Doing Business in Morocco by Amine Lasfar

8/3/2019 Doing Business in Morocco by Amine Lasfar

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Doing Business in Morocco

Business Climate, Culture Challengesand Opportunities

Amine Lasfar


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History

Unified by Idrisi dynasty 780974

Alaouite dynasty 1666

current Independence:

- France March 2, 1956

- Spain April 7, 1956


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Map of Morocco


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Current Socio-Demographics

Capital: Rabat Population 36,200,000 (38th) (2009) 39 provinces and 16 regions. Largest provinces: Grand Casablanca 12.1% Smallest province: Oued Ed-Dahab-Lagouira

0.3% Largest Cities: Casablanca 4 Mill Ethnic groups: Arabs - Berbers 99.1%, Jews

0.2%, others 0.7%


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Current Socio-Demographics

Languages: Arabic.

French is neither official nor national, but it is widely used in

official government documents, and by the business community. Amazigh languages.

English

Most people live west of the Atlas Mountains, a rangethat insulates the country from the Sahara Desert.


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Political system Morocco is an Islamic and fully sovereign state.

Morocco is a constitutional monarchy , a parliamentary government.

King: Mohammed VI

Makhzen: Prime Minister

Parliament Assembly of Councilors Assembly of Representatives

Political parties (20 parties)


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Economy Facts GDP (2010):

- Total $103.482 billion- Per capita $3,249

HDI (2010): 0.567 (medium) (114th)

Currency Moroccan dirham (MAD)

1 AUD = MAD 8.3973 1 GBP = MAD 12.79774 1 EUR = MAD 11.29924 1 NZD = MAD 6.42302 1 USD = MAD 7.91357


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Economy Facts Morocco possesses 75% of the world's phosphate

reserves.

It is the world's first exporter (28% of the global market)

and third producer (20% of global production). (316.5billion).

Unemployment (9.6% in 2008)

Labor force by occupation; agriculture 40%,manufacturing 22%, services 35%, other 3% (2000)


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Moroccan Exports Exports:

$14.49 billion

Export goods:

Clothing and textiles, electric components, inorganic chemicals,transistors, crude minerals, fertilizers (including phosphates),petroleum products, citrus fruits, vegetables, fish

Main export partners:

Spain 22.02%, France 20.22%, India 4.91%, Italy 4% (2009)


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Moroccan Imports Imports:

$34.19 billion

Import goods:

Crude petroleum, textile fabric, telecommunications equipment,wheat, gas and electricity, transistors, plastics.

Main import partners:

France 16.95%, Spain 14.72%, China 7.1%, Italy 6.76%, Germany 6.28%,

United States 5.66%, Saudi Arabia 5.11%


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Moroccan Tourism Morocco boasts important natural and historical assets

and a rich and diversified cultural legacy.

In Morocco, increasing priority is being given to tourism

because of its positive economic and social impact.Thegovernment has targeted that Morocco will have 10million visitors by 2012.

Tourist receipts in 2007 totaled US$7,55 billion.

Tourism is the second largest foreign exchangeearner in Morocco, after the phosphate industry.

Low-cost airlines offer cheap flights toMorocco.


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Moroccan Culture When Moroccans greet each other they take their time

and converse about their families, friends, and othergeneral topics.

Say good-bye to each person individually when leaving.

If you are invited to a Moroccan's home:

you can bring a gift such as sweet pastries.

Check to see if your spouse is included in the invitation.Conservative Moroccans may not entertain mixed-sex groups.

Expect to be served mint tea before dinner.


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Moroccan Business Culture Moroccans prefer to do business with those they know and respect.

Since Moroccans judge people on appearances, dress and presentyourself well.

Appointments are necessary and should be made as far in advanceas possible and confirmed a day or two before the meeting.

Try to arrive at meetings on time and be prepared to wait.

French is generally the language of business, although somecompanies use English.

In general, Moroccans have an open-door policy, even duringmeetings.


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Moroccan Business System Companies are hierarchical. The highest ranking person

makes decisions, but only after obtaining a groupconsensus.

Moroccans are looking for long-term businessrelationships.

Decisions are made slowly.

The society is extremely bureaucratic.

Business attire is formal and conservative.

Business cards are given without formal ritual.


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References Kwintessential, Morocco - Language, Culture and Doing Business,

http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/morocco-country-profile.html

Moroccan Portal, maroc.ma

Morocco entry at The World Factbook

Gouvernement du Maroc

Morocco web resources provided by GovPubs at the University of Colorado

Boulder Libraries
http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/morocco-country-profile.htmlhttp://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/morocco-country-profile.htmlhttp://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/morocco-country-profile.htmlhttp://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/morocco-country-profile.htmlhttp://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/morocco-country-profile.htmlhttp://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/morocco-country-profile.htmlhttp://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/morocco-country-profile.htmlhttp://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/morocco-country-profile.htmlhttp://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/morocco-country-profile.html


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Doing Business in Morocco by Amine Lasfar

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