Investing in Morocco

Diksha Moderator

4832POSTS

6 years ago

Hello everyone,

During your expatriation in Morocco, you might have been made aware of interesting investment schemes (local or international). Whether one wants to make money grow, protect oneself or prepare for retirement, investment is always an attractive option. It is, however, never free of risk. Would you, therefore, like to share some practical information for other expats and expats to be?

Is the Moroccan economy open to foreign investment? Do local authorities encourage investment (through formalities, tax etc.)?

What are the promising sectors to invest and do business in Morocco?

Who do you turn to for information before investing your money? (organisation, professional, lawyer, consultant)

According to the sectors of activity and the projects, what budget should be foreseen for an investment in Morocco?

What do you think are the pitfalls to avoid and what advice would you give someone who wants to invest?

Thanks in advance for your feedback,
Diksha

2 members reacted to this post

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aminmuhammad New member

7POSTS

6 years ago

I’m from the USA and I married in Morocco. I haven’t yet figured this one out. I work in IT and can’t even get a reply from companies there. Probably because I only speak اللغة العربية الفصحى الحديثة and English. I’d love to buy a villa for use when there and rental whole not. But if anyone wants to connect to discuss it more I’m interested. Thanks. مع السلامة

salih@morocco Member

1POSTS

6 years ago

hi ,
I can give you a brief situation about investing in morocco ,
the mean economic sectors are , agrecultur fishing phosfates and tourisme , olso the freezone are growing over morocco in the north and near by the economic capitale of the country Casablance.
i can say that morocco is an major actor in MENA, and becaming the platform of investment and the gate to Africa.
for further information you can visite the moroccanm government website for foring investment ,
investinmoroco
good luck

GuestPoster323 Guest

0POSTS

6 years ago

Hi am very interested in a couple of villas to invest in would like to have more Information on this please if anyone can share information

aminmuhammad New member

7POSTS

6 years ago

Hi Vicki,

I am interested in the same kind of investment. You're welcome yo inbox me to discuss what I've learned so far. Thanks.

1 member reacted to this post

aminmuhammad New member

7POSTS

6 years ago

Love vicki wrote:
Hi am very interested in a couple of villas to invest in would like to have more Information on this please if anyone can share information

Hi Vicki,

I am interested in the same kind of investment. You're welcome yo inbox me to discuss what I've learned so far. Thanks.

GuestPoster323 Guest

0POSTS

6 years ago

Hi am interested in what you know already about your investment
Vicki

Malik1sabir New member

4POSTS

5 years ago

Hi,
I live in the uk and i am interested in the agriculture business in morocco. Can you give me more information. I hear if you are a foreigner you cannot own agricultural land. Is this correct. If so can you get around this by setting up a moroccan company?
You say you are studying agriculture. When does your course finish. What does the course cover? Does your course look at permaculture, no till method ect. Which city you from brother.

Adam rachak Active member

28POSTS

5 years ago

#10

Hi . This is my whatsapp 0615313621

You can ask me everything in this projects

DGJeLe Member

2POSTS

5 years ago

#11

Hello. From my own experience with my group investing in morroco, I have learned two lessons. If you don't have a reputation in morroco it is hard to get recognised. It does not matter what you do elsewhere. It takes extra time to deal with the government. Still morroco offers some opportunities at a risk.
My biggest tip is this one. Stay away from middleman. You will meet plenty of people who will want to help and you will meet a lot that will want to take advantage of you. I have met interpreters that followed their own plan of using contacts that we had. Then forcing us to accept them as shareholders etc. So be careful. One other reason to not deal with middleman is this one. If I get approached sometimes, i recognise this type of businessman. You as an entrepreneur will have a difficult start if you don't represent yourself. While there is nothing wrong of paying for services, the demands of middleman will get bigger once you are more depending on them. So my advice start a little business, get recognised by the business people around you, make your own contacts and advance you business. Best of luck

1 member reacted to this post

Vakil Morocco Expert

426POSTS

5 years ago

#12

Hi, yes it’s true as a Expat/ non Moroccan you cannot own agricultural land for agricultural project. Usually people put these types of project under another local person such as their wife if they are married to a Moroccan.

By owning a company in morocco does not allow you to own agriculture project from my knowledge. However there are special situation depending on how much you are investing in the country. You might be able to own some shares in these projects but not a controlling right.

Depending on what your trying to do as a project would determine how you could or would structure it.

