Exports price and non-price competitiveness: comparative analysis between morocco and some emerging countries

Abstract

Exports represent a major component of the economic growth of countries, especially for a small open economy such as the Moroccan economy. Since its independence, Morocco has invested a great deal of effort in order to gain its external balance. The blocking of its import substitution strategy between 1960 and 1962, based on the protection and development of local industry, pushed it to embark on a policy of openness and liberalization. The latter was concretized by the adoption of a promotion policy for exports and international outsourcing from 1983 onwards. In the light of the phenomenon of the globalization of the value chain and the internationalization of production, the country has been oriented towards a policy of specialization in new world trades since 2005.

In spite of these efforts, the trade deficit continues to grow annually. This can be explained by the increase in imported products, which are indeed imperative and indispensable for the good functioning of the national economy. This observation implies the importance of improving the competitiveness of Moroccan exports. In this sense, the analysis of the determinants of Moroccan export competitiveness is judicious.

This document aims to establish a comparative analysis of export competitiveness and its determinants between Morocco and certain emerging countries. The result of the benchmark enables to conclude the importance of structural factors as well as price factors in the improvement of the countries' export performance. The Chinese and Turkish experiences discussed in this document are rich in lessons.  However, these models can inspire Morocco, which is still a young economy looking for pillars to withstand competition and stand out internationally.