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Morocco World
29-05-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
Morocco Signs $50 Million Investment Deal with Catalan Companies
Rabat — The Moroccan government signed four major investment agreements with Catalan companies on Wednesday, securing a total investment of MAD 500 million ($50 million) that will create over 700 direct jobs. The projects will launch in three key Moroccan cities: Tangier, Tetouan, and Kenitra. This deal marks a significant step forward in strengthening economic ties between Morocco and Spain. High-Level signing ceremony Karim Zidane, Morocco's Deputy Minister for Investment, hosted the signing ceremony in Rabat. Josep Sánchez Llibre, president of Foment del Treball, Catalonia's main business organization, led the Catalan delegation. The investments target four strategic sectors, including automotive manufacturing, waste recovery, industrial packaging, and construction materials. These areas reflect Morocco's growing appeal as an investment destination and its ability to turn economic partnerships into job-creating projects. Morocco positions itself as a regional hub Zidane noted that these projects align with King Mohammed VI's vision to establish Morocco as a competitive industrial and economic hub in Africa and the Mediterranean region. 'We have implemented structural reforms that make investing easier,' Zidane explained, noting three key improvements, namely digital procedures, simplified administration, and stronger Regional Investment Centers (CRIs). Catalonia plans bigger future investment Sánchez Llibre commended the warm reception his delegation received and announced ambitious expansion plans. 'These first projects are just the beginning of a larger, long-term presence in Morocco,' he said. 'We will return within a year with a new delegation of about twenty Catalan companies,' Sanchez Llibre added. Spain-Morocco strengthened economic partnership Spanish Ambassador to Rabat Enrique Ojeda Vila attended the ceremony and celebrated the initiative. He reminded attendees that Morocco and Spain are each other's top economic partners, with strong geographic, historical, and strategic connections. Meanwhile, Adil Rais, co-president of the Morocco-Spain Economic Council (CEMAES), said the agreements reflect both countries' commitment to enhancing a solid investment axis, intending to make Spain Morocco's largest foreign investor. Building on previous success This signing ceremony is a continuation of the bilateral economic promotion work under the 'Morocco Now' initiative. Previous efforts include roadshows in Barcelona in January 2024 and Madrid in April 2025, as well as the first Catalan delegation visit in June 2024. The new investments demonstrate Morocco's success in attracting international partners and transforming diplomatic relationships into concrete economic opportunities that benefit both countries' workers and businesses. Tags: economyInvestment dealMorocco spain
Morocco World
01-05-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
Morocco Offers Up to 30% Tax Incentives for Foreign Investors
Doha – Morocco is increasingly becoming an attractive investment destination as it strengthens economic and cultural ties to neighboring countries. In an interview with Spanish news outlet El Economista, Karim Zidane, Morocco's Minister of Investment, outlined the country's investment strategy and opportunities. 'Morocco has become a reference destination for investment in both Africa and the Mediterranean region, thanks to a combination of structural factors and strategic reforms driven under the vision of His Majesty King Mohammed VI,' said Zidane during the 'Morocco & Spain – Investing Together For a Sustainable & Shared Future' event in Madrid. The forum, organized by the Morocco-Spain Economic Council (CEMAES) in collaboration with Morocco's Ministry of Investment and the Moroccan Agency for Investment and Export Development (AMDIE), aimed to promote joint investment between the two countries. The minister pointed to Morocco's political and macroeconomic stability, strategic geographic location, and modern infrastructure network as key strengths. This includes world-class ports like Tanger Med, high-speed rail networks, and integrated industrial zones. 'Beyond Africa, our continent of belonging, the quality of our infrastructure now rivals that of several European countries, and even surpasses them in some segments,' he noted. Priority investment sectors Priority sectors for investment include the automotive industry, aeronautics, electronics, agribusiness, pharmaceutical and textile industries, and offshoring. Emerging strategic sectors such as renewable energies — particularly green hydrogen — digitalization, information technologies, and circular economy are also gaining importance. The automotive industry has experienced spectacular growth over the past decade, becoming the country's leading export sector. Morocco currently has a complete ecosystem that includes two manufacturers (Renault and Stellantis) and more than 250 major international manufacturers. Regarding renewable energy, Zidane stated that 'more than 40% of our energy mix comes from renewable sources, and we have already built major solar and wind projects in our country, such as the Noor project in Ouarzazate.' Morocco presents major opportunities for investment across energy infrastructure, production, transport, and export. The country has implemented structural reforms to improve its investment climate, with the cornerstone being the new Investment Charter adopted in late 2022. This charter establishes a modern, transparent, and equitable regulatory framework for domestic and international investors. 'Morocco offers incentives that can reach up to 30% of the total investment amount,' Zidane explained. These include direct investment subsidies granted based on each project's characteristics, geographical location, and sector of activity. The country also provides 'tax exemptions for the first years for new companies or those established in specific zones.' World Cup and Industry 4.0 driving growth Zidane also talked about how major international sporting events are accelerating Morocco's development. 'These sectors are experiencing accelerated momentum today, driven by the prospect of major international sporting events that Morocco is preparing to host,' he said. He added that these include the 2025 African Cup of Nations and, above all, the 2030 World Cup 'which we will have the pleasure of organizing jointly with Spain and Portugal.' The minister also addressed the challenges Morocco faces in attracting more foreign investment, including the need for continued development of high-value-added sectors and integration of new technologies in value chains. 'The challenge of education and technical training continues to be relevant, especially in emerging sectors such as renewable energies or Industry 4.0,' Zidane noted. 'To attract more foreign investment, it is essential to continue promoting a highly qualified workforce prepared for the sectors of the future.' He added that the joint World Cup bid with Spain and Portugal 'embodies this spirit and reflects our mutual trust in the ability to build high-level projects together.' Strategic advantage with US and EU trade In the current global climate with changing US trade policies, Morocco finds itself in a unique position. 'The relations between Morocco and the United States are based on historical bonds of trust, reinforced by long-term economic and strategic commitments,' Zidane said. Morocco is the only African country with a free trade agreement with the United States, in effect since 2006, guaranteeing preferential access to the American market for a wide range of goods and services. 'Only nine countries in the world have free trade agreements with both the United States and the European Union, offering a dual gateway to two of the largest global markets,' the minister added. Zidane noted that Morocco was fortunate not to appear on the 'Liberation Day' tariff table introduced by the Trump administration. He sees this as an opportunity for European and Spanish companies to relocate to Morocco to continue exporting to the United States. 'In this new international context, characterized by the search for resilience and diversification, Morocco offers a clear, solid, and future-oriented value proposition,' the minister asserted. He envisions opportunities for trilateral Morocco-Europe-United States co-investment based on complementary advantages and converging strategic interests. In the context of nearshoring, Morocco's proximity to Europe — particularly Spain at just 14 km away — combined with its stability, infrastructure quality, trade openness, and competitive operating costs position it as a natural partner for value chain relocation. 'We propose a model of strategic relocation, based on sustainability, agility, and reinforced regional integration,' Zidane explained. 'Morocco doesn't just bring production centers closer to major markets: it offers a strategic relocation model.' 'The diplomatic relations between Spain and Morocco are going through an exceptional moment, and we have a 'window of opportunity' that we must seize so that economic relations between our countries continue to grow,' Zidane concluded. While Spain has been Morocco's leading trading partner for more than a decade, he believes the potential for investment is even greater. Read also: Morocco Spotlights Investment Opportunities at 'Morocco Now' Conference in Madrid Tags: Foreign investment in MoroccoKarim ZidaneMinistry of Investment
