Over 75 Percent of Foreign Investors Increasingly Confident In Morocco's Economy | Survey

Skhirat (25km south of Rabat),76% of foreign businessmen (against 56% in 2006) are increasingly confident in Morocco's economy and highly appreciate the attractiveness policy adopted by the north African country, according to a survey unveiled on Thursday at the Fifth International Conference on Investment. The annual survey titled "Attractiveness Barometer Morocco 2007" showed that investors are more and more satisfied with Morocco's offer quality. According to the survey, 66% of the decision-makers asserted that Morocco is particularly attractive in terms of telecommunications infrastructure quality (up from 57% last year), while the level of labor force's skills and the practicing of foreign languages are a source of satisfaction for respectively 53% and 67% of the respondents who insisted on developing education (54%) and streamlining administrative procedures (51%). The survey also suggests that 73% of those polled (in comparison to 67% in 2006) are satisfied with the access to the European market, and 65% (as against 56% a year before) appreciate the stability of the political environment. The north African country enjoys a rate of 67% of satisfaction with competitive costs, thus outranking France (29%) and German (26%), the survey shows noting, however, that the kingdom is lagging behind in terms of labor force quality (53% of satisfaction compared with 84% for German and 77% for Italy). Besides industry, the sector of Offshoring continues to attract foreign investors who place Morocco first with 21% ahead of France, the United Kingdom and Spain, with a 2-point progress compared with last year. Implantation intentions in Morocco have also markedly increased, according to the survey, to reach 45% against 39% last year, while 84% of the investors already implanted in Morocco planning to expand their investments or developing new activities. Some 204 international decision-makers took part in this survey, 58% of whom are not operating in the north African country, questioned over the period October 9-26. The 5th Fundamentals of Investment gathering themed "Moroccan Investors of the World, Actors of Economic Diplomacy" brings together nearly 1,500 political and economic personalities as well as academicians from around the world. Several topics will be tackled during the conference, including “Mobilizing expatriate talents to develop their country of origin,” “Mobilizing Moroccan potential abroad: policies, initiatives and success stories” and “building, financing and promoting networks.”