Atlantic Council: A Conversation with Minister of Industry and Trade of Morocco, H.E. Ryad Mezzour

On Tuesday, July 2, 2024, the Atlantic Council hosted a discussion with Morocco’s Minister of Industry and Trade, Ryad Mezzour, and CCA’s President and CEO, Florie Liser, to discuss the U.S.-Morocco trade relationship and, more generally, how Morocco has been able to accelerate its economic development. Moroccan Ambassador to the United States, Youssef Amrani, gave the opening remarks, and Khaled Sakr, a Senior Fellow of the Rafik Hariri Center and Middle East Programs of the Atlantic Council, moderated the discussion. The discussion focused on the impressive economic development that Morocco has achieved through free trade agreements and the government’s economic reforms, which have propelled the country forward in many key sectors. Minister Mezzour highlighted how integrated Morocco is with all parts of the global economy, not just because of its physical location as the gateway to Africa but because it has free trade agreements with nearly half of the world. Ms. Liser spoke about how not only has there been a dramatic increase in trade and investment since the U.S. – Morocco free trade agreement was signed, but Morocco’s exports have become increasingly diversified, which is vital for African nations to be able to move up the value chain and increase added value on the continent. Ms. Liser stressed how integrated Morocco is economically with the rest of Africa, pointing out how Morocco is the top investor in Sub-Saharan Africa and how their economic advancements and ties with other African countries can be leveraged further to develop the rest of the continent with strategic partnerships. Minister Mezzour explained how Morocco was leveraging its strategic location for the advancement of other African countries through the government’s initiative to connect the Sahel to the Atlantic Ocean by making Morocco’s trade transportation infrastructure available to landlocked Sahel countries. During the Q&A session, Minister Mezzour and Ms. Liser answered questions about the recent tech conference in Morocco, how Morocco is ensuring its security and responding to rising geopolitical risks around the world, how to increase U.S. investment in Morocco, and how Morocco is reducing unemployment rates. When the minister was asked what advice he would give to other African countries, he said that he had “no advice” but was offering the opportunity to collaborate and co-invest so that African nations can develop in ways that are true to their unique goals, objectives, and values.