Doing Business in Morocco
Doing Business in Morocco
U.S. Morocco Free Trade Agreement was signed in 2006
The U.S.-Moroccan Free Trade Agreement (FTA), which went into effect in 2006, is one of the most comprehensive free trade agreements that the U.S. has ever negotiated. Morocco is the second Arab and first African nation to have an FTA with the U.S. The FTA provides U.S. exporters increased access to the Moroccan market by eliminating tariffs on 95% of currently traded consumer and industrial goods and levels the playing field with European competition. It provides enhanced protection for U.S. intellectual property, including trademarks and digital copyrights, expanded protection for patents and product approval information and tough penalties for piracy and counterfeiting. See http://export.gov/FTA/index.asp for information on the FTA with Morocco, as well as the other 11 Free Trade Agreements currently in force.
Morocco is steadily progressing toward greater internal modernization and globalization, with the creation of the country’s first commercial courts, streamlined customs services and 16 Regional Investment Centers dedicated solely to facilitating new business ventures. In 2003, the Moroccan government passed a comprehensive labor code that protects both employers and employees.
Morocco is a Regional Hub
Strategically located along the Strait of Gibraltar just a seven-hour flight from JFK and three hours from Paris, Morocco is seen more and more as a regional hub in North Africa for shipping logistics, assembly, production and sales. The moderate Mediterranean climate on 2,750 miles of coastline and its developing infrastructure make Morocco an attractive location for both business and leisure. In addition to the FTA with the U.S., Morocco has an Association Agreement and Advanced Status with the European Union (EU) as well as bilateral trade agreements with several other countries in Africa and the Middle East. Combined with a well developed distribution and logistics infrastructure, Morocco is positioning itself as a commercial and manufacturing hub for the region.
Increasingly, U.S. companies are looking to Morocco as their hub for Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria and into Sub Saharan Africa. A few U.S. companies have established manufacturing operations in Morocco solely for exports to the European Union.
Morocco Atlantic Bridge Initiative
In October 2011, the U.S. Commercial Service (Department of Commerce International Trade Administration), signed a Morocco Atlantic Bridge Initiative with Morocco. The intent of this Initiative is to education U.S. businesses on the benefits of using Morocco to access incremental markets in the region.
Morocco Country Commercial Guide
Our Country
Commercial Guide presents a comprehensive look at Morocco's commercial
environment, including economic, political, and market analysis. The
up-to-date report covers market conditions, best export prospects, export
financing, assistance in finding distributors, and legal and cultural
issues. Table of contents:
Chapter 1: Doing Business in Morocco
Chapter 2: Political and Economic Environment
Chapter 3: Selling U.S. Products and Services
Chapter 4: Leading Sectors
Chapter 5: Trade Regulations and Standards
Chapter 6: Investment Climate
Chapter 7: Trade and Project Financing
Chapter 8: Business Travel
Chapter 9: Contacts, Market Research and Trade Events
Chapter 10: Guide to Our Services
Download our recent Morocco Country Commercial Guide at: http://export.gov/morocco/doingbusinessinmorocco/index.asp