Moroccan enterprises less optimistic on perspectives in oct-dec 2001, survey

A survey conducted by the employers' association (CGEM) shows that enterprises see less promising activity perspectives in the last three months of 2001 than in Jan-Oct 2001.

About one third of the 296 surveyed enterprises said they expect a stagnation of global production and sales, another 21% forecast a slump in production and 25% predict a contraction of sales, compared to 16% and 18% in the Aug-Oct.2001.

Fears of activity regression were mainly expressed by enterprises operating in tourism and chemical and para-chemical industries, followed by textile, computer and telecoms sectors.

Regarding the July-Sept period, the survey found that the number of enterprises, which recorded an increase in their production level, remains unchanged (36%) while that of enterprises whose global sales progressed went up from 35% to 40%. During this period, the percentage of enterprises which recorded a stagnation of their production, sales and exports has regressed.

Meanwhile, 55% of enterprises said production was sufficient and 28% said it was largely sufficient, compared to 28% and 63% in Apr.-June 2001.

Regarding exports, 26% of the polled companies report a stagnation, 20% a decrease and 17% a progression.

The survey also reveals that for 56% general orders remained normal, while 30% said foreign orders were low.