The Executive Bureau of the Democratic Organization criticized the insistence of certain ministries and local authorities on turning Morocco into a market for foreign goods, materials, and equipment—particularly those from Turkey and Asia— and the exorbitant costs this imposes on the state treasury—funds that could instead be used to lift our country out of excessive debt, create jobs, and combat poverty and unemployment.
In a statement, the organization noted that despite Morocco’s enormous potential to manufacture and produce various materials and equipment in several sectors—using local raw materials and relying on Moroccan engineering expertise and skilled workers—certain authorities are working against this trend to protect their own interests and seek to keep our country dependent on foreign sources.
The same statement noted that continuing to import constitutes a waste of national financial resources and runs counter to the government’s slogans and plans for addressing the COVID-19 crisis, as outlined in the amended finance law and the framework guidelines for preparing the budgets for the years 2021–2022, as well as with the provisions of the General Confederation of Moroccan Enterprises’ plan regarding the promotion of local industry and the consumption of domestic products, following the example of many major countries, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The organization’s Executive Board renewed its call on the government and the Ministries of Finance and the Interior—which oversees local authorities—to issue clear and strict decrees and directives prohibiting the import of any goods that can be manufactured and produced locally, in order to support domestic businesses and preserve jobs, while ensuring quality control and putting an end to monopolies, the culture of quick profits, unregulated pricing, and unfair competition.
The organization explained that members of parliament raised several questions regarding the rationale behind certain government agencies and local authorities continuing to import products that Morocco has proven capable of manufacturing, including buses to be imported from Turkey, at a time when the national economy needs encouragement and support, rationalization of spending, promotion of domestic products, and support for national industry.
Sarah Al-Ramshi
