Morocco’s government has launched a nationwide initiative to address stark regional disparities in foreign trade, aiming to decentralize export activity and promote balanced territorial development, according to Omar Hajira, Secretary of State for Foreign Trade under the Ministry of Industry and Trade.
Speaking during a parliamentary Q&A session on Monday, Hajira revealed that three regions dominate Morocco’s export landscape, accounting for 85 percent of the country’s total exports.
One region alone contributes 47 percent of industrial exports, while most of the others do not exceed 2 percent, underscoring significant geographical imbalances in trade performance. Additionally, 75 percent of all exporting companies are located within those same three regions.
Hajira explained that the government’s Foreign Trade Program for 2025–2027 is built on a territorial and participatory approach aimed at extending export capacities beyond coastal and economically dominant zones. He stressed that every region should be empowered with the necessary tools and infrastructure to contribute meaningfully to the country’s export drive, regardless of its location or proximity to trade routes.
To close information gaps and stimulate local involvement, the ministry organized consultation meetings across the country. In many instances, these gatherings revealed that even regional officials lacked accurate data on local export performance. These efforts, Hajira said, were essential in creating awareness and accountability among regional stakeholders.
As part of the plan, the government will establish 12 regional support offices to serve as local contact points for companies involved in foreign trade. These offices will cater not only to large and medium-sized enterprises but also to very small businesses, especially those located in provinces far from regional capitals.
Hajira emphasized that the initiative will improve access to institutional services, foster a localized export strategy, and include the development of a digital platform to provide key information to both exporters and importers. Financial and logistical support will also be extended to companies in regions with low export activity, aiming to stimulate growth and reduce structural disadvantages.
The program’s goals include the creation of 400 new exporting firms annually, the mobilization of 84 billion dirhams in untapped export value, and the generation of 76,000 new jobs. Hajira affirmed that these targets align with the government’s broader agenda of inclusive economic development and regional equity in international trade.
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