The industrial revolution of Europe in the 1800s did not touch Morocco at all due to the conservative Islamic religious leaders and the feudal and tribal life led by the people.
After my discussion with family members I am visualizing the process of industrial revolution in Morocco in three phases.
1. French occupation of Morocco brought in a major change in terms of technology, business and industries. The French occupation paved way for building of thousand kilometers of railroads that encouraged trade between various regions of the country. It was during the French occupation many of Morocco’s dams were built. Many present day schools that follow the French model of education also were created at that time.
2. King Hassan II adopted the policy of free market economy in independent morocco and strengthened the infrastructure created by the French. He encouraged trade of phosphates which is one of the main exports of Morocco. He encouraged tourism and created better opportunities for agriculture.
3. The present reign of Mohammed VI would be the third phase of industrial revolution where a lot of importance is being given to manufacturing industries, information technology and green technology
o Morocco signed an agreement as early as in the year 1856 to open up its domestic markets to European traders
o In 1992 morocco signed the law of foreign trade and officially began free trade with rest of the world.
o This is an important step in the industrial growth of morocco
o In 2007 Morocco launched an Industrial Park in the Bouskoura region near Casablanca worth 247 million USD.
o In 2009, Morocco launched a series of Industrial parks in Tangier worth about 900 million dollars to attract Industries and Business companies to the underdeveloped northern regions of Morocco.
o Casa Tech Park was established in year 2001
o Morocco is investing a lot of money in developing airports and ports.
o Morocco has invested 9 billion dollars into solar energy to the remote parts of the country.
o By 2020 Morocco aims to generate 30% of electric need through solar energy.
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