I agree be very careful with dealing with locals as there are far to many that will waste your money and time. But learn the market and seek assistance from expat like you are now.

If you require anything assistance feel free to ask.

I’m an expat that’s been living in morocco for 7 years and also have consulting firms in morocco in project management and investments along with consulting.

We’re always here to help. Stay safe.

ESABER Invest Holding

1 member reacted to this post

Malik1sabir New member

4POSTS

5 years ago

#13

Thankyou for your help. I am an experienced business person and aware of these issues. Just seeking advice at moment to see if feasible for an expat. Are expats allowed to buy farm house or does that come under banner of agricultural land. As i know we can buy property.

1 member reacted to this post

Vakil Morocco Expert

426POSTS

5 years ago

#14

Hi. Unfortunately if the land has not been changed to residential then it would fall under agriculture. Making it impossible for a non Moroccan to own.

Sometimes you can get the land changed to residential if which permission can be granted.

However you cannot start a agriculture busienss on your home of residence. For personal use I think it would be fine.

Hope this helps.

paul von Active member

62POSTS

5 years ago

#15

there is many idea for investing in morocco , you can do a restaurant with foreign food
like your
british or i don't know
you can do a cafe , tearoom , .... small supermarket .... and many many more

paul von Active member

62POSTS

5 years ago

#16

that if you you like the quick income
the argriculture business give you extra money yes but affter hard working and one year of working if you find the good person and location

Malik1sabir New member

4POSTS

5 years ago

#17

Any one who has extensive experience in a business and looking to set up on his own but looking for partner and capital investment please message me. Only serious experienced people need apply.

2 members reacted to this post

Vakil Morocco Expert

426POSTS

5 years ago

#18

There are many safe ways to transfer money to Morocco and there are no transfer restriction when sending Money to Morocco

Before sending money to anyone one should conduct their research correctly

Regards
ESABER invest holding

AlanWB Active member

35POSTS

4 years ago

#19

Salam to everyone.
As a foreigner married to a lovely Moroccan lady, I'd love to invest in Morocco. However, after reading horror stories about people having great difficulties taking their money our of the country and having to jump through hoops before finally being allowed to take only a portion of their money (and losing in commissions and taxes) I'm a little conscious of what may happen in case I'm put in a similar situation.
I've recently heard that legal changes have now been made to encourage more investment in the country.
1.Can anyone comment on this further please?
2. What is the ACTUAL foreign investor tax structure compared to Spain?
3. Are there tax free or reduced tax periods for investors like us?
Thank you for your time.

LendasJourney Active member

39POSTS

4 years ago

#20

Hello and yes I am interested in conversation,
thank you lenda

LendasJourney Active member

39POSTS

4 years ago

#21

Hello and yes , I am working on a project here in Morocco

Vakil Morocco Expert

426POSTS

4 years ago

#22

AlanWB wrote:
Salam to everyone.
As a foreigner married to a lovely Moroccan lady, I'd love to invest in Morocco. However, after reading horror stories about people having great difficulties taking their money our of the country and having to jump through hoops before finally being allowed to take only a portion of their money (and losing in commissions and taxes) I'm a little conscious of what may happen in case I'm put in a similar situation.
I've recently heard that legal changes have now been made to encourage more investment in the country.
1.Can anyone comment on this further please?
2. What is the ACTUAL foreign investor tax structure compared to Spain?
3. Are there tax free or reduced tax periods for investors like us?
Thank you for your time.

Sallams, Great topic and questions. I myself is a British Expat been in Morocco for 7 years now and have invested vast amount in to Morocco. Some good and some bad but that's business i guess.

The rules can be quite complex at time but they are trying to simplify it. Tax relief depends on where you invest and how much you invest and where you decide to operate within Morocco. you have the Freezone and the Financial zone which also offers its own benefits for investors.

We operate a consulting and asset management company in Morocco and happy to give the right advise when you are ready to invest.

But please do forget all the horror stories this occurs in every country for any new overseas investors. Its just knowing the right rules as foreigners you are not bound by the local rules for local citizen so you can take your money back out as long as you have the right structure and right types of accounts.

no tricks are required its just about setting up the company in the correct way that the country allows. Understanding it can be difficult but that's the same as any other country.

hope this gives some clarity but would need more details on what your trying to achieve and what you end goal maybe.

Feel free to message privately should you want to.

regards
Arif Esa