Morocco Demonstrated Capacity for Industrial Response During COVID-19

Rabat – The COVID-19 pandemic has “demonstrated [Morocco’s] capacity for industrial response,” and helped the country’s digital development, said the Moroccan Minister of Industry, Trade, and New Technologies, Moulay Hafid Elalamy.

Speaking at the opening of Morocco’s Economic Week in Ireland, on Monday, March 29, Elalamy stressed Morocco’s capacity for innovation and responsiveness, especially in the context of a crisis.

“During this period, Morocco produced masks, respirators, PCR sampling kits, and a 100% Moroccan PCR test,” said the minister. He also recalled that the North African country supplied Europe with masks, visors, and other protective equipment.

Elalamy explained that the pandemic also helped the country to accelerate the development of its digital sector, noting that “during this year we have achieved, in the digital field, about five years of development.”

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Moroccan authorities relocated “a certain number of strategic activities in the medical and paramedical field,” and focused on producing and exporting the equipment and goods that were most necessary. According to the minister, through the country’s integration into the world economy, Morocco successfully “cushioned the shock” of the pandemic.

Morocco was a “production and export” platform long before the pandemic, and today, many are accelerating investments in Morocco due to its stability, its proximity to Europe, as well as the competitiveness of production costs in the country, noted Elalamy.

He also stressed that Morocco’s automotive sector is one of the most competitive in the world. Similarly, he highlighted that the textile and clothing sectors have been making a comeback over the last four years, in spite of tough competition from Chinese producers.

Elalamy also touched upon Morocco’s green aspirations, stressing the North African country’s efforts to decarbonize its industry.

In his closing statement, Elalamy invited potential investors to explore these sectors and to take advantage of Morocco’s infrastructure and facilities.