HIBAPRESS
The Minister of Industry and Trade, Ryad Mazour, affirmed on Wednesday in Marrakech that regulation must serve as a lever to ensure fair, transparent, and integrated markets.
Mazour said in a recorded speech via video technology during an international conference on the topic "Digital Platforms.. Evolution of Professions and Competitive Challenges" organized by the Competition Council, that regulation should focus on three priority axes: framing and redefining "the relationship between platforms and local actors", "transparency" and pricing policies on platforms operating in Morocco, and "expanding the concept of data protection" and consumer protection.
After mentioning that digital platforms have become "indispensable intermediaries" and "integrated systems" that provide potential in the field of innovation, value creation, and job opportunities, the Minister highlighted that this economy also creates important challenges in terms of transparency, fair practices, legal security, "digital sovereignty" and consumer protection.
In this context, he pointed out that the Ministry is preparing a draft law primarily dedicated to enhancing consumer protection in the field of e-commerce, clarifying that the Ministry is also committed to promoting competitiveness and protecting the local production fabric through the imminent launch of a national study on e-commerce to define a new public policy in this field, and the use of "TijarIA" platforms (providing information on foreign trade based on artificial intelligence) and "(Moroccan Retail Tech Builder) to support startups in e-commerce and protect sovereignty while encouraging the emergence of local platforms.
Mazour praised in this regard two main initiatives represented by the "gradual dismantling" of the quasi-complete monopoly of the cash center to open the electronic payment market, and measures to "get rid of the legal monopoly" for delivering parcels weighing less than one kilogram.
This international conference is attended by representatives of governance bodies, national, international and regional institutions and organizations, in addition to the social and economic entities concerned with the issues raised by the promotion of digital platforms, as well as experts and specialists in related issues.
This meeting, which highlights the progress made and the challenges that must be addressed in this strategic field, is an opportunity to share best practices in this field, and to contribute to establishing economic governance that is in line with the interests of citizens, companies, and countries.
(MAP)
