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Morocco

High on its status as one of the few African States that got an FTA with Washington, and aware of the country’s pivotal position between the US and the EU (with whom it also has a privileged trade relationship through an FTA), the government of Morocco is somewhat bullish about FTAs and its own role in promoting them in Africa and the Arab world.

Apart from the US and the EU, it has signed deals with the EFTA group, Mercosur, Turkey and the UAE. Regionally, it is an active party to the Agadir Agreement as well as GAFTA. The kingdom is negotiating a new deal with Singapore and Mauritania and may start talks with Vietnam. It also secured a significant trade and investment deal with the West African Monetary Union — where Morocco-based corporations plan to expand and invest in banking, telecommunications and other sectors — in late November 2008. A recently signed agricultural free trade agreement with the EU has been opposed by small farmers in Europe and human rights organizations who charge that the deal promotes the exploitation of the disputed territory of Western Sahara.

last update: May 2012
photo: Mohammenko/CC BY-SA 3.0


Signs of an emerging France-Algeria-Tunisia axis to restrain Morocco
The visit was thus a telling declaration of intentions from both the Tunisian and Algerian regimes, who have ever since appeared to be striving to deepen bilateral ties to form a Maghrebi bloc to undermine Morocco’s strategic interests.
Tension between Tunis and Rabat risks affecting economic ties
The diplomatic tensions between Rabat and Tunis due to the support shown by Kais Saied to the Polisario separatist militias could spill over to economic ties between the two countries.
Angola seeks to strengthen relations with Morocco
The agreements have been technically finalized and cover cooperation on avoidance of double taxation, air services, reciprocal protection of investment, and trade cooperation.
Morocco denies a revision of free trade agreements with Tunisia and Egypt
Moroccan Minister of Trade denied the information published according to which Rabat was working on a revision of the free trade agreements (FTA) signed with Tunisia and Egypt.
UK to face judical review of Morocco trade deal, after high court allows challenge over Western Sahara
A group campaigning for the rights of Western Sahara’s Saharawi people has been granted permission by the High Court in London to bring a judicial review against the UK government’s trade deal with Morocco.
Israel, Morocco sign economic trade cooperation agreement after peace deal
The agreement establishes a framework for cooperation in the fields of economics, trade and innovation, with both sides aiming to increase bilateral trade and remove trade barriers.
Israel plans a free trade agreement with Morocco, Amir Peretz says
Israel aspires to sign a free trade agreement with Morocco, Israeli Minister of Economy Amir Peretz said.
Morocco-Turkey FTA: Rabat restores tariffs on 1200 Turkish products
The Moroccan Government approved an amendment of the Morocco-Turkey Free Trade Agreement, increasing tariffs by up to 90% on 1200 Turkish goods for a five-year period.
Turkey approves to amend free trade agreement with Morocco
Morocco has succeeded in convincing Turkey to review a list of Moroccan complaints on a free trade agreement between the countries, said the trade minister.
Morocco begins talks to curb trade deficit with Turkey
Morocco and Turkey agreed to review their free trade deal as Rabat struggles to curb its roughly $2 billion annual trade deficit with Ankara.