Implementing the AFCFTA to enable Marocans to better promote their products in Africa. An achievement that will be possible with the introduction of a law in favor of a reduction of 90% of customs taxes.According to experts, the implementation of such a law will enable Africans in general and Marocans in particular to reduce their imports in favor of exports.
Since the implementation of the AFCFTA on January 1, 2021, Morocco continuously pleaded for more opportunities for corporate citizens. Regarded as the world’s leading exporter of citrus fruits, tomatoes and even argan oil, the Pan-African Free Trade Zone is considered to be the expected opportunity for Moroccan companies to better promote their basic products, goods and services in Africa. A situation that is actually encouraged by the abolition of about 90% of customs duties on goods.
The African Continental Free Trade Area should be an engine for goods made in Africa, and not for external import nor to flood African markets. The AFCFTA requires an upgrade of infrastructures, laws and texts between African countries. The levels of development of African countries are not the same. There are significant gaps and the AFCFTA can only be effectively useful if the work mend to support african countries and the preparatory work to its effectiveness is done in a rational and pragmatic way.”
Nasser bourita, Minister of Foreign Affairs Morocco
According to experts, the distribution of Moroccan products in Africa will bring a plus face to Western competition, but will continuously have to pay the customs duties so as to integrate the African market in general and Moroccan in particular, as indicated Mouna Kadiri, Director of the Africa club Development of the Attijariwafa bank Group.
We are the witnessess of considerable and concrete investment. We have seen the birth of factories, We have seen the birth of joint ventures, We have seen the birth of distribution networks. Without the continental free trade area, these companies that participated in this dynamic framework to make the business corridor more reliable,to generate value, create projects and investments would not have been able to do so. Some traders realized that with this continental free trade area they can import tomatoes five times cheaper from the neighbor than from outside the continent.
Mouna Kadiri, Director of the Africa Development Club Morocco
In regard to the saturation of local market, Moroccan industries consider the AFCFTA as a breath of fresh air after being offended for many years in African markets. Also, this new common market will not only encourage border trade, but above all will promote exports and industrial development according to experts.
