Rabat – Morocco’s southern provinces are poised to benefit from new economic opportunities following the signing of a revised agricultural agreement with the European Union (EU) on Friday.
Rachid Bennali, President of the Moroccan Confederation of Agriculture and Rural Development (COMDER), highlighted the potential for local growth. Speaking to Morocco’s national broadcaster, SNRT News, Bennali emphasized that the deal will not only bolster existing investments in the southern regions but also attract new ones, contributing to both economic and social development. It is expected to generate job opportunities in agriculture and related sectors.
Signed at the European Commission headquarters in Brussels, the agreement ensures that agricultural products from Morocco’s southern regions, including Western Sahara, will have the same preferential access to European markets as those from the rest of the country. Additionally, it introduces labeling requirements to specify the origin of products, such as “Laayoune-Sakia El Hamra” and “Dakhla-Oued Ed-Dahab,” further reinforcing the Moroccan identity of goods from these regions.
Bennali also pointed out that the agreement aligns with efforts by other international partners, including the United States, to encourage investment in the southern provinces. He argued that this deal opens up new opportunities for the agricultural sector, especially for small and medium-sized producers seeking to expand into European markets.
The revised agreement, which facilitates market access and attracts investment, is set to significantly contribute to the economic growth and job creation in the southern provinces, marking a key milestone in Morocco’s ongoing development in these areas.
Morocco’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed strong support for the deal, stating that it “strengthens an already robust commercial relationship and consolidates a solid partnership, with Morocco being the EU’s primary economic partner in both Africa and the Arab world.”
The amended agreement builds on the 2018 exchange of letters between Morocco and the EU and resolves long-standing issues regarding the application of trade benefits to Morocco’s southern provinces.
Beyond boosting investment and supporting local producers, the agreement reinforces Morocco’s position in the Western Sahara dispute, particularly as international recognition of its sovereignty continues to grow. Several countries, including the United States, France, Portugal, and the United Kingdom, have recognized Morocco’s sovereignty over the region and backed its autonomy plan.