Morocco concerned after liberalization of textile sector

Moroccan officials have voiced concern after the drop of the country's exports of textile products following the liberalization of the sector and the elimination of the quota system in January.

"Morocco's exports of textile have dropped by 33pc last January, after the complete dismantlement of the Multifibre Arrangement," deplored, on Friday, Moroccan Foreign Trade Minister after a meeting with visiting European Commissioner for Trade, Peter Mandelson.

Mustapha Mechahouri told the press Morocco is preoccupied about the free access of Chinese and Indian products to the European market.

He said talks with the European Union (EU) official focused on the measures taken at the European level to assist Morocco and allow it face the new juncture.

The textile sector is highly important in the Moroccan economy as it represents nearly 33pc of exports and employs 200,000 people, he explained.

According to Mechahouri, the measures to be adopted by Morocco, with the support of the EU, will mainly focus on upgrading the textile sector.

Echoing him, Minister delegate for Foreign Affairs, Taieb Fassi Fihri, said all the necessary measures will be taken to protect the interests of producers and workers in the textile sector. He said steps are being made to raise the sector's performance and to meet the challenge of competition.

Earlier, Mandelson reiterated the EU's commitment to assist Morocco after the liberalization of the textile sector.

At a meeting with Moroccan Industry, Trade and Upgrading economy Minister, Salaheddine Mezouar, he said the EU has been working for many years with Morocco to adapt its economy to the post-Multifibre Arrangement (MFA) world.

Mandelson said he encourages the promotion of transparency in economic affairs and the optimisation of the use of funds of MEDA program (the financial tool of the EU's aid to countries in the south of the Mediterranean) to attract more foreign investments.

Mandelson's visit comes at an important time for the EU-Maghreb relationship, with both sides seeking to deepen cooperation across the Euro-Mediterranean area, said a release of the European Commission.

The EU official will hold meetings with other Moroccan officials to listen to their views on a range of trade issues.