with, however, a decrease in the exports of the foodstuffs, particularly citrus fruit by 31% and fishery products by 26%. Electronic and textile products remained stable.

Foreign investments and loans

Foreign investments and loans reached 13.3 billions DHs (1.8 billons US $) in 2004. As a result, foreign credits of Bank Almaghreb stood at 16 billions Dhs ( i.e. 2 billions), which enabled to cover about 10 months of imports as well as foreign public debt.

 

 

 

 

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