© AKKA LLC 2023
MOROCCO FREE ZONES
To attract foreign investment and promote its economic activity, Morocco has recently developed export transformation zones called “Industrial Acceleration Zones”. These fertile and job-creating areas are spread across the country. They host some of the largest industrial and service operators in the world. Formerly known as industrial free trade zones, have become industrial acceleration zones in the 2020 budget law. This summarizes the strategic vision of Morocco, which seeks to better position itself on the continental and regional scene. These areas are not only reserved for companies and industries specialized in processing, production and export, but also for companies operating in the logistics and digital services (online services, software, remote assistance, etc.).
TAX ADVANTAGES:
ADVANTAGES OF PRODUCTION:
- Possibility of accessing state contributions to staff training;
- State education and training programs;
- First 2 years possibility of total exemption from employee contributions; 3 year contributions equal to 2% of the salary; from the 4th year contributions from 25% to 35% of the salary (based on the salary bracket);
- Employee base salary cost 300.00 Euro/month;
- Electricity cost 0.06 Euro/Kw (thanks to the energy surplus, Morocco guarantees very competitive and stable energy prices);
- Free movement of goods;
- Financial aid for investment;
- Exemption from the requirements issued by the Foreign Exchange Office in terms of currency transfer;
- Possibility for companies based in the free trade area to sell their products, goods and services on the Moroccan market up to 15% of their export turnover during the previous year;
- First 5 years of total tax exemption; from the 6th year flat rate of 17,5% on the profit;
- Free trade within free zones;
- Free trade agreements with 50 countries (including EU, US, Australia, Japan, Middle East, etc.);
- Total VAT exemption;Total exemption from customs duties for IMPORT and EXPORT;
AKKA SUPPORT SERVICES:
AKKA FINACIAL SERVICES:
- We provide a wide range of services to companies wishing to establish themselves in these privileged areas or in Morocco:
- logistic and customs support.
- business development;
- support in searching for customers and suppliers;
- staff recruitment services;
- issuing of permits for settlement and construction, thanks to the collaboration with the Regional development and investment centres of the Moroccan Government and the Ministry of Development;
- tax advice and assistance;
- design, construction and realization of the new company;
Our company AKKA LLC, through a support network of investment funds, banks and excellent relations and collaboration with the Moroccan Ministry of Economic Development, offers consulting services for obtaining:
- financial partners.
- bank loans up to 70% of the total investment;
- state development subsidies and non-repayable grants;
FREE ZONES IN MOROCCO: WHICH ZONE TO CHOOSE?
Morocco has 19 industrial acceleration zones, but not all of them are operational yet. However, among the operational ones, some stand out.
MIDPARC CENTRAL PARK, AN AREA DEDICATED TO THE AERONAUTICAL AND SPACE INDUSTRY
In addition to aviation and space companies, it is also home to the defense and security giants and industries of the future, particularly in the medical and electronics fields.
Located just a few kilometers from Morocco's main air gateway, Mohamed V International Airport, the hub provides a unique logistic location that provides direct access to the rest of Africa and Europe. In addition, the platform has an excellent quality port, rail, air and road infrastructure. Next to Mohamed V Airport, the country's main hub serves more than 70 destinations around the world, Midparc has all the credentials to attract exporting companies.
Human resources in the Casablanca region are available at a very competitive cost.
ATLANTIC FREE ZONE (AFZ)
Located a few kilometers from Rabat, the administrative capital of the Kingdom, and Casablanca, AFZ is strategically positioned for exporting companies. The two major cities are connected to the rest of the country and the rest of the world by Morocco's most complex networks.
One of the first integrated platforms created by the National Pact for Industrial Emergence, Atlantic Free Zone is also one of the largest African platforms dedicated to exporting companies. Consisting in nearly 350 hectares, the authorities recently expanded the 90-hectare free trade zone to accommodate more investors as demand is high.
AFZ is a favourite playground for multinationals, particularly in the automotive and electronics sectors. For example, the Stellantis ecosystem, the American Adient and the Chinese Citic Dicastal have their roots in Kenitra.
TECHNOPOLIS: A SILICON VALLEY IN RABAT
Located near the administrative capital of the country, Technopolis is situated in a strategic position.
Technopolis is located near the highways main infrastructure. The park is between two airports, Rabat-Salé International Airport and the gigantic air hub of Casablanca. Home to some of the best training schools in the country, Rabat is an absolute wealth of competitive and well trained manpower. All these advantages make Technopolis a workshop where the cost of production defies all market laws.
OUJDA AND ITS CLEAN TECHNOLOGY
The big cities Rabat, Tangier and Casablanca do not have a monopoly on industrial acceleration zones. Smaller cities like Oujda, have their own industrial parks.
The Cleantech is located just 12 km from Oujda. It offers advantages that allow companies to become more competitive in this part of the country, cheap local manpower and new export opportunities.
Just 120 km from the port of Nador Beni Nsar, the platform has a unique geographical position. Located at the crossroads of Africa, Europe and the Maghreb, the park offers important opportunities to exporting companies. In terms of service infrastructures, the promised land of industrialists is at the centre of a very dense network of connectivity.
FREE ZONE OF TANGIER, AN INDUSTRIAL PLATFORM AT THE GATES OF EUROPE (TFZ)
If there is an industrial acceleration zone very close to Europe, that is Tangier. Inaugurated in 1999, the park is located at the gates of Europe while remaining open to the rest of the world.
Extending over 400 hectares, the Tangier Free Zone is in a strategic position, located just 12 km from the port of Tanger MED (the largest port in Africa located just 3/5 days transit time for Europe and 7/10 days of transit time for America). Therefore, it is not surprising the high development of this hub.
This area, full of companies, is dedicated to the textile, agri-food, logistics and services sectors. Adjacent to the international airport of the city of the Strait of Gibraltar , the TFZ is full of highly qualified workers.
The TFZ is part of the TAC (Tanger Automotive City) in which the Renault Dacia Maroc is present.