Industry
From The Report: Morocco 2018
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The need to diversify production capacity and create jobs has been pushing Morocco to invest in its industrial sector. Industrial activities have traditionally focused on agro-industrial production; however, the kingdom is looking to leverage burgeoning segments such as automotive and aeronautics. Outlining the expansion of manufacturing under a series of government-led programmes, a host of emerging business lines are gradually becoming essential for generating exports. Through the creation of interlinked production clusters, both the government and private investors are setting the stage for industries such as automotive production, agro-industry and aeronautic components manufacturing to become central to the economy.

This chapter contains interviews with Amine Louali, President, Moroccan Steel Industry Association and Deputy CEO, Maghreb Steel; Noureddine Gnaou, CEO, Soremar Group; and Benbrahim El Andaloussi, President, Institut des Métiers de l’Aéronautique.

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

New ecosystem: Manufacturing is becoming central to the kingdom’s exports
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The need to diversify production capacity and create jobs has been pushing Morocco to invest in its industrial sector. Outlining the expansion of manufacturing under a series of government-led programmes, a host of emerging sectors are gradually becoming essential for the country’s export capacity. Through the creation of interlinked production clusters, both the government and private investors are setting the stage for areas such as automotive production, agro-industry and aeronautic…

Analysis

A welcoming environment: Special economic zones and industrial parks are attracting more sector investment
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As moves to increase production in the country are executed, private and public operators are being supported by the development of special economic zones (SEZs) that offer tax breaks and a handful of other advantages to ease the import and export of merchandise. In 2016 the government, in a business charter that amended the previous 1995 legislation, committed to establishing new economic areas in all 12 regions of the country. The areas are helping to attract international firms to Morocco…

Interview

Steely determination: Amine Louali, President, Moroccan Steel Industry Association; and Deputy CEO, Maghreb Steel, on the effect of global developments on the domestic market
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Interview:Amine Louali To what extent can Morocco learn from different aspects of the Turkish steel industry model? AMINE LOUALI: The Moroccan steel industry is affected by macroeconomic and geopolitical developments. If there is a devaluation of the lira in Egypt, for example, the domestic industry is directly impacted. All players in the steel market can be either classified as fully integrated, half-integrated or non-integrated: Players that are fully integrated, such as Russia or Brazil,…

Interview

Eyes on the enterprise: Noureddine Gnaou, CEO, Soremar Group, on the state of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)
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Interview:Noureddine Gnaou What is your overall assessment of the regulatory and tax framework for SMEs? NOUREDDINE GNAOU: Everything is becoming more dynamic in the kingdom. In Europe, by contrast, things have barely evolved since the industrial revolution, which was almost two centuries ago. Ambitious governmental reform programmes, such as the Industrial Acceleration Plan, the Green Morocco Plan or Vision 2020, incentivise companies to seek a leadership position in sectors as diverse as…

Analysis

Skills primer: Galvanising manufacturing will depend on a skilled workforce
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With the establishment of ambitious development goals for industries such as aeronautics, automotive and agro-industrial manufacturing, all which have become key contributors to the GDP, the demand for skilled workers has become a key issue. In line with this is the need for the kingdom to reduce unemployment. According to the High Commission for Planning, in the third quarter of 2017 unemployment for women, graduates, and 15 to 24-year olds was at 15.1%, 18.2% and 29.3%, respectively. With…

Interview

A steady climb: Benbrahim El Andaloussi, President, Institut des Métiers de l’Aéronautique (IMA), on the successful development of Morocco’s aeronautics industry
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Interview:Benbrahim El Andaloussi What measures and incentives have contributed to the growth of the aeronautics industry? BENBRAHIM EL ANDALOUSSI: The Moroccan government and the Moroccan Aerospace Industries Association ( Groupement des Industries Marocaines Aéronautiques et Spatiales, GIMAS) initiated an incentive scheme for incorporating foreign companies in the domestic aeronautics industry. These companies also constitute the cornerstone of the 2014-20 Industrial Acceleration…