Morocco Plans Special Trade Zone for Former Ceuta Border Merchants

The Moroccan authorities are considering the implementation of an action plan, aimed at offering the possibility of reconversion to families who lived from illegal activities after the definitive closure of the Tarajal II border post in Bab Ceuta and the definitive cessation of the traffic of people and goods from smuggling, indicates Aujourd’hui le Maroc.

In this perspective, it is envisaged to set up, at the Bab Ceuta border post, on the Moroccan side, commercial spaces dedicated to Moroccan importing operators who could exhibit all kinds of products, mainly imported legally, through the port of Tanger Med, with target customers, the merchants of the neighboring cities, in particular, Fnideq.

In reality, these are employment hubs that will thus be created. Thus, customs duties will be levied on the volume of exported goods. Similarly, another opportunity is offered to some among the former smugglers, who will be placed directly in companies in the region or abroad.

A last category that will be difficult to redeploy, in particular people who, because of their age, lack of education, or other disability, will not be able to work. Financial assistance will have to be provided to them; an option which, according to the Moroccan public authorities, is still at the reflection stage.