Morocco Develops Automobile Industry Despite Global Trade Slowdown

Employees work at the assembly line of Dacia Sandero cars at a factory operated by Somaca in Tangiers (file photo: Reuters)
Employees work at the assembly line of Dacia Sandero cars at a factory operated by Somaca in Tangiers (file photo: Reuters)
TT
20

Morocco Develops Automobile Industry Despite Global Trade Slowdown

Employees work at the assembly line of Dacia Sandero cars at a factory operated by Somaca in Tangiers (file photo: Reuters)
Employees work at the assembly line of Dacia Sandero cars at a factory operated by Somaca in Tangiers (file photo: Reuters)

Morocco’s recent involvement in global value chains for automobiles is an example of a country’s ability to expand its own trade despite global trade slowdown, according to the Arab Sustainable Development report.

The report, issued by the United Nations bodies operating in the region, headed by the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), