Moroccan Political Structure Strengths
From International Business Wiki
One of the decisions business people need to make is whether to take their product or service into a new country. One aspect of the process would to look at a country’s political structure and see that the support systems or roads to success are available.
Morocco is a constitutional monarchy and this type of government has the benefit of having two roads that could help lead entering Morocco’s market. One road is the bureaucratic route to enter the markets; the other is using advantages to get assistance by Morocco’s head of state, the King. It is important to point out that governmental strengths are relative. Morocco is almost unique in the Muslim world because it is a constitutional monarchy which means it does not suffer from the same issues as Saudi Arabia, an absolute monarchy, or problems that arise from one party government or religious theocracy, that you find throughout North Africa and the Middle East. Above all the monarchy and government is stable, a continuous government since Moroccan Independence from France in 1956.
The King of Morocco has more authority than the judiciary or legislative branches of government. He can appoint and dismiss ministers, including the prime minister. With all this power he can be a huge asset to have on your side if you are trying to do business in the kingdom. In one instance he used his constitutional power and author Marvine Howe says the king’s shadow government was becoming more visible when he was using some of his political power. “As the cabinet appeared bogged down by bureaucracy and bickering, the king’s advisers and hand picked governors were everywhere, launching programs taking political decisions, and inaugurating works to be carried out by the government.” (Howe, 2005, p. 235). This political structure is one of getting things done even if there isn’t agreement with the elected officials. The launching of programs could be seen as forward moving for the economy. It could also be a technique to enter the markets if your services or business would help programs being launched. Howe also says, “Business and financial circles, however, enthusiastically welcomed the king’s move as an opportunity to bring new momentum to economic development.” (Howe, 2005, pp. 244-5)
The governors, who are in charge of the countries Provinces and Urban Prefectures, and Ministers that the king appoints, are the people who actually pick the people to fill the seats of the lower order officials. This is another positive in having a good relationship with the king which is by being a company having ideas in line with the goals he is trying to achieve. There could be a trickle effect that gets people in places that could help start businesses.
The levels of government have popularly elected bodies and this is a strength in Morocco’s political system in getting international business in the country. If you can get the popular support of your product or service you could be on the right track for getting any permission to move into the country. Start at the bottom and work your way up to the top.
Part of the politics in Morocco is for the government is to encourage or discourage certain activities. Business people abreast of the governments’ goals are going to find potential in the market by knowing these goals. According the US Department of State, Morocco is trying to create employment opportunities by promoting investment in tourism, industrial, fishing and service industries. The website maroc.ma the Portail national du Maroc there is a section titled “Attractive Judicial Framework” on the current efforts to improve the investment environment. It mentions modernizing all the regulation and laws to consolidate the attractiveness to foreign investors. The political structure of Morocco is craving international business to help their economy.
[edit] References
Howe, M (2005). Morocco: the Islamist awakening and other challenges. New York, NY: Oxford University Press, Inc.
