Inter-Arab trade is still low

This report  points to the lack of transparency, especially with regard to the cumbersome administrative procedures and the differences between the economic policies of countries. It is also about the practice of dumping measures and protectionism to promote domestic products, according to the Moroccan business daily Les Echos.

The article attributes these problems to the weakness of  the Arab countries within the international trading system   which is dominated by Western markets.The report considers that inter-Arab trade is unable to meet the challenge of free trade. This, despite the presence of promising investment opportunities in the region, especially in agriculture, industry, tourism, real estate and transportation.

In order to deal with obstacles to inter-Arab trade, the report recommends facilitating customs procedures and unifying the rates. It also calls for increased investment flows, enhanced administrative transparency and policy coordination on national trade, and to ensure the free movement of goods, capital and people, the artice concludes.

Following the visit of King Mohammed VI to the Gulf countries the GCC countries agreed investment of US$ 5 billion over five years for different projects in the Kingdom. The GCC has extended an invitation to Morocco and Jordan to join the GCC.Whilst the eurozone crisis continues , the Gulf countries, especially Qatar are flourishing economically and whilst trade flows have not yet substantially increased the GCC offers Morocco important trading and investment  opportunities for the future including islamic finance. Morocco's european market is likely to continue to be  important because of its proximity and the long term connections.