General Information
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Overview
The Kingdom of Morocco lies on the north western corner of Africa below the Strait of Gibraltar and forms part of the North African Region. The capital city is Rabat. Other major cities are Marrakesh and Fes and the ports of Casablanca and Tangier.
The official language is Arabic and various Berber dialects are spoken. French is widely spoken in business, government and academic circles and Spanish is also spoken in the north. Morocco has a free market economy that has grown by an average of 4% a year since 1983. There is a small but active stock exchange in Casablanca. The local currency is the Moroccan dirham (MDh). (US$ / MDh – current exchange rate).
The international time zone for Morocco is GMT and the international dialling code is +212. The national airline is Royal Air Maroc and numerous international airlines fly to Morocco. The main international airport is at Casablanca and there are 7 other international airports.
Visas are required by most nationals except those of Western European countries, Australia, New Zealand, some South American countries, the USA and Canada, Japan and most Arabic countries.
P>The transport system in most parts of Morocco is well developed with road and rail linkages between all the main centres. The seaports are large and deal with cargo, exports and passengers.
The state of health, the immunisation status, location and the local disease situation leads to the risk of contraction of hepatitis A, malaria (regional), schistosomiasis, tuberculosis, and typhoid fever in Morocco. Only bottled water with unbroken seals should be consumed and tap water should be avoided. Drinking water from “water sellers: should be avoided. Medical services may be very expensive and advance payment may be required. Insurance should be arranged prior to arrival in Morocco and individual risk assessment is recommended.
Economy
Morocco’s oil industry is an important sub-sector in the economy. It has two oil refineries at Sidi Kacem and at Mohammedia. In addition to its oil industry, Morocco has an active chemicals industry, as well as being one of the larger markets in the African lubricants industry.
The tourism industry is growing and brings in a large portion of the country’s foreign exchange earnings. An agreeable climate, changing landscapes and modern tourist resorts along the coast have contributed towards the country’s success as a tourist destination.
The agriculture, fishing and forestry sectors employ over a third of the working population and arable land is used for commercial farming. Growth has been volatile as a result of recurrent drought conditions and unemployment remains high. The manufacturing sector in Morocco is dominated by small enterprises. Handicrafts are an important industry and craft products are exported throughout the world.
The government continues to implement a privatisation programme. Successes in this regard include the sale of a significant clock of government shares in Maroc Telecom and the sale of a cellular telecommunications license. The government has also sold some shares in its automotive manufacturer. Significant strides have also been made to improve the country’s education sector, although the literacy rate for 2002 was 50.7%.
The Moroccan economy is vulnerable to external factors such as the continuing problems in Iraq. GDP in 2002 amounted to US$33.3 billion of which agriculture made up 16.1%, industry 31% and services 35%. The regional unrest and the significant drop in tourism have resulted in economic hardship for Morocco. FDI in 2001 was US$2.7 billion.
International Trade
The main export commodities include citrus fruits, energy, finished products, phosphates phosphoric acid and raw materials. The main import commodities include beverages, energy, intermediate goods, raw materials and tobaccos.
For all imports the import certificate must be registered with an authorised bank, which may make payments on submission of the required documents and the foreign exchange control is administered by the Exchange Bureau. Certain exchange control measures have been delegated to authorised banks.
Imports are open-except for approximately 10 items which require import licences which are issued by the Ministry of Foreign Trade. There is a free trade zone at the port of Tangier and merchandise entering the zone is exempt from customs, fiscal and exchange control.
The Customs tariff is based on the Harmonised Commodity Description and Coding System (HS) of classification.
Memberships (21)
African Development Bank, United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, Islamic Development Bank, International Finance Corporation, International Monetary Fund, The World Bank Group, United Nations, Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency, World Trade Organisation, Arab League Documentation and Information Centre
Exchanges (1)
Casablanca Stock Exchange
Event Venues (5)
Complex Kempinski Hotel, Exchange Office Conference & Exhibition Centre, Hilton-Rabat, Palais des Congres, Sheraton
Facilities (54)
Afourer, Akka, Al – Sharifa, Al Massira, Asilah – Ouezzane Block – Morocco, B. El Ouidane, Benguerir II, Bleida, Block A – My Bousselham – Morocco, Block B – Sidi Fili – Morocco, Block C – Oued Sebou Ouest – Morocco, Block D – Volubilis Est – Morocco, Block E – Fez Nord – Morocco, Block G – Essaouira – Morocco, Block I – Cap Ghir Haute Mer – Morocco, Block J – Sidi Bennour – Morocco, Block K – Foum Draa Maritime – Morocco, Block L – Ras Tafalney – Morocco, Block M – Anza Haute Mer – Morocco, Block Safi Haute Mer – Morocco
Travel Facilities
| Accommodation (50): | Kasbah Hotel Sahara Sky, Ain-Cheggag, Club Med Al Hoceima, La Felouque, Barceló Sangho Club Privilège Marrakech, Best Western Hotel Toubkal, Club Med Agadir, Club Med Marrakech, Club Med Smir, Club Med Yasmina, Complex Kempinski Hotel, Coralia Club Agadir La Kasbah, Coralia Club Marrakech Palmariva, Crowne Plaza Casablanca, Dar El Aïla |
| Attractions (70): | Aghrod Beach, Ali ben Youssef Medersa, Amein Valley Hiking Trails, Andalusian Gardens, Archaeology Museum, Asilah Beach, Azemmour Fort, Bab el-Mansour, Bokkoyas Biosphere Reserve, Borj Nord, Bou Jeloud Gardens, Cap Rhir Beach, Casablanca Beaches, Casablanca Medina, Chefchaouen Medina |
| Transport related (22): | Port of Agadir, Port of Al Hoeceima, Port of Boujdour, Port of Casablanca, Port of Dakhla, Port of El-Jadida, Port of Essaouira, Port of Jebha, Port of Jorf Lasfar, Port of Kenitra-Mehdia, Port of Laayoune, Port of Larache, Port of M’Diq, Port of Mohammeadia, Port of Nador |
