Morocco positions itself as a key player in “open regionalism”

Wednesday 22 October 2025 - 15:00

By: Sahili Aya

Morocco positions itself as a key player in “open regionalism”

Geneva, October 22, 2025 — Morocco is emerging as a model of “open and competitive regionalism,” combining trade openness with regional and international partnerships to navigate the uncertainties of global trade policies, Minister of Industry and Trade Ryad Mezzour said Tuesday in Geneva.

Highlighting Morocco’s free trade agreements with over 100 countries — including African nations, the Arab world, the European Union, the United States, and Turkey — Mezzour noted that this strategy not only opens access to new markets but also strengthens the competitiveness and innovation of Moroccan businesses. “Openness, competition, and market access make us stronger. It’s like playing in the World Cup: you must be ready to face the best to succeed,” he said during a panel discussion on regionalism and trade policy uncertainty.

The minister also emphasized HM King Mohammed VI’s vision for an integrated, prosperous, and resilient Africa, supported by major projects in infrastructure, renewable energy, and regional integration. This approach aims to build economic bridges between Morocco, the African continent, and the rest of the world, complementing multilateral systems amid the rise of unilateral trade measures.