EU-Moroccan Trade Relationship Continues to Excel

According to the annual report on the implementation of the Neighborhood Policy developed by the European Commission, the European Union is increasingly becoming a more important trading partner with Morocco. The report, which was released to the public May 26, 2011 in Brussels, highlights this trade increase from 2009 to 2010. Moroccan exports to the European Union have increased by 17.6%, while exports from the European Union have grown by 14.1%.

Furthermore, the report indicates that the progress of the customs sector has improved the overall monitoring and facilitation of trade. The report notes an increase in interventions to fight piracy and counterfeiting after the signing of an agreement between Morocco and the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) in 2009. Additionally, in June 2010, Morocco participated in "Operation Sirocco", a joint operation coordinated by the OLAF and conducted by the customs authorities of the EU and 11 partner countries in the Mediterranean region to fight smuggling and fraud on specific trade routes.