Author - U.S. Department of Commerce
|
Source:
STAT-USA on the Internet
US Department of Commerce
(202) 482-1986
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Long Term Prospects
Best Prospects for non-agricultural goods and services
1. TEL TELECOMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT
2. ELP ELECTRICAL POWER SYSTEMS
3. POL ENVIRONMENTAL EQUIPMENT & SERVICES
4. WRE WATER RESOURCES EQUIPMENT
5. ACE ENGINEERING SERVICES
6. FRA FRANCHISING
The Moroccan market for telecommunications is growing rapidly.
The total market for telecommunications equipment reached $305
million in 1997, up 20 percent from 1996. Several U.S. firms
interested in the second GSM license expected to be launched in
July 1998 have visited Morocco and made presentation of their
products and services to the new telecommunications regulatory
body. U.S. firms which have a good reputation, are considered
pioneers in new technologies, such as wireless communications.
In its latest expansion and modernization program covering the
1995-1999 time frame, the Government of Morocco aims to increase
the number of main lines to 2 million with a teledensity goal of
10 percent. The program also includes plans to install fiber
optic interurban networks connecting most major cities, and
extend telecommunications services to 1,6000 rural locations,
possibly using fixed wireless local loop technology.
1997(p) 1998(e) 1999(e)
(in $million)
A. Total Market Size 305 420 500
B. Total Local Production 0 0 0
C. Total Exports 0 0 0
D. Total Imports 305 420 500
E. Imports from the U.S. 49 100 230
2 - Electrical Power Systems (ELP)
Investment in electric power generation and distribution
facilities has been significant over the last two decades;
however, with the recent surge of industrial growth, much more
investment is needed. Morocco's demand for electricity is
growing fast and the National Office of Electricity is committed
to meet this demand in both urban and rural areas. To satisfy
Morocco's growing demand for electricity, the National Office of
Electricity (ONE) has set-up an ambitious program in order to
supply the countryside with electricity by the year 2010. A new
independent power plant (IPP) of 400MW production capacity is
planned to be built in the Northern part of Morocco near Tangier
to benefit from the natural gas pipeline from Algiers to Spain.
The pre-selection tender for this power plant is expected to be
announced by the end of 1998. ONE also expects to launch bids
for wind power parks of 2.8 MW in different sites of Morocco in
late 1998. These will be used as a model before launching a
larger wind project of 200 MW in three sites throughout Morocco.
1997(p) 1998(e) 1999(e)
(in $million)
A. Total Market Size 450 600 750
B. Total Local Production 0 0 0
C. Total Exports 0 0 0
D. Total Imports 450 600 750
E. Imports from the U.S. 200 300 380
Due to increased environmental awareness, national market
assessments predict a market of $5.2 billion, most of which will
be spent on municipal wastewater collection and treatment by the
year 2011. American companies with improved technologies can
find many attractive opportunities. This will be particularly
important in sectors such as pollution prevention, where U.S.
firms have leading-edge technologies. The Moroccan Government
has also successfully put into motion a plan to enhance the basic
infrastructure for solid waste management nationwide. The most
promising sub-sectors are: waste recycling; industrial
wastewater; air pollution; water purification; municipal solid
waste; mobile source air pollution; air and water monitoring and
testing; and environmental consulting.
1997(p) 1998(e) 1999(e)
(in $million)
A. Total Market Size 250 370 500
B. Total Local Production 0 0 0
C. Total Exports 0 0 0
D. Total Imports 250 370 500
E. Imports from the U.S. 54 80 160
The market for water distribution equipment in Morocco will reach
around $1.5 billion in the next 20 years. Much needed investment
in the distribution sector will stimulate this market to recover
the idle production capacity and reduced output it experienced
during recent years of drought. The lower import duties imposed
on water resources equipment will also boost imports from $394
million in 1997 to around $460 million in 1998.
The largest foreign suppliers are France with 21%, Germany with
18% and Italy with 17% of market share. These ratios may change
rapidly as Germany's market share increases rapidly due to
readily available financing and aggressive marketing.
1997(p) 1998(e) 1999(e)
(in $million)
A. Total Market Size 450 530 760
B. Total Local Production 56 70 80
C. Total Exports 0 0 0
D. Total Imports 394 460 680
E. Imports from the U.S. 150 180 230
Imported engineering services supply 90 percent of the entire
Moroccan market, with a 20% annual growth in demand for
engineering expertise for major infrastructure projects. These
projects, funded by the World Bank and other multilateral
financing institutions, are essential for the Moroccan economy.
The lack of local expertise in this field creates more
opportunities for U.S. engineering firms to provide their
services in this growing market. U.S. engineering companies are
known for the high quality of their services and their expertise
in conducting feasibility and technical studies for major
infrastructure projects. There is a great opportunity for U.S.
engineering firms to export technology in this market especially
in the fields of energy, telecommunications, mining, port
development, airport development, water resources, and
construction.
1997(p) 1998(e) 1999(e)
(in $million)
A. Total Sales 325 400 600
B. Total Sales by Local Firms 50 80 100
C. Tot.Export Sales by Local Firms 0 0 0
D. Tot.Sales by Foreign owned Firms 275 320 500
E. Imports Sales by U.S.owned Firms 90 110 200
6 - Franchising (FRA)
Franchising is a new and encouraging market in an area where the
United States is an acknowledged world leader. American firms
can find many attractive opportunities because the market is
expected to grow at an average annual rate of 30-50% over the
next five years. U.S. franchisors offering a proven franchising
package are well-positioned to benefit from the growing
opportunities in this sector and will surely encounter
significant interest from Moroccan business investors. Fast food
franchising in Morocco has evolved very rapidly since 1994 and
there appears to be an ample market for additional fast food
chains in Morocco. Areas of additional franchising opportunities
in Morocco include hotels and motels, auto-repair, toys,
convenience stores, children computer initiation, dry cleaning,
printing and business equipment and services.
A. Total Sales 90 120 200
B. Total Sales by Local Firms 0 0 10
C. Tot.Export Sales by Local Firms 0 0 0
D. Tot.Sales by Foreign owned Firms 30 40 50
E.Imports Sales by U.S.owned Firms 60 80 130
Bulk agricultural products from the U.S. are expected to continue
to dominate U.S. agricultural exports to Morocco. Wheat,
including durum, feed grains, and oilseeds and products continue
to be the best prospects for U.S. exporters, especially after the
liberalization of the imports. Other commodities such as dairy
products (skimmed milk powder, unsalted butter), purebred dairy
cattle, and raw cotton offer a good opportunity for U.S.
exporters in spite of the currently small US market share.
The best prospects are:
- Wheat, including durum
- Feed grains (corn)
- Vegetable oil
- oilseeds
- protein meals, including soybean meal
- Purebred Dairy Cattle
- Milk Powder & Unsalted Butter
Commodity: Total WHEAT (1,000 metric tons)
===========================
1997 1998 1999
===========================
Total Market Size 7,100 7,400 7,400
Total Local Production 5,900 2,316 4,110
Total Exports . . .
Total Imports 1,365 2,800 2,200
Total Imports from U.S. 435 800 880
===========================
Commodity: VEGETABLE OIL (1,000 metric tons)
===========================
1997 1998 1999
===========================
Total Market Size 367 350 362
Total Local Production 81 82 84
Total Exports . . .
Total Imports 267 250 260
Total Imports from U.S. 64 60 80
===========================
Commodity: OILSEED PROTEIN MEALS (CAKES)(1,000 metric tons)
===========================
1997 1998 1999
===========================
Total Market Size 232 255 264
Total Local Production 197 205 224
Total Exports . . .
Total Imports 35 50 40
Total Imports from U.S. . . .
===========================
Commodity: Corn (1,000 metric tons)
===========================
1997 1998 1999
===========================
Total Market Size 750 800 850
Total Local Production 250 250 250
Total Exports . . .
Total Imports 500 550 600
Total Imports from U.S. 536 400 400
===========================
Moroccan high value product importers have expressed a keen
interest in developing long term relations with US exporters.
Several consumer oriented food products offer good opportunities
for U.S. suppliers in spite of the high freight cost. These
include: canned fruit and vegetables, dried fruit (prunes,
raisins) and nuts, and confectionary.
The Government of the United States acknowledges the contribution
that outward foreign direct investment makes to the U.S. economy.
U.S. foreign direct investment is increasingly viewed as a
complement to or even a necessary component of trade. For
example, roughly 60 percent of U.S. exports are sold by American
firms that have operations abroad. Recognizing the benefits that
U.S. outward investment brings to the U.S. economy, the
government of the United States undertakes initiatives, such as
Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) programs,
investment treaty negotiations, and business facilitation
programs, that support U.S. investors.
The new telecommunication law adopted by the parliament in 1997
has dramatically changed the telecommunication landscape in
Morocco. This new law separated the former monopoly "ONPT" into
two different and independent entities: "Ittissalat Al Maghrib"
which acts as the operator of telecommunications services and
"Barid Al Maghrib" operates the postal services. This law also
permits private local and foreign firms to compete in the
telecommunications sector. It also led to the creation of a
national regulator "ANRT". This regulatory body is charge with
regulating and controlling the telecommunications sector and
assuring transparency in tender procedures and fair competition.
The two major projects ANRT is working on are: (1) tendering the
second GSM license (expected by the end of July 1998) and (2)
opening "Ittissalat Al Maghrib" (IAM) to private participation.
