Latest news with #InvestmentCharter
Ya Biladi
5 days ago
- Business
- Ya Biladi
Investment week for Moroccans abroad kicks off at Regional Investment Centers
To mark the National Day of Moroccans Living Abroad, celebrated annually on August 10, the Ministry of Investment, Convergence, and Evaluation of Public Policies is launching a dedicated week for Moroccans around the world (MDM) across all twelve Regional Investment Centers (CRIs). The initiative will run from August 11 to 15, in line with royal directives emphasizing the importance of engaging the Moroccan diaspora by recognizing their expertise, encouraging investment, strengthening their ties to Morocco, and supporting their full contribution to national economic development, according to a press release. As part of this effort, the Regional Investment Center of the Marrakech-Safi region, like its counterparts across the country, is preparing to welcome Moroccans from abroad with investment projects. «In addition to the year-round support already available, a dedicated team will be on hand each day from August 11 to 15, between 11:00 AM and 12:30 PM, to present regional investment opportunities, explain incentives under the new Investment Charter, and assist in structuring high-potential projects», the center told Yabiladi. This initiative complements the new Investment Charter, which aims to boost regional attractiveness by simplifying procedures and promoting productive investment. It also aligns with the ongoing Marhaba 2025 operation, which has seen record numbers of Moroccans returning home this summer. In this context, the Investment Week for Moroccans around the world is part of a broader, integrated program to welcome members of the diaspora. The program includes interactive sessions, territorial investment briefings, and showcases of regional project banks. Direct meetings will also provide a platform for addressing questions from Moroccans living abroad.
Morocco World
23-06-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
Karim Zidane Represents King at US-Africa Business Summit in Angola
Marrakech – Karim Zidane, Morocco's Investment Minister, is representing King Mohammed VI at the 17th US-Africa Business Summit that opened Monday in Luanda, Angola. Zidane heads a significant delegation of public and private sector leaders, including officials from the Moroccan Agency for Investment and Export Development (AMDIE), the National Office of Hydrocarbons and Mines (ONHYM), and the National Railway Office (ONCF). The delegation also includes representatives from the General Confederation of Moroccan Enterprises (CGEM), MEDZ, MARSA Maroc, and Moroccan banks. The summit has drawn more than 1,500 participants, including African heads of state, ministers, economic and political decision-makers, and private sector representatives. The gathering serves as a major platform for economic dialogue and building sustainable strategic partnerships between the United States and the continent's emerging powerhouses. Morocco's participation aligns with King Mohammed VI's directives to strengthen the North African country's economic partnerships with African countries and international partners. The delegation aims to showcase reforms undertaken by Rabat to enhance its economic attractiveness, particularly the implementation of the new Investment Charter. The Moroccan representatives will promote opportunities in strategic sectors including renewable energy, automotive manufacturing, aeronautics, agro-industry, and green technologies. Morocco offers investors incentives that can reach up to 30% of the total investment amount through direct subsidies based on project characteristics, geographical location, and sector. The country also provides tax exemptions for new companies or those established in specific zones. With more than 40% of its energy mix coming from renewable sources, Morocco has built major solar and wind projects, including the Noor project in Ouarzazate. The automotive sector has become the country's leading export sector, with a complete ecosystem that includes two manufacturers (Renault and Stellantis) and more than 250 major international suppliers. Morocco holds a unique strategic advantage as one of only nine countries worldwide with free trade agreements with both the United States and the European Union, offering investors preferential access to two of the largest global markets. The North African country's foreign direct investment (FDI) rose by 55% in 2024, reaching $1.64 billion compared to $1.05 billion in 2023. The free trade agreement with the United States, in effect since 2006, has significantly boosted bilateral trade, which increased sixfold from $1.3 billion in 2006 to $7.2 billion in 2023. In 2024, US goods exports to Morocco reached $5.3 billion, representing a 37.3% rise from the previous year, while US imports from Morocco totaled $1.9 billion, with a 12.3% increase from 2023, making the Maghreb country one of America's main trading partners in Africa. Tags: Karim ZidaneMorocco and AfricaMorocco and the US
Ya Biladi
23-06-2025
- Business
- Ya Biladi
Karim Zidane represents King Mohammed VI at the U.S.-Africa Business Summit
The Minister Delegate to the Head of Government in charge of Investment, Convergence, and the Evaluation of Public Policies, Karim Zidane, is representing King Mohammed VI at the 17th U.S.-Africa Business Summit, which opened on Monday in Luanda, Angola. Zidane is leading a Moroccan delegation that includes senior officials and leaders from both the public and private sectors, such as the Moroccan Agency for Investment and Export Development (AMDIE), the National Office of Hydrocarbons and Mines (ONHYM), the National Railways Office (ONCF), the General Confederation of Moroccan Enterprises (CGEM), along with MEDZ, MARSA Maroc, and representatives from Moroccan banks. Morocco's participation aims to showcase the country's ongoing economic reforms, particularly the implementation of its new Investment Charter, which seeks to boost the kingdom's attractiveness in key sectors such as renewable energy, automotive, aerospace, agro-industry, and green technologies. In this spirit of partnership, Morocco is positioning itself as a key player in global value chains, drawing on its strong economic ties and sustainable partnership with the United States, reinforced by the Free Trade Agreement in place since 2006. With over 1,500 participants—including heads of state, ministers, business leaders, and policymakers—the Summit serves as a major platform for economic dialogue and the development of lasting strategic partnerships between the United States and African nations.
Euronews
02-06-2025
- Business
- Euronews
The Big Question: Why should Europe look to invest in Morocco?
