Japan and Morocco 21

• 42% of population under 25 years old
• 75: Number of Japanese companies operating in Morocco
• 49,000: People employed by Japanese companies in Morocco
• 2x: Increase in Japanese companies in past six years

‘Now sustainable’

Morocco is tackling the climate crisis head-on by positioning itself to have one of the world’s most competitive low-carbon industries. Japanese organizations have shown significant cooperation and investment in the fields of wind and solar power. Morocco’s commitment to renewable energy spans more than a decade.

• 2009: National decision and first investments made toward developing renewable energy.
• 2016: Development of Noor Energy 1 solar power plant is launched.
• 2020: Renewable energy accounts for 37% of Morocco’s energy mix.
• 2021: Four gigawatts of installed capacity from renewable energy achieved.
• 2022: Taza wind farm, backed by Japanese investment, begins operations.
• 2025: Projects for green hydrogen to be commissioned.
• 2030: Target for electrical capacity from renewable sources to be set at 52%.

‘Now competitive’

Morocco has consistently ranked among the most attractive investment destinations in Africa and has played an important role as a regional trading hub for centuries. Today, it leads the way in terms of world-class infrastructure and digital connectivity across the African continent and offers a “best cost” value proposition.

• Access to 1 billion consumers through free trade agreements with almost 50 countries
• Distance from Europe: 15 km
• Average labor costs: US$327
• Tangier Med Port, the first transshipment platform in Africa, boasts 186 connections with 77 countries
• Airports: 18
• Industrial Zones: 100
• First “bullet train” in Africa

‘Now well-proven’

Morocco is the leading car manufacturer in Africa and has an automotive ecosystem of 250 companies. Its aerospace sector has 140 companies and an average yearly growth rate of 20%.

• Business-friendly environment
• •Political stability
• Resilient economy
• •Human capital
• Effective government incentives
• • World-class “Special Economic Zones”
• End-to-end assistance and support from Morocco’s Investment & Export Development Agency (AMDIE)

‘Now agile’

Agility is part of Morocco’s DNA and key in a fast-changing world. Morocco is often described by foreign investors as agile, responsive and able to turn crisis into opportunity.

“We invite foreign investors and international buyers to explore the powerful investment and sourcing opportunities Morocco has to offer. We guarantee concrete solutions to the challenges facing the global value chain today and a strong commitment to the success of all investment projects in the country.”

— Youssef El Bari, General Manager of AMDIE

Learn more about Morocco: www.morocconow.com
A Japanese version of the ‘Morocco Now’ website is also available: www.morocconow.com/ja

---

Basic Data

Diplomatic Relations:

• Established in 1956 with the recognition of Morocco’s independence
• 1961 Japanese Embassy opened in Morocco
• 1965 Moroccan Embassy opened in Japan

Bilateral Treaties and Agreement:

• 1960 Trading Arrangement
• 1985 Fisheries Agreement

Number of Residents:

• Number of Japanese Nationals residing in Morocco: 350 (October 2018)
• Number of Moroccan Nationals residing in Japan: 637 (June 2019)

Economic Relations

Trade with Japan:

• Imports from Japan : U.S.$ 259 million (2018) (automobiles, machinery)
• Exports to Japan : U.S.$ 150 million (2018) (seafood, phosphate rock)

Other Economic Relations:

• The Moroccan Embassy in Japan hosts the Morocco business seminars approximately every year in Tokyo as well as other local cities, in cooperation with JICA, JETRO, UNIDO and JCCME (Japan Cooperation Center for the Middle East).
• In addition, the Moroccan representative delegation led by the Minister of Energy, Mine Water and Environment had attended the 2nd Japan-Arab Economic Forums in December 2010 and appealed for cooperation with Japan regarding the promotion of using solar energy as a generation system.

Japan’s Economic Cooperation:

• Loans: 311.609 billion yen (List of Exchange of Notes)
• Grants: 37.111 billion yen (List of Exchange of Notes)
• Technical Cooperation: 39.369 billion yen
  • (note) Cumulative total as of March 2017

(a) Japan has provided support in the form of loan aid, grant aid and technical cooperation. The focused fields are 1) enhancing competitive economy and sustainable economic growth especially through strengthening infrastructure, agriculture and aquaculture and human capacity development and 2) easing economic and social disparities between urban and local areas through improving education and public health.

(b) With over 40 years of experiences and knowledge transferred from Japan, Morocco has been actively contributing to develop South-South Cooperation toward African nations in multiple fields such as fishery and road rehabilitation. In September 2003, to promote Japanese technical cooperation towards the southern African nations, Japan and Morocco signed a framework document regarding the “Japan-Morocco Triangular Technical Cooperation Program for The Promotion of South-South Cooperation in Africa.”

(c) Recent Major Projects:
Project for Flood Forecasting and Warning System in High Atlas Area (2010 grant), Rural Road Improvement Project (II) (2011, loan), Fez and Meknes Regions Water Supply Project (2011, loan) , Sewerage System Development Project (III) (2012, loan), Non-Project Aid on Next Generation Eco Friendly Vehicles (2012, grant), Basic Education Sector Support Project (2013, loan), Project for Construction of Shellfish Aquaculture Technology Research Center (2015, grant) , Green Morocco Plan Support Program (2016, loan), Project for Improvement of Equipment for Security Enhancement (2015, grant), Economic and Social Development Programme (2016 and 2017, grant), Oceanographic and Fishery Research Vessel Construction Project (2017, loan).

Cultural Exchange:

• (a) Receiving Moroccan students to study in Japan as Japanese governmental scholars every year
• (b) Senior volunteers from JICA teach Japanese language in several institutes including Mohammad V University.
• (c) Cultural grants were provided in the past, and cultural projects are being held in the Japanese Embassy.

Friendship League:

• Japan-Morocco Parliamentary Friendship League
• Morocco-Japan Parliamentary Friendship League
• Japan-Morocco Association
• Morocco-Japan Friendship Association

VIP Visits