Enhancing Trade and Investment Between Morocco and Italy
The second edition of the Moroccan-Italian Economic Summit commenced today in Rabat, focusing on the enhancement of trade and the acceleration of investments between the two nations. This event, organized by the Moroccan Chamber of Commerce in Italy (CCMI) in collaboration with the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Morocco, is themed "Industrial Synergies and New Opportunities for Joint Growth." It signifies a growing economic rapprochement between Rabat and Rome, with the aim of transforming historical ties into tangible industrial partnerships, particularly in high-value sectors. In his address, Marouan Mansoub, the President of CCMI, emphasized that the success of the inaugural summit in Rome, which exceeded participant expectations, underscores the attractiveness of the Moroccan market and the increasing interest of Italian businesses in Morocco. Several memoranda of understanding were signed with institutional and economic partners during the summit, and additional agreements are currently being finalized, highlighting the increasingly concrete bilateral cooperation. Mansoub also highlighted Morocco's strengths in terms of stability, security, and peace, which are considered key factors in an uncertain global context.
Nihal Azzouz, the Director of Investments at the Moroccan Ministry of Investment, announced that Morocco aims to mobilize investments amounting to 550 billion Dirhams (approximately 50 billion Euros) by 2026, creating 500 jobs in the process. The private sector is at the core of the national development strategy. Azzouz further highlighted the Kingdom's competitive advantages, including a stable and predictable environment, high-quality infrastructure, privileged access to a market of over one billion consumers through free trade agreements, and a young, skilled workforce. Strategic sectors identified include the automotive industry, aviation, and renewable energy. Regarding the regulatory framework, Azzouz noted that the new investment charter, enacted in 2022 and effective from 2023, serves as a crucial tool for promoting investments, with funding mechanisms that can cover up to 30% of project values. To date, 250 projects have been approved, totaling 414 billion Dirhams (around 38 billion Euros) with over 179 anticipated jobs.
In the first two months of 2026, investment spending in Morocco surged by 37.1% to 23.1 billion Dirhams (approximately 2.1 billion Euros), accounting for about 20.1% of the annual plan implemented by the end of February. The total financing requirement stood at 40.9 billion Dirhams (around 3.8 billion Euros). The government primarily relied on the domestic market, raising 19.3 billion Dirhams (approximately 1.8 billion Euros), while net foreign funding rose to 976 million Dirhams (around 90 million Euros), compared to 92 million Dirhams (approximately 8.5 million Euros) during the same period the previous year. Moroccan authorities continue to work on improving the business climate by streamlining procedures and strengthening the role of regional investment centers. Ultimately, the summit represents a crucial step toward creating an integrated economic space between the two shores of the Mediterranean, with the Rabat-Rome axis identified as a potential driver for shared prosperity.
As reported by agenzianova.com.
