 WORLD TRADE CENTER CASABLANCA
Location: Morocco The Kingdom of Morocco is the most westerly of the North African countries known as the Maghreb - the "Arab West". It has Atlantic and Mediterranean coastlines, a rugged mountain interior and a history of independence not shared by its neighbours. It has rich culture with blends of Arab, Berber, European and African influences. Morocco was a French protectorate from 1912 to 1956, when Sultan Mohammed became king. He was succeeded in 1961 by his son, Hassan II, who ruled for 38 years and played a prominent role in the search for peace in the Middle East. Full name: The Kingdom of Morocco Morocco with its close proximity to Europe as well as relatively low labour costs has capitalised in building a diverse, open, market-oriented economy. In the 1980s Morocco pursued austerity measures and pro-market reforms, overseen by the IMF. Since taking the throne in 1999, King MOHAMMED VI has presided over a stable economy marked by steady growth, low inflation, and generally declining government debt. Industrial development strategies and infrastructure improvements, most visibly the new port and free trade zone near Tangiers which are improving Morocco's competitiveness. Key sectors of the economy include agriculture, tourism, phosphates, textiles, apparel, and subcomponents. GDP: $104.9 billion (2015 est.) GDP by Sector: Agriculture: 13.1%, industry: 29.8%, services: 57.2% (2016 est.) Exports: $18.72 billion (2016 est.) Main Exports: Clothing and textiles, electric components, inorganic chemicals, transistors, crude minerals, fertilizers (including phosphates), petroleum products, citrus fruits, vegetables, fish. Imports: $33.15 billion (2016 est.) Main Imports: Crude petroleum, textile fabric, telecommunications equipment, wheat, gas and electricity, transistors, plastics. World Trade Centers Holdings Cyprus, holds the license for Casablanca, which is a city in western Morocco, located on the Atlantic Ocean. The first settlers were Berber fishermen in the 7th century with various other influences coming in over the years such as Arab, Portuguese, and French. Casablanca is Morocco's largest city as well as its chief port and is also the biggest city in the Maghreb region. It is the country’s economical and cultural capital. This is where the money is being made, where the industry is, where art galleries show the best contemporary art and where fashion designers have a window on the world. |