IAM projects include extension of the internet network, and
installation of various transmission equipment used in fiber
optics. In the past decade, "ONPT" invested over $2.5 billion in
upgrading and expanding Morocco's digital network. However,
there are only 1.14 million lines and further investments will be
needed. There are about 78,000 cellular clients largely
concentrated in the Rabat-Casablanca area.
Contact: Mr. Mustapha Terrab
General Manager
Agence Nationale de Reglementation des
Telecommunications (ANRT)
Rue Al Khalil, Imm. A, 3rd floor
Rabat, Morocco
tel: (212-7) 20-38-69
fax: (212-7) 30-38-62
Mr. Abdeslam Ahizoune
General Manager
Ittissalat Al Maghreb (IAM)
Avenue Annakhil, Hay Riad
Rabat, Morocco
tel: (212-7) 20-27-77
fax: (212-7) 71-37-00
The National Office of Electricity (ONE) has launched an
ambitious program to meet Morocco's growing demand for
electricity and increase rural electrification. For ONE, solar
energy has proven to be the most viable way to electrify the
remote areas in Morocco where some 40,000 villages are still in
need of basic services like electricity and water. Only the
involvement of the private sector will make ONE's ambitious
program a reality. The first part of this project started in
1996 and consisted of the electrification of 1,255 villages. The
rural electrification projects will be pre-financed with soft
loans and will consist of connecting small remote areas to the
national grid using mainly renewable energy.
By the end of 1998, ONE plans to launch a tender for the
pre-selection of foreign bidders for the construction and
operation of a 400 MW combined cycle independent power plant in
Tahaddart on the Moroccan North-West Atlantic coast, near
Tangier. This plant will use natural gas from the Algeria-Spain
pipeline.
Before the end of 1998, the National Office of Electricity also
plans to call for bids for wind power parks of 2.8 MW in
different sites of Morocco. These will be used as a model before
launching a larger wind project of 200 MW in three sites in the
Northern and Atlantic South regions of Morocco.
Contact: Mr. Driss Benhima, General Manager
Office National de l'Electricite
65, Rue Othman Ben Affan - ex Lafuente
Casablanca, Morocco
tel: (212) (2) 22-33-30
fax: (212) (2) 22-00-38
The extension and improvement of the 60.000 km national road
network is one of the GOM's top priority. In 1995, 1.4 million
motor vehicles were registered in Morocco, with registrations
growing at 6% per year. The GOM has launched an ambitious highway
construction program to relieve traffic congestion and improve
transportation safety. One thousand kilometers of 4-lane
highways are scheduled to be built before the year 2004. With
the opening of the Rabat-Larache highway (220 km), the Sidi
Yamani-Tangiers highway (30 km) and the first portion of the
Rabat-Fes highway (Meknes-Fes-30 km), Morocco's highway network
reached 300 kilometers. The second portion of the Rabat-Fes
highway will be ready at the end of 1998 and the third portion
Khemiset-Rabat by the end of 1999. Highway construction in
progress or scheduled to start soon include the
Casablanca-Settat (60 km), Casablanca-Azemmour-El Jadida (90 km),
Tetouan-Ceuta (40km). Financing of road construction projects are
provided by the Arab Fund, the European Investment Bank and
through bilateral agreements.
Contact: Societe Nationale des Autoroutes
Hay Ryad, B.P. 6526 Rabat, Maroc
Tel: (07) 71-10-56
Fax: (07) 71-10-59
Contact: Mr. Ahmed Tahour, General Manager
The "Office National des Chemins de Fer" (ONCF)is planning two
major projects: The construction of new tracks from Taourirt to
Nador (120 km) and from Marrakech to Laayoune (1000 km). ONCF is
looking for financing and will consider private participation in
the form of concessions. From 1996 to 2000, a minimum investment
of $450 million is planned. In 1997 ONCF obtained several loans
from the World Bank, the African Development Bank, the European
Investment Bank (EIB), and from bilateral funds to upgrade the
national network. In April 1997, the World Bank granted a loan
to ONCF to finance the reconstruction of 200 km of tracks at a
cost of $553 million. The EIB will finance a $110 million
project the doubling the Kenitra-Sidi-Slimane line, renewing
catenary lines, and constructing stations. The African
Development Bank has agreed to finance the rectifications of some
layouts and the doubling of the platform between Sidi-Kacem and
Meknes at a cost of $95 million. The French-Moroccan Protocol
will finance the acquisition of nine locomotives from the firm
Gec-Alsthom for $50 million.
Several tenders from ONCF come out every year. All are reported
by the Commercial Service in Morocco to the U.S. Department of
Commerce. The most recent major tender came out in March 1998
called for the supply of signaling equipment for the entire rail
network. The project is estimated at $60 million.
Contact: Mohammed El Alj, General Manager
Office National des Chemins de Fer
8 bis rue Abderrahmane Ghafiki
BP 1029, Rabat, Maroc
Tel: (7) 77-47-47
Fax: (7) 77-44-80