Authorities in the United States and Morocco are moving to deepen industrial collaboration after new discussions between top officials focused on attracting investment and strengthening their long-standing economic relationship.
US Ambassador to Morocco, Richard Duke Buchan, held talks on Monday with Morocco’s Minister of Industry, Ryad Mezzour, where both parties explored ways to expand cooperation in key areas such as manufacturing and export development.
Emphasising the potential for growth, Buchan referenced the historic ties between the two nations and Morocco’s rising profile as an investment hub.
He noted that Morocco presents vast opportunities for American companies seeking to invest while contributing to shared economic prosperity.
This renewed push builds on the United States–Morocco Free Trade Agreement, which has shaped bilateral trade since 2006 by removing tariffs on over 95 percent of consumer and industrial products, making Morocco the only African nation with such an arrangement with the US.
Data from the US Department of State also shows that Morocco has entered into numerous global agreements designed to protect investors and avoid double taxation, further boosting its appeal to foreign investors.
Even with these benefits, foreign direct investment inflows have shown volatility in recent years. The country recorded about $3.6 billion in FDI in 2018, before declining to roughly $1.7 billion in 2019 and remaining at similar levels in 2020.
The manufacturing sector continues to attract the largest share of investment, especially in fast-growing industries such as automotive, aerospace, textiles, pharmaceuticals, and agro-processing. These sectors are key to Morocco’s plan to establish itself as a regional industrial and financial hub connecting Africa and Europe.
With tariff reductions expected to continue through 2030, experts believe Morocco’s geographic advantage and supportive policies could further position it as a preferred base for US companies targeting both African and European markets, particularly as global supply chains evolve.