Significant Bureaucratic Hurdles Impacting Aquaculture Growth in Morocco
According to a comprehensive report by the World Bank, the Moroccan aquaculture sector is experiencing substantial limitations due to complex and lengthy bureaucratic processes that hinder its growth potential. The report indicates that while Morocco's aquaculture industry has the capacity to attract private investments of up to USD 1.96 billion (approximately EUR 1.72 billion) and create around 75,000 new jobs, the current bureaucratic framework is obstructing these opportunities. Though there have been advancements that opened investment opportunities exceeding USD 1 billion (EUR 854 million), the sector is still not reaching its full potential because of significant red tape.
The World Bank's diagnostic report highlights that the permitting framework in Morocco is notably rigorous, creating large discrepancies between the estimated and actual timelines for approval. Government estimates suggest that the permitting processes should take between four to eighteen months, but investors report actual approval times ranging from three to four years in some instances. This discrepancy is a critical barrier to attracting necessary investments and operational efficiency within the aquaculture industry.
Furthermore, the report explains that Morocco's permitting framework is comparable to those in other countries with established aquaculture industries; however, Morocco is still in an early growth phase. The report emphasizes that the country’s ambitious production and export goals should prompt a reevaluation of its permitting processes to make them less restrictive. In addition, the report notes that complicated land use regulations often create confusion regarding the acceptability of constructing essential aquaculture support infrastructures, such as hatcheries and feed storage facilities.
Recommendations for Streamlining and Enhancing Investment Appeal
To tap into the estimated USD 1.96 billion of medium-term private investments, the World Bank has outlined several immediate priorities for the Moroccan government. These include streamlining and digitizing the permitting process, enforcing clear approval timelines, and clarifying land use rules for onshore support facilities. Additionally, the report proposes bundling marine sites with adjacent land to facilitate project development. The implementation of standardized application templates and documentation checklists would also make the sector more accessible and appealing to investors.
In addressing these bureaucratic inefficiencies, the World Bank also pointed out the need for clearer delineation of responsibilities among various government agencies involved in the licensing processes. Notably, the National Agency for the Development of Aquaculture is tasked with promoting and developing the sector, but it operates alongside several other agencies that complicate the permitting procedure, including the Regional Investment Center and the Ministry of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development.
Despite the challenges, the report asserts that Morocco has a wealth of investment opportunities across its aquaculture value chain. This includes areas such as seaweed cultivation, shellfish farming, fish farming, aquafeed production, and processing facilities. As Morocco’s population is projected to reach 40 million by 2030, with an expected increase in domestic seafood consumption to 756,000 tons, the potential for growth in the aquaculture sector is significant. Furthermore, promising export opportunities are anticipated as global seafood production and consumption continue to rise.
As reported by seafoodsource.com.
