Rabat — Spanish news outlets have been buzzing about trade cooperation between Madrid and Rabat, citing data indicating that Morocco is set to surpass foreign trade records with Spain.
Converging reports said that Morocco’s foreign trade with Spain will break records for the fourth consecutive year, as is evidenced by the strong bilateral ties between the two governments.
In the first 10 months last year, exports from Spain to Morocco reached 10.84 billion while imports amounted to 8.22 billion.
Spanish media noted that these numbers represent the “highest ever” data recorded for this period, with year-on-year growth estimated at 6.8% for exports and 9.1% for imports.
This means that the data outperforms Spain’s foreign trade performance for the same period as Spanish exports grew by 0.7% between January and October last year.
Imports, however, decreased by 0.4%.
“Analysts predict that the economic downturn in countries like France and Germany could lead to negative figures in exports by the end of the year, but this is not expected to affect economic relations with Morocco,” The Objective reported.
In December, the Spanish Ministry of Trade, acknowledged that exports to non-EU destinations accounted for 38.5% of the total, and rose by 9.6% compared to the same period through October of last year.
“Record highs were reached for the month in markets of great importance to Spain such as the United Kingdom, Morocco, Turkiye, Switzerland, and Mexico,” the ministry wrote, recognizing Morocco’s strategic place as one of the premier trade partners to Madrid.
The new data comes amid rapid development as commercial customs reopen between the Spanish enclave of Melilla and Morocco.
According to reports, the first commercial vehicle crossed from the enclave to Morocco, marking the first such transfer since the North African country closed the border in 2018. The gap was reportedly due to challenges affecting Morocco’s economy as a result of counterfeit commercial activities.
Local authorities in Melilla have been criticizing Morocco, claiming that there is “no freedom” under the new terms of the commercial customs arrangement.
Commenting on the new developments, Juan José Imbroda, President of Melilla said, “Morocco imposes one truck per day and imposes the goods that can pass from Morocco to Melilla, and from Melilla to Morocco. There is no freedom there.”
In response to the criticism, Spain’s Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska strongly rejected claims about alleged Moroccan obstacles in reopening customs offices in Ceuta and Melilla.
He instead stated that delays stem purely from technical considerations that require further refinement.
The Spanish minister’s remarks come amid a hostile campaign from Spanish media, targeting the North African country.
Spanish outlets have been increasingly reporting about alleged customs issues, claiming that Morocco imposes restrictions on commercial flow.
Read Also: Spain Defends Morocco Customs Deal: ‘No Impositions, Only Progress’
