An Introduction to Morocco
Morocco has had a long and varied history - a Berber kingdom once under Roman rule, it has at times fallen in the sphere of influence of Portugal, France, Spain and Germany. The country celebrated 50 years of independence in 2006, having previously been a French and Spanish protectorate. See full country profile.Latest Research News from Africa
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GOVERNMENT: constitutional monarchy
AREA: 446,550 sq km
POPULATION: 31,968,361 (July 2011 est.)
MAJOR LANGUAGE: Official Languages: Arabic, Amazigh. Native Languages: Moroccan, Arabic, Tachelhit, Central Atlas Tamazight Tarifit, Hassaniya
Some business and general info
The Market Research Industry
Trade and Industry in Morocco
Although Rabat is Morocco's capital, it is perhaps not its best known city. Casablanca, famous for Humphrey Bogart *not* saying 'Play it again, Sam', and Agadir, famous for its crisis, are both larger, while Fez - 'though smaller - is unquestionably very much in fashion.
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Morocco has had a long and varied history - a Berber kingdom once under Roman rule, it has at times fallen in the sphere of influence of Portugal, France, Spain and Germany. The country celebrated 50 years of independence in 2006, having previously been a French and Spanish protectorate.
The present Kingdom of Morocco is a constitutional monarchy in which the King nevertheless holds a huge amount of executive power, including the option to dissolve parliament and the right to issue decrees called dahirs which hold the force of law.Parliamentary elections were held in 2007 and despite a low turnout (37%) were considered to be free and fair. Known as Islamic liberals and for openness towards the Western world, King Mohammed VI and the ruling elite are democratically minded, combining tolerance with traditional laws and customs.
GDP: $151.4 billion (2010 est.) - $4,800 per capita(2010 est.)
Religions Muslim 98.7%, Christian 1.1%, Jewish 0.2%
Currency: Moroccan Dirham (MAD) - GBP 1 = MAD 12.97
Telephone Code: +212
BBC Country Profile
Lonely Planet
Morocco at the Indo-Arab Chamber of Commerce & Industries
Research Industry
The MR industry in the Maghreb region (Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia) turned over $US 20m in 2009 - up from $17m and $19m in 2007 and 2008 respectively and representing net growth of 4.1%.Morocco boasts a liberal economy in which government-owned industries have been systematically privatised since 1993. The economic health of the world's largest exporter of phosphorous is to some extent at the mercy of international phosphates market fluctuations. However, Morocco has the Arab world's second-largest non-oil GDP, behind Egypt, as of 2005. Tourism is also a major industry.
France remains the primary trade partner, primary creditor and foreign investor in Morocco. The production of textiles and clothing accounted for c.34% of total exports in 2002 and employed 40% of the industrial workforce.
Export commodities from Morocco include textiles, electronic components, chemicals, minerals and petroleum products. In 2010 a total of c.$17.67bn went to partners including Spain (22.1% of trade), France (20.1%) and India (4.9%).
Imports worth $23.61bn and including crude petroleum, fabric, telecoms equipment, gas and electricity, came in 2010 from countries including France (17%), Spain (14.9%), China (7.5%), Italy (6.8%) and Germany (6.4%).
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laurence@mrweb.com
