Since 2010, Morocco has launched its national logistic development strategy in a particular context, the difficult international economic conjuncture and the state’s budget constraints called for a rapid action to put in place authorities of good governance. What were the action plans defined for the good execution of this strategy? Aziz Rabbah delivers his answers to Moroccan Industry.
IDM : What is the scope of your last signature with the Industry department?
Abdelaziz Rabbah:We consider logistics as a key factor for the success of big projects. It’s what pushed us to change our global logistic strategy on files with horizontal characters like training or organisation or even platforms towards plans with sector characters. This is the coverage of our last signature with the Ministry of Industry in the presence of his Majesty the King, new integration plans of logistics in the whole industrial zones, which will allow manufacturers to benefit from the advantages of a close logistics.
What about agriculture and agribusiness activities?
We agreed with the Ministry of Agriculture to integrate logistics in the different Agro poles which will permit practitioners to have new solutions and services especially cooling logistics that will support production and exportation. Today is a vital asset to equip exporters with cooling transportation so they can offer quality products and increase their competitiveness with other countries. Where are we with the port strategy? Since 2012, Morocco has adopted a new strategy that aims at creating 5 ports such as the ports of Jorf Lasfar and Dakhla and the expansion other ports like Casablanca. This strategy pushed us to opt for three shifts of 8 hours to ensure a 24h/24h management of all the ports and also a new management plan for the habour space. All the decisions were taken to give new breathe to our competitiveness that was slow compared to our competitors.
According to you, what are the hindrances to the development of Morocco’s logistics?
Morocco faces a big problem of furniture logistic especially for storage and flow of goods, as well as parking and construction materials. This is why we developed a new urban logistic plan that will be applied first in Casablanca. The ministry will play a role of accompanying operators for the good execution of all operations.
What explains the delays registered ?
Morocco faced a particular context at the time of the launching of the National logistic strategy in 2010. First, we faced financial difficulties. Second, the Kingdom faced a decrease in its economic growth which didn’t encourage foreign investors to choose Morocco to settle. But this didn’t discourage us. Then in 2011, the creation of Moroccan agency for development of logistic which in its turn permitted the reduction of logistics costs and accompanying operators in the realization of their projects and therefore reducing the gap with our main competitors.
Urban logistic is therefore a priority…
The ministry took the choice to upgrade the urban logistics by establishing a new program for the 2016-2021 period in partnership with other big towns in Morocco, beginning with Casablanca. This program aims to optimize logistic practices in towns such as delivery and circulation and this by adapting adequate equipment and infrastructures.