Morocco had the fifth highest GDP in Africa in 2024, according to Statista. At the same time, S&P Global Ratings upgraded the country's credit rating to BB+ with a positive outlook, replacing the previously stable outlook. This gives the country the third highest rating on the continent, after Botswana and Mauritius, which are the only nations to achieve 'investment grade status'. According to S&P, the BB+ status denotes an expectation that 'the Kingdom will strengthen its track record of implementing reforms to support growth and reduce its deficits.' This aligns with the country's conscious efforts to attract foreign direct investment and establish itself as a gateway between Europe and Africa. In this episode of The Big Question, Euronews' business editor Angela Barnes is joined by Ali Seddiki, general director of the Moroccan Agency for Investment and Export Development (AMDIE), to discuss the country's future role in the global economy. As Europe grapples with competitiveness challenges and uncertainty over its future economic relationship with the US, it is crucial for the bloc to explore other strategic partnerships. 'When we discuss with our European counterparts, we understand that green and ESG-compatible industries are important for Europeans. They are also looking for additional cost-efficiency, competitiveness, and also for future markets,' Mr Sedikki told The Big Question. 'Africa is also the market of the future [...] and clearly we think that Morocco is part of the solution for the European companies.' Morocco's Investment Charter, first introduced in 2022, seeks 'to raise the share of private investment to two-thirds of total investment by 2035.' The charter implemented investment support mechanisms, an improved business climate by simplifying processes and bureaucracy, improved governance so all regions can benefit, tax incentives and legal safeguards. 'It works on creating a suitable environment for investors, less bureaucracy, more efficiency,' Mr Sedikki explained. The country also created a Ministry for Investors and AMDIE 'to help investors and provide end-to-end services and we work as a one-stop shop for any kind of investor,' he added. Morocco has a growing green energy industry, with a particular focus on wind and solar. The Kingdom is aiming to source at least 52% of its electricity from renewables by 2030, positioning itself as a regional leader in the energy transition in Africa. 'What we want to make sure of is that this potential is used to positively impact the Moroccan economy,' Mr Seddiki noted. 'We have a great young population entering the job market, that's a huge opportunity, but also it's a challenge, we need to create jobs. So now the strategy is how can we leverage our natural, sustainable resources in order to create sustainable jobs for our young people entering the job market?' The Big Questionis a series from Euronews Business where we sit down with industry leaders and experts to discuss some of the most important topics on today's agenda. Watch the video above to see the full discussion with the Moroccan Agency for Investment and Export Development. UK house prices edged up slightly to 3.5% on an annual basis in May, up from 3.4% in April, according to Nationwide's latest House Price Index report. This was ahead of analyst estimates of 2.9%, pointing to a still-resilient UK housing market, despite cost challenges following stamp duty threshold decreases at the start of April. On a month-on-month basis, UK house prices jumped 0.5% in May, bouncing back from a -0.6% fall in April. This was more than the 0.1% increase expected by the market as well. The average UK house price was £273,427 (€324,232.5) in May, up from £270,752 (€321,053.7) in April. Nationwide's chief economist, Robert Gardner, said in the May house price index report on the company's website: 'Official data confirmed that there was a significant jump in residential property transactions in March, with buyers bringing forward their purchases to avoid additional stamp duty costs. 'Owner occupier house purchase completions were around twice as high as usual and the highest since June 2021, which was also impacted by stamp duty changes.' He also noted that mortgage approval data suggests market activity has remained resilient following the end of the stamp duty holiday, with underlying UK housing market conditions staying robust despite broader global economic volatility Alice Haine, personal finance analyst at online investment platform Bestinvest by Evelyn Partners, said in an email note to Euronews: 'While some buyers are clearly pushing ahead with their purchase journey, others may now be mulling their options more carefully as higher costs pose a fresh challenge. Lower stamp duty thresholds have the biggest impact on first-time buyers as they must now save enough to cover a potentially sizable tax bill in addition to their deposit.' She noted that this may encourage lenders to offer 100% mortgages to help first-time buyers get started on the property ladder, especially as several loan providers have already relaxed their requirements in an effort to draw more clients. Falling interest rates as the Bank of England loosens monetary policy somewhat has also helped borrowing conditions, although sticky-high inflation may slow progress. Businesses passing on higher employment costs to consumers, mainly because of changing US tariff conditions, could impact the housing market as well. 'Uncertainty is becoming the new normal and for many first-time buyers or home movers looking to refinance their existing mortgage soon, it may be better to push ahead with a purchase rather than wait for the ideal borrowing conditions,' Haine noted. "Plus, the traditional surge in listings at this time of year is a positive buyers can take advantage of, as a wider stock of homes to choose from raises the potential for heavier negotiation on price,' she added. According to a recent special report by Nationwide, average house prices in mainly rural areas have continued to grow faster than more urban areas, rising 23% between December 2019 and December 2024. This is compared to an 18% increase in mainly urban areas. Nationwide's chief economist, Robert Gardner, highlighted: 'The pandemic had a significant impact on housing demand during 2021 and 2022, with a shift in preferences towards more rural areas, particularly amongst older age groups. Whilst these effects have now faded, less urban areas have continued to hold the edge in terms of house price growth.' The report also revealed that among house owners who have moved in the last five years, 63% moved within the same type of area, mainly between large towns or cities. 9% of homeowners moved to rural areas such as hamlets or villages from towns and cities, whereas 7% did the opposite. Perhaps unsurprisingly, younger movers between the ages of 25 and 34 preferred to move to more urban localities, whereas older people, especially above 55 moved to more rural places.
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
