Poor competitiveness, major factor of Morocco's trade deficit, exporters

Poor competitiveness of the Moroccan enterprises, low offer of exportable goods, competition of international markets, and absence of outreaching are among the factors behind Morocco's trade deficit, said chairman of the Moroccan exports association (ASMEX), Abdellatif Bel Madani.

The ASMEX chairman proposed to adopt a new exports promotion strategy and diversify exportable offer and outlets, in order to boost exports which hardly progressed by 2% in 2004, compared to a 14% growth of imports.

Bel Madani further called in an interview with "Le Reporter" weekly for promoting exports and levelling down all production factors costs, and urged the government to put an end to unfair competition practiced by some mass imports, lift all excessive costs associated with monopolies, support export-companies and improve incentives extended to exports consortiums.

Morocco's trade deficit worsened in 2004 by 34% as a result of an increase in imports (14%) and a slow progression of exports (2%).