Spanish Enclaves Ceuta and Melilla Face Economic Crisis as Smuggling Trade Ends

No more smuggling in Fnideq, Nador or the surrounding towns. No more presence of merchants who crossed Ceuta and Melilla daily. Since the closure of these two cities in March 2020, the end of smuggling is becoming more and more apparent, much to the chagrin of families, especially the "mule women" who are on the front line of this illicit trade. According to estimates, this trade generated more than 1.5 billion euros in revenue for the two cities, but cost the Moroccan treasury between 360 and 540 million euros annually in customs duties.

On the Spanish side, the authorities of Ceuta and Melilla have made the modernization of the two crossings a priority, but the reopening of these cities is not for tomorrow. To manage the commercial, social and security aspects related to the end of smuggling, an interministerial commission has been set up to draw up a roadmap, reports Al Ahdath al Maghribia.

On the Moroccan side, various projects focused in particular on the forest and marine assets of the northern cities have been implemented to support the population who lived on this smuggling. Some women are already investing in entrepreneurship, with the support of local authorities, while others are among the beneficiaries of the Integrated Economic Initiatives Program which runs until 2023, the program of inclusion through economic activities, the program of the Ministry of Solidarity dedicated to regional development or the Solidarity Economy Development Program.