HIBAPRESS – Mohammed Zriouh
Economic circles in occupied Melilla have expressed deep concern regarding the cessation of commercial activity through customs with Morocco, despite four years having passed since the announcement of the reopening of the crossing as part of the understandings between Rabat and Madrid. The head of the Melilla Business Association says that the movement of goods is almost non-existent, and confirms that the reopening of the crossing in February 2025 did not lead to any actual commercial activity, as it was limited to very limited operations for the passage of trucks, with the almost complete absence of passage in the opposite direction.
The main reasons for this situation are the absence of a clear legal framework regulating trade, in addition to the continued regulatory restrictions and administrative procedures that hinder the flow of trade exchanges. These factors collectively prevent the recovery of commercial activity, which was in the past one of the main pillars of the city's economy, which increases the complexity of the economic situation in Melilla.
Despite official statements indicating an improvement in relations between Morocco and Spain, economic actors in the city describe the situation as a great disappointment, confirming that the volume of trade between the two countries exceeds 20 billion euros annually, yet Melilla remains outside this growing economic circle. This situation increases the complexity of the suffering that the city is experiencing in light of its continuous attempts to achieve economic recovery.
While Melilla seeks to diversify its economy by moving towards new sectors such as tourism and technology, revitalizing trade with Morocco remains an essential issue that cannot be ignored. Local actors are demanding that practical and clear measures be taken to reactivate trade exchanges between the two sides, which may represent a real starting point towards the city's recovery and the return of balance to its faltering economy.
