Morocco's Economy Set to Grow 3.5%, IMF Says

IMF expects the Moroccan economy to grow by 3.5% in the medium term, driven by investments. (Reuters)
IMF expects the Moroccan economy to grow by 3.5% in the medium term, driven by investments. (Reuters)
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Morocco's Economy Set to Grow 3.5%, IMF Says

IMF expects the Moroccan economy to grow by 3.5% in the medium term, driven by investments. (Reuters)
IMF expects the Moroccan economy to grow by 3.5% in the medium term, driven by investments. (Reuters)

Morocco’s economy strengthened last year on recovery in domestic demand and exports, with growth expected to pick up to about 3.5 percent over the medium term, boosted by stronger investment, the International Monetary Fund has said.

Stronger domestic demand should gradually “widen the current account deficit towards 3 percent” of gross domestic product, while inflation is projected to “continue to fall slowly as pressures on commodity and food prices fade”, the IMF said on Wednesday, following a staff visit.

The gradual reduction of the fiscal deficit over the next three years looks “appropriate”, the IMF added.

“This will require completing the reform of the tax system, including the VAT [value added tax], improving tax administration, rationalizing spending, including the transfers to state-owned enterprises, and expanding the use of the Unified Social Registry to all social programs.”

Morocco must focus on accelerating structural reforms to boost inclusive growth, the IMF said.



E-commerce Giant Alibaba Has Completed 3-year 'Rectification' Period

Alibaba Group has completed three years "rectification" following a fine levied in 2021 for monopolistic behavior. Reuters
Alibaba Group has completed three years "rectification" following a fine levied in 2021 for monopolistic behavior. Reuters
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E-commerce Giant Alibaba Has Completed 3-year 'Rectification' Period

Alibaba Group has completed three years "rectification" following a fine levied in 2021 for monopolistic behavior. Reuters
Alibaba Group has completed three years "rectification" following a fine levied in 2021 for monopolistic behavior. Reuters

China's State Administration of Market Regulation issued a statement on Friday saying Alibaba Group had completed three years "rectification" following a fine levied in 2021 for monopolistic behavior.
In 2021, the regulator slapped a record $2.75 billion fine on the e-commerce giant for abusing its market position by forcing merchants on its platforms not to work with rival platforms.
The regulator's statement said Alibaba's rectification work had achieved "good results" and that it would continue to "guide" Alibaba to continue to "regulate its operations and improve its compliance and quality."
The fine levied on Alibaba in 2021 came during a period of intense scrutiny for the business empire founded by billionaire Jack Ma, Reuters reported. A $37 billion IPO by the finance arm he founded, Ant Group, was also scuttled following Ma's public critique of the country's regulatory system in late 2020.
Alibaba, in its own statement, described the regulator's announcement on Friday as a "new starting point for development" and said it would continue to "promote the healthy development of the platform economy and create more value for society."