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Morocco World
6 days ago
- Politics
- Morocco World
Portugal: Autonomy Plan is Most Serious, Credible Basis to Resolve Western Sahara Dispute
Rabat — Portugal has renewed its support for Morocco's territorial integrity, describing the Autonomy Plan as the most serious, credible, and constructive basis for resolving the Western Sahara dispute. Portugal asserted its position in a Joint Declaration adopted by Minister of Foreign Affairs Nasser Bourita with his Portuguese counterpart Paulo Rangel following their meeting on Tuesday in Lisbon. The declaration recognized the importance of the Sahara dossier for Morocco and the country's serious and credible efforts within the framework of the UN-led political process to contribute to a political, just, lasting, and mutually acceptable political solution. The meeting served as an opportunity for the two countries to reiterate their determination to cooperate and strengthen bilateral ties. 'The two ministers reaffirmed their support for UN Security Council Resolution 2756, which acknowledges the role and responsibility of the parties in seeking a realistic, pragmatic, and sustainable political solution based on compromise,' the declaration concluded. Portugal has long been among the countries that back Morocco's territorial integrity, endorsing Rabat's autonomy initiative for the Sahara. However, the European country has now moved forward to adopt a stronger and more explicit position, joining a growing chorus of countries that view the Moroccan Autonomy plan as the most serious and the only political solution to end the dispute. Today, over 114 countries around the world back the initiative that Morocco submitted to the UN Security Council in 2007. In the joint declaration, Portugal also commended other initiatives launched by Morocco, including the Atlantic Initiatives, particularly the Process of Atlantic African States and the international royal initiative to facilitate Sahel countries' access to the Atlantic. Portugal also recalled the Nigeria-Morocco Atlantic African Gas pipeline project, a massive endeavor that aims to mobilize gas over 6,000 kilometers from West to North Africa and potentially onto Europe. Minister of Foreign Affairs Paulo Rangel commended Morocco's role as a driver of development and provider of stability in North Africa as well as across the continent. In the joint declaration, Morocco and Portugal also reaffirmed their determination to boost and maintain stability, security, and peace in their respective regions. 'They also reaffirmed their commitment to these principles, as well as to the peaceful resolution of conflicts and the respect for the territorial integrity and sovereignty over states.' According to data compiled by the Observatory of Economic Complexity, trade between the two countries recorded a positive balance. Portugal exported in April €83.5 million worth of goods to Morocco, while it imported €40.4 million from the country. 'In April 2025, the year-on-year decline in Portugal's exports to Morocco was driven mainly by exports of animal or vegetable fats, oils, & waxes (€-4.44M or -100%), iron and steel (€-12.8M or -96.9%), and mineral fuels, mineral oils and products of their distillation (€-22M or -88.9%),' the data said.
eNCA
16-07-2025
- Business
- eNCA
Indonesian shoemakers fear Trump tariffs despite lower levy
At a leather boot shop in the Indonesian city of Bandung, workers handle an order from Texas but owner Etnawati Melani says she fears such business will dwindle when Donald Trump's tariffs hit exports. The United States is Indonesia's biggest market for footwear exports and the American president announced Tuesday he would impose a 19 percent tariff on Southeast Asia's biggest economy. The measure was lower than the initial extra 32 percent Trump threatened in April, and better than the 20 percent he imposed on Vietnam. But Etnawati, who had plans to expand her business to the United States, said her focus would now shift to other markets. AFP | Timur MATAHARI "I have to develop a new strategy. Perhaps we have to diversify our markets, products, and so on. If it's possible to enter (the US market), but... not in large quantities at first, that's it," she told AFP. "We can't rely solely on the US. There's still many markets in the world. We can still shift. "I plan to shift focus to Japan and Russian partners." In return for a lower tariff, Indonesia pledged billions to increase energy, agriculture and merchandise imports from the United States and Trump said Jakarta had pledged to buy 50 Boeing jets. It remains unclear when the new tariff rate Trump announced will come into effect and reaction from Indonesian officials has been muted while President Prabowo Subianto travels home from a Europe visit. AFP | Timur MATAHARI But chief negotiator Airlangga Hartarto, after meeting top US officials in Washington, said last week that the talks had been "positive". Prabowo suggested after the initial tariff threat in April that Trump was maybe helping Jakarta by causing it to re-think its trade surplus with the world's top economy. Data from the US Trade Representative office shows Washington's goods trade deficit with Indonesia was $17.9 billion in 2024, up 5.4 percent from the year before. - 'I'm worried' - Indonesia is the third-largest footwear exporter to the US behind China and Vietnam, according to the Observatory of Economic Complexity. So any new tariff was likely to damage business -- particularly in Bandung, where its shoe scene is well-known internationally for beautifully hand-crafted quality leather boots. AFP | Timur MATAHARI Economists in Indonesia hit out at the deal with Washington, which Trump says would get tariff-free access in return. "This is not an agreement. It's... a one-sided agreement," Jakarta-based Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) executive director Yose Rizal Damuri told AFP on Wednesday. But he predicted American consumers would likely bear the costs more than Indonesian businesses, with Trump's tariffs sweeping across many countries. "The United States itself will be the one more affected. Prices will rise," he said. Data on Tuesday showed US inflation spiked in June as the tolls kicked on. The shop's more seasoned workers such as Jajang -- who goes by one name -- have already experienced the ups and downs of business, with the Covid-19 pandemic hitting sales, and seeing dozens of colleagues laid off and several dying. "I don't know about that issue, the important thing is that I work here," said the 53-year-old when asked about Trump's levies. Others aware of the Trump threat to Indonesian exports were more concerned. One of Etnawati's workers, Lili Suja'i, chipped away at a new set of boots for the three-pair Texan order -- riding boots, medium casual boots and loafers -- in a workshop adjacent to the store. He said he feared US customers would be put off by higher costs, with the shop his main income for his family of three. But the shoemakers are ready to fulfil any orders from Americans willing to pay the extra price. "I'm worried, yes, but before placing an order, we negotiate the shipping costs and prices with the customer," the 38-year-old said. "So, we've already made a deal. If they're OK with it, we'll do it." By Yuli Krisna
Business Times
16-07-2025
- Business
- Business Times
Indonesian shoemakers fear Trump tariffs despite lower levy
[BANDUNG] At a leather boot shop in the Indonesian city of Bandung, workers handle an order from Texas but owner Etnawati Melani says she fears such business will dwindle when Donald Trump's tariffs hit exports. The United States is Indonesia's biggest market for footwear exports and the American president announced on Tuesday (Jul 15) he would impose 19 per cent tolls on top of a baseline 10 per cent for South-east Asia's biggest economy. The measure was lower than the initial extra 32 per cent Trump threatened in April, and better than the 20 per cent he imposed on Vietnam. But Etnawati, who had plans to expand her business to the United States, said her focus would now shift to other markets. 'I have to develop a new strategy. Perhaps we have to diversify our markets, products, and so on. If it's possible to enter (the US market), but... not in large quantities at first, that's it,' she told AFP. 'We can't rely solely on the US. There's still many markets in the world. We can still shift. A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU Friday, 2 pm Lifestyle Our picks of the latest dining, travel and leisure options to treat yourself. Sign Up Sign Up 'I plan to shift focus to Japan and Russian partners.' In return for a lower tariff, Indonesia pledged billions to increase energy, agriculture and merchandise imports from the US and Trump said Jakarta had pledged to buy 50 Boeing jets. It remains unclear when the new tariff rate Trump announced will come into effect and reaction from Indonesian officials has been muted while President Prabowo Subianto travels home from a Europe visit. But chief negotiator Airlangga Hartarto, after meeting top US officials in Washington, said last week that the talks had been 'positive'. Prabowo suggested after the initial tariff threat in April that Trump was maybe helping Jakarta by causing it to re-think its trade surplus with the world's top economy. Data from the US Trade Representative office shows Washington's goods trade deficit with Indonesia was US$17.9 billion in 2024, up 5.4 per cent from the year before. Indonesia is the third-largest footwear exporter to the US behind China and Vietnam, according to the Observatory of Economic Complexity. So any new tariff was likely to damage business – particularly in Bandung, where its shoe scene is well-known internationally for beautifully hand-crafted quality leather boots. Economists in Indonesia hit out at the deal with Washington, which Trump says would get tariff-free access in return. 'This is not an agreement. It's... a one-sided agreement,' Jakarta-based Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) executive director Yose Rizal Damuri told AFP on Wednesday. But he predicted American consumers would likely bear the costs more than Indonesian businesses, with Trump's tariffs sweeping across many countries. 'The United States itself will be the one more affected. Prices will rise,' he said. Data on Tuesday showed US inflation spiked in June as the tolls kicked on. The shop's more seasoned workers such as Jajang – who goes by one name – have already experienced the ups and downs of business, with the Covid-19 pandemic hitting sales, and seeing dozens of colleagues laid off and several dying. 'I don't know about that issue, the important thing is that I work here,' said the 53-year-old when asked about Trump's levies. Others aware of the Trump threat to Indonesian exports were more concerned. One of Etnawati's workers, Lili Suja'i, chipped away at a new set of boots for the three-pair Texan order – riding boots, medium casual boots and loafers – in a workshop adjacent to the store. He said he feared US customers would be put off by higher costs, with the shop his main income for his family of three. But the shoemakers are ready to fulfil any orders from Americans willing to pay the extra price. 'I'm worried, yes, but before placing an order, we negotiate the shipping costs and prices with the customer,' the 38-year-old said. 'So, we've already made a deal. If they're OK with it, we'll do it.' AFP
Int'l Business Times
16-07-2025
- Business
- Int'l Business Times
Indonesian Shoemakers Fear Trump Tariffs Despite Lower Levy
At a leather boot shop in the Indonesian city of Bandung, workers handle an order from Texas but owner Etnawati Melani says she fears such business will dwindle when Donald Trump's tariffs hit exports. The United States is Indonesia's biggest market for footwear exports and the American president announced Tuesday he would impose 19 percent tolls on top of a baseline 10 percent for Southeast Asia's biggest economy. The measure was lower than the initial extra 32 percent Trump threatened in April, and better than the 20 percent he imposed on Vietnam. But Etnawati, who had plans to expand her business to the United States, said her focus would now shift to other markets. "I have to develop a new strategy. Perhaps we have to diversify our markets, products, and so on. If it's possible to enter (the US market), but... not in large quantities at first, that's it," she told AFP. "We can't rely solely on the US. There's still many markets in the world. We can still shift. "I plan to shift focus to Japan and Russian partners." In return for a lower tariff, Indonesia pledged billions to increase energy, agriculture and merchandise imports from the US and Trump said Jakarta had pledged to buy 50 Boeing jets. It remains unclear when the new tariff rate Trump announced will come into effect and reaction from Indonesian officials has been muted while President Prabowo Subianto travels home from a Europe visit. But chief negotiator Airlangga Hartarto, after meeting top US officials in Washington, said last week that the talks had been "positive". Prabowo suggested after the initial tariff threat in April that Trump was maybe helping Jakarta by causing it to re-think its trade surplus with the world's top economy. Data from the US Trade Representative office shows Washington's goods trade deficit with Indonesia was $17.9 billion in 2024, up 5.4 percent from the year before. Indonesia is the third-largest footwear exporter to the US behind China and Vietnam, according to the Observatory of Economic Complexity. So any new tariff was likely to damage business -- particularly in Bandung, where its shoe scene is well-known internationally for beautifully hand-crafted quality leather boots. Economists in Indonesia hit out at the deal with Washington, which Trump says would get tariff-free access in return. "This is not an agreement. It's... a one-sided agreement," Jakarta-based Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) executive director Yose Rizal Damuri told AFP on Wednesday. But he predicted American consumers would likely bear the costs more than Indonesian businesses, with Trump's tariffs sweeping across many countries. "The United States itself will be the one more affected. Prices will rise," he said. Data on Tuesday showed US inflation spiked in June as the tolls kicked on. The shop's more seasoned workers such as Jajang -- who goes by one name -- have already experienced the ups and downs of business, with the Covid-19 pandemic hitting sales, and seeing dozens of colleagues laid off and several dying. "I don't know about that issue, the important thing is that I work here," said the 53-year-old when asked about Trump's levies. Others aware of the Trump threat to Indonesian exports were more concerned. One of Etnawati's workers, Lili Suja'i, chipped away at a new set of boots for the three-pair Texan order -- riding boots, medium casual boots and loafers -- in a workshop adjacent to the store. He said he feared US customers would be put off by higher costs, with the shop his main income for his family of three. But the shoemakers are ready to fulfil any orders from Americans willing to pay the extra price. "I'm worried, yes, but before placing an order, we negotiate the shipping costs and prices with the customer," the 38-year-old said. "So, we've already made a deal. If they're OK with it, we'll do it." An artisan works on a pair of leather boots at the workshop of Tegep Boots in Bandung, West Java AFP The United States is Indonesia's biggest market for footwear exports and the American president announced Tuesday he would impose 19 percent tolls on top of a baseline 10 percent for Southeast Asia's biggest economy AFP An artisan works on a pair of leather boots for the US market at the workshop of Tegep Boots AFP
Morocco World
02-07-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
Multisectoral Partnership Drives India-Morocco Ties Forward, More Growth on Horizon
Rabat – Guided by King Mohammed VI's vision, Morocco's diplomacy has positioned the North African country as a key player and a strategic partner on the global stage. Through an almost octopus-like approach to foreign policy, Morocco's diplomacy has proven influential from north to south and west to east, creating strategic relations across continents. The country's multidirectional diplomacy enabled Morocco to not only deepen its partnership in Africa and Europe but also expand toward global powerhouses like India, a leader in many sectors, including information technology, exports, and innovation. Beyond diplomatic ties Recent data from the Indian government noted that the country's exports have reached $778.21 billion in 2023-2024. The number represents a 67% increase from 466.22 billion in 2013-2014, the same data shows, attributing the situation to India's 'expanding role in global trade, driven by strong performances in both merchandise and services exports.' Morocco's stability, appealing business environment, and advanced infrastructure make the country an ideal partner for countries across the world, especially those seeking to expand into new markets. For world leaders, a presence in Morocco means access to a fast-growing market, Africa — a continent with vast untapped potential in all industries, including agriculture. The continent's agriculture sector covers vast arable lands that remain underutilized, offering significant opportunities that could serve the continent's food security. Morocco's high-value sectors, like aeronautics and automotive, as well as the renewable energy industry, also provide fertile ground for both existing and potential. Multisectoral partnerships Statistics from different sources, including the Observatory of Economic Complexity (OEC), have confirmed an already strong tie between India and Morocco. The observatory indicated that India exported $101 million to Morocco in March 2025. Meanwhile, the country imported $46 million as of March, with the observatory stressing that this resulted in a positive trade balance of $55.3 million. 'Between March 2024 and March 2025, the exports of India to Morocco increased by $8.15M (8.75%) from $93.1M to $101M, while imports decreased by $57.8M (55.7%) from $104M to $46M,' the data shows. India's main exports to Morocco include drug formulations, motor vehicles, cars, and biologicals. In 2020, Morocco exported $1.39 billion to India, with the main products exported covering phosphoric acid, mixed mineral or chemical fertilizers. Over the past 25 years, Moroccan exports to India strengthened at an annual rate of 6.25%, jumping from $306 million in 1995 to $1.39 billion in 2020. In 2020, meanwhile, India exported $623 million to Morocco, with imports including refined petroleum, packaged medicines, and cars. India's exports to the North African country reached an annual rate of 11.8%, jumping from $38.9 million in 1995 to $623 million. India's private industry increasingly sees Morocco as an attractive investment destination. Over the years, the number of Indian companies operating in Morocco has grown from 12 to 40, with businesses from the Asian country focusing on different sectors, including automotive, IT, green technologies, and hospitality. Some notable Indian companies operating in the North African country include Tata Motors, Sterling and Wilson, Larsen and Toubro, Sumilon, Furnace Fabrica, among several others. Morocco's appealing sectors In March, India's main imports from Morocco were fertilizers, which represent a key cornerstone sector in Morocco's economy. The North African country positioned itself as a global leader in fertilizer production, as it is home to over 70% of the world's phosphate reserves. In 2023, Morocco's fertilizer giant OCP Group announced a deal with India to supply the Asian country with 1.7 million metric tonnes of phosphate-based fertilizer. Under the deal, OCP announced it will supply 700,000 tonnes of fertilizers to the country. OCP emphasized that the fertilizers would be tailored to meet the needs of farmers' soil, with another one million tonnes to be supplied directly to farmers. Beyond fertilizers, Morocco is considered a powerhouse in other sectors, including the automotive industry, competing with key players like China and India. The Moroccan government is also confident that its automotive sector has the potential to be more competitive than these countries. Recently, Morocco's Minister of Industry, Ryad Mezzour, announced that the country's automotive production stands at 700,000 vehicles. The minister said that Morocco is expected to produce one million vehicles by the end of the year. Morocco's proximity to Europe and its position as a gateway to Africa attract dozens of industrial companies from all sectors, including automotive. Free zones across Kenitra, Tangier, Casablanca, and beyond host major automotive companies, including Renault, Stellantis, Yazaki, and more. Indian companies are also establishing a presence in the North African country, including Motherson Group. In 2022, the group opened its new site in Tangier Med, with a focus on producing instrument panels and door panels for passenger and light commercial vehicles. During the opening ceremony, the group emphasized Morocco's position as a strategic location for Motherson due to its proximity to Europe and the Middle East, noting that the new facility allows it to better serve its existing and new customers in the regions. Beyond the automotive sector, the partnership between Morocco and India also extends into different areas like defense and military collaboration. Expanding into defense and beyond In 2024, Moroccan military officials, including Abdellatif Loudidyi, Morocco's Minister Delegate in charge of national defense administration, highlighted the importance of bilateral ties and stressed how the two countries have 'every potential to pursue their positive momentum in various fields, including defense.' He also renewed Morocco's commitment to providing favorable conditions for Indian defense companies, vowing zero bureaucracy and profitability. 'We want you in Morocco, we will support you, ' Loudyi said, according to the Hindu. A strategic partnership in defense has already begun to take shape between the North African country and India's Tata Group. The military deal included a shipment of 90 military trucks. In September 2024, Morocco's military and TATA Advanced Systems Limited teamed up to produce the WhAP 8×8 armored combat vehicle domestically. The Moroccan Ministry of Defense said the project is a systematic step toward deepening the historical ties between Morocco and India. All of the aforementioned agreements and partnerships stem from strong diplomatic ties between the two countries. Many officials from both countries stressed the importance of these relations in forging further agreements benefiting New Delhi and Rabat at all levels. In May, a senior diplomat from the Indian embassy in Rabat emphasized the importance of ties between the two countries. In an exclusive statement to Morocco World News (MWN), the official warmly welcomed Morocco's place as a strategic ally to India. 'India and Morocco share a time-tested and resilient partnership built on deep mutual respect, strategic convergence, and shared quest for the well-being and prosperity of our citizens,' the official who preferred to speak under a condition of anonymity said. 'We value its stability, moderation, and deep ties to multiple regions,' the official added. The same remarks were echoed by the former Indian ambassador to Morocco in 2024 during the MWN-led initiative Rabat Networking Day (RND) in January, when Rajesh Vaishnaw celebrated the strong bilateral ties between Rabat and New Delhi. Commenting on ties between Morocco and India, Vaishnaw described them as 'friendly and close.' King's visit brought momentum to ties The former ambassador emphasized that relations have been strengthened, particularly after the landmark visit of King Mohammed VI to India in 2015. According to the Moroccan embassy in India, Morocco 'was an unknown destination for Indians for business and investment' for a long time . 'However, since the historic visit to India of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God Assist Him, in October 2015 on the occasion of the 3rd Summit of the India-Africa Forum, the Kingdom of Morocco has become increasingly present in the radar of the Indian business community and Indian multinationals in particular,' the embassy said. Most recently, reports resurfaced about a potential visit by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in early July as part of his potential five-nation diplomatic tour. However, a high-level source from the Indian embassy in Rabat familiar with the matter told MWN that the visit is unlikely to take place as such a visit should be well-planned. Similar high-level visits bring further momentum to relations between countries. A potential visit in the future by Modi could bring further momentum to Morocco-India relations, especially if India moves beyond its traditional position and joins the growing number of powers in recognizing Morocco's sovereignty over its southern provinces in Western Sahara. A shift towards full recognition or support for Morocco's Autonomy Plan as the most serious and credible political solution to the dispute would place India alongside over 113 countries, including the US, UK, France, and Spain. Morocco has constantly emphasized how Western Sahara is the lens through which Rabat views its relations and cooperation with other countries.
