HIBAPRESS – Abdelatif Barka
The draft finance law for 2027 places the maritime fishing and aquaculture sector at the heart of the Kingdom's strategic priorities, thus enshrining an ambitious vision that seeks to enhance Morocco's leadership in the blue economy and to dignify the professionals of the sector, after the project presented an integrated package of customs, structural, and social measures aimed at raising economic competitiveness and ensuring maritime safety.
In this context, the project approved the extension of the reduced preferential tariff system at 2.5% on imports of fish feed intended for aquaculture until the end of 2029. This is a stimulus measure primarily aimed at reducing production costs and providing a stable investment environment for economic developers to alleviate pressure on natural fish stocks. In parallel with these financial incentives, the government is committed to allocating significant financial credits to modernize the infrastructure of the maritime rescue and safety system by 2030, including the acquisition of six advanced, high-speed rescue boats, the establishment of 32 radio communication stations to monitor the safety of vessels at sea, as well as the equipping and renovation of 22 health annexes in ports to provide immediate and accessible medical care for sailors.
To keep pace with this logistical momentum, the draft law accelerates the pace of major investments in port facilities, with the Dakhla Atlantic port works reaching 70% completion, making it a strategic economic hub towards the African depth. In parallel, approximately 1.5 billion dirhams have been allocated to secure the second phase of the Casablanca port breakwater, and 564 million dirhams have been earmarked for coastal protection against erosion and port dredging in Safi, Salé, and Jorf Lasfar.
This comprehensive vision is complemented by an advanced social and administrative aspect that emphasizes the effective implementation of compulsory health coverage for various categories of sailors (traditional, coastal, and high seas) and the structuring of labor relations to ensure their professional stability. This is supported by accelerating digital transition to simplify procedures and establish effective administrative decentralization, with the allocation of 220 new financial positions for the Ministry of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development, Water and Forests to recruit competent individuals capable of leading these promising structural projects.
