The conclusion of a free trade agreement with the United States of America is part of the overall strategy of the opening of the Moroccan economy in the world market. With an exclusively economic and free trade. The agreement of free trade with the United States aims to organize the development of free trade in goods and services between the two countries. It also helps to consolidate the reform process and economic modernization undertaken by Morocco for several years.
Negotiating the free trade agreement (FTA) between Morocco and the United States is the consecration of a bilateral process marked by a series of economic agreements between the two countries: the Agreement on Double Taxation of 1977 investment agreement in 1985 and finally the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) signed in 1995. The TIFA is a preliminary step to the conclusion of an agreement of free trade. Launched in January 2003, the FTA negotiations have been seven rounds and ended in March 2004. Coordinated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation. Meetings were held with various government departments and representatives of various professional associations and federations. This approach based on consultation and dialogue between national economic actors was to get the most out of this agreement and to agree on a common and consistent Moroccan position.
Opportunities for Morocco:
Free trade between Morocco and the United States are low. The United States is the sixth customer of Morocco and its ninth provider. Morocco meanwhile ranks only 73rd largest trading partner of the United States. Economists argue that the FTA with the United States is great importance for Morocco.Moroccan exporters to give it a more open U.S. market and importers of Morocco a more competitive level of supply sources. In addition, the free trade agreement presents a significant potential for growth in U.S. investment flows. It aims to develop the attractiveness of Morocco as well for U.S. investors wishing to settle in Morocco and exported to the United States, Europe, Africa or the Arab world, as for other companies countries wanting to enter the U.S. market on preferential terms. In short the opportunities in Morocco by the conclusion of the FTA with the United States-United are as follows: a real opportunity to significantly increase exports to the United States - USA, improving the competitiveness of Morocco of attractiveness of the investment. Enhancement of Morocco as a platform for production and export.
1. Exports to the United States represents 2.9% of total Moroccan exports or MDH 2793.
2. Exports to Morocco are 0, 08% of total U.S. exports.
3. Imports from the United States represent 3.4% of total Moroccan imports, or MDH 4382.
4. Imports from the United States from Morocco represent 0.03% of U.S. total imports.
Market Access Moroccan and American
In terms of market access a tariff schedule has been set to five baskets and will be applied upon the entry into force of the Agreement. Morocco has been able to get free trade access to almost all of the industrial and Moroccan fisheries in the U.S. market. Or an exemption from 99.73% of Moroccan exports upon entry into force of the Agreement. The dismantling of import duties on goods of U.S.
origin to Morocco has been set as follows:
• products manufactured in Morocco are in the basket and one will be dismantled over a period of 9 years (to 0% in 2013 if the agreement comes into force in 2005)
• products not manufactured locally were distributed among the baskets 1, 2 and 3 and will be completely exonerated of 5 years
• used products are placed in the basket and will be 5 then dismantled over 10 years. Different sectors are affected by the FTA with the United States: food industry, textile, clothing and leather industries, telecommunications and e-commerce, intellectual property, etc..
Testimonials food industry professionals
The conclusion of the FTA with the United States has pushed operators of food to explore the potential of this "mega-market" and to equate the conditions of access. Among the associations and federations in the sector who were involved in this agreement. We are the Federation of Agri-Food (FENAGRI). The Federation of canned products (FICOPAM). The association of exporters fruit and vegetables (the APEFEL). The National Federation of mills, semolina Morocco and the national association of red meat. The Director General of the establishment of autonomous control and coordination of exports (EACCE) argues that the U.S. market with very high consumption potential in fact consists of a multitude of highly segmented markets according to regional criteria, demographic , ethnic, etc. The exporter is required to identify a market niche in which it has a competitive advantage. He added that "if the standards of distribution, delivery times and commercial guidelines are met the relationship between the two parties can be sustainable." For its part the Director of Industrial Production, Ministry of Industry, Trade and upgrade of the economy, see the standards and sanitary conditions of free trade access are not really impassable. "They are certainly very strict but clear and precise. If the procedures are strictly adhered to market access takes place without much difficulty "says he Professionals in the field are expected to pool their efforts to seize the opportunities that are offered by the FTA with the United States. Access to the U.S. market will probably diversifying markets for Moroccan industrial exports.
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