Morocco continues its efforts to reduce the trade deficit, which stands at approximately $25 billion. The country has launched regional consultations to develop a foreign trade action plan for 2025 and 2026. The objective is to increase Moroccan exports and decrease the trade deficit caused by the rise in imports.
In this endeavor, Morocco aims to achieve a balance among the regions contributing to exports. Omar Hajira, the Secretary of State in charge of foreign trade, revealed during the recent oral question session in the House of Representatives that 85% of Moroccan exports originate from only three regions.
Hajira emphasized that this fact "highlights the need to achieve a balance among regions at the national level," signaling a desire to encourage other regions to boost their exports. This would contribute to Morocco's total exports and help reduce the trade deficit.
He further noted that the regional consultations for preparing the foreign trade action plan (2025-2026) resulted in 524 proposals. Of these, 80% came from the regions, while 20% (113 proposals) were generated centrally.
According to Hajira, the proposals primarily focused on improving competitiveness, simplifying procedures, supporting businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises, diversifying export markets—especially in Africa—and strengthening and sustaining the export sector.
Hajira added that these consultations involved all central-level stakeholders, including the General Confederation of Moroccan Enterprises, the Exporters' Association, professional federations, and heads of chambers of commerce, industry, and services. These sessions, conducted over less than a month, engaged more than 1,200 participants regionally.
Meanwhile, the latest report by the Exchange Office revealed a 5.2% increase in Morocco's trade deficit, reaching 250 billion dirhams (approximately $25 billion) from January 1 to October 2024.
The report stated that Moroccan imports during the first ten months of 2024 amounted to 623 billion dirhams, while exports reached 373 billion dirhams. Imports rose by 5.8% compared to the same period last year, whereas exports increased by 6.2%. However, this growth in exports was insufficient to bridge the trade gap.
This report comes amid criticism of Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch's government over its foreign trade policies. The opposition has criticized the government's focus on specific industrial sectors, neglecting others that could potentially reduce Moroccan imports.
