Morocco’s Car Rental Industry in Crisis, Seeks Government Aid

These professionals are exhausted and are asking to be included in the program contract concluded for the tourism sector. Durably affected by the effects of the health crisis, car rental companies are turning to the government.

To this end, a meeting is scheduled, according to the newspaper L’Opinion, between the supervising minister Mohamed Abdeljalil and the Federation of Car Rental Companies without Drivers in Morocco (FLASCAM). A so-called "resurrection" meeting, they stressed, because "they are already in the grave".

According to L’Opinion, more than 7,000 people working in car rental companies have lost their jobs in Morocco since the start of Covid-19. In addition, in March 2021, there were already more than 3,200 bankruptcies of companies active in this sector, which is highly dependent on tourism, said Tarik Dbilij.

According to the official, this number has increased considerably, especially since the latest measure to close air and sea borders, extended until at least the end of January.

"We are eagerly awaiting the reopening of the borders to resume our activities. And even after this resumption, it will take at least 3 to 4 months before a return to normal in the operation of our companies," FLASCAM said.