The resumption of foreign direct investments (FDI) in Morocco is confirmed with a record of 13.1 billion dirhams (MMDH) at the end of April, thus consolidating the Kingdom’s position as a regional hub and preferred destination for investors.
Indeed, according to the Office des Changes, the net flow of FDI stood at nearly MAD 8.25 billion during the first four months of this year, compared to MAD 5.55 billion at the end of April 2023, marking an increase of 48.6% year-on-year.
This positive dynamic, the fruit of long-term work, is only the beginning of the efforts of the authorities to upgrade the legal framework governing the act of investing in Morocco and, thus, make it one of of the most competitive platforms in the region.
And the results are already palpable: FDI is flowing to Morocco in various sectors such as automobiles, aeronautics, real estate, tourism, transport, energy, mining and trade.
For economist Mohamed Jadri, this performance can be explained by several factors that have made Morocco a leader in international industries, notably automobiles and aeronautics.
Among these factors, he specifies, quality infrastructure, competent human capital, a favorable business climate, strong local integration, as well as great competitiveness.
“The world is beginning to emerge from the period of inflation that began in April 2021. Today, inflation rates are considered acceptable, which encourages investors to mobilize their capital, as investment costs and credit interest rates are affordable,” explained Mr. Jadri.
In addition, he also noted that Morocco stands out on the world stage in the field of renewable energies, particularly wind and solar, with exceptional capacities placing it among the top five in the world in this sector.
On the other hand, “Morocco’s new Investment Charter offers foreign investors sectoral, territorial or common subsidies of up to 30% of the total investment budget, which constitutes a strong incentive,” he said. he noted.
And to emphasize that free trade agreements play a crucial role in the attractiveness of FDI. In addition, the products resulting from these investments benefit from the “Made In Morocco” label, giving them significant customs advantages with the European Union, the United States and other countries.
At the same time, the expert in economic policy and geoeconomics, Ahmed Khalid Benomar, focused on the entry into force in 2023 of the new investment charter and the holding of the first investment commissions within this framework.
“The mobilization of public authorities has enabled the signing of important contracts in various strategic areas for Morocco, such as industries, renewable energies and projects linked to electric mobility,” he noted.
According to him, “this dynamic is starting to bear fruit, and we can anticipate a strengthening of FDI thanks to recent strategic projects, particularly in the electric mobility ecosystem with the largest Gigafactory in Africa and the units linked to the chain. value of the battery”. Thus, these initiatives should strengthen Morocco’s positioning on global value chains, create employment opportunities for tens of thousands of young Moroccans, particularly qualified jobs, and ensure the transfer of technologies, thus contributing to achieving the new development model of the country.
It is clear that all the signals are green for Morocco to continue to attract more FDI, thus strengthening its position as a major center of attractiveness for international investors seeking new dynamic markets in strategic sectors.
