Morocco

The importance of weather-dependent non irrigated agriculture in Morocco’s economy has made growth historically uneven. In 2001, the country recorded satisfactory results in both growth and the consolidation of macroeconomic stability. GDP increased by 6.5 per cent (compared with 1 per cent in 2000) fuelled by a 27.3 per cent surge in agriculture. GDP growth should be 4.2 per cent in 2002 and about 4 per cent in 2003. Inflation is expected to remain under control at 2.5 per cent in 2002 (driven by higher food prices) and to rise slightly, to 3 per cent, in 2003. To sustain growth, the government will have to press on with its reform programme and to bring industry up to standard in preparation for the 2012 implementation of the free trade agreement with the European Union...