Morocco wants to modernize internal trade

Morocco's Premier, Abderrahmane Youssoufi, on Wednesday stressed the government's will to modernize internal trade and make it more competitive.

Galloping globalization require political and economic decision-makers to work hand in hand to encourage private initiative, reinforce the economic fabric and promote investments, Youssoufi told the first national forum on internal trade, opened Wednesday in Casablanca, Morocco's major economic and financial center.

Youssoufi noted that the enforcement of a law on free prices and competition marked a radical change, as the text introduced the principle of economic freedom and consecrated the foundations of sound and loyal competition.

It is vital for public authorities and professional association to enter into a partnership that will help the commercial sectors to contribute more to the creation of new wealth and new job opportunities, Youssoufi said.

The achievement of such objectives depends on the carrying on of the implementation of the liberalization policy of the commercial sector, while promoting financing mechanisms and easing administrative procedures related to investments and commerce, he said.

The Forum on internal trade seeks to devise a new approach to the sector and the working out of a new joint conception of the means to make the sector be up to modern challenges.

Internal trade contributes 12.8 percent to Morocco's Gross Domestic Product (GDP¡ and employs more than 1 million people.

Morocco has 44,013 legally recognized commercial firms. The country also counts 200 large trading areas of more than 300 square meters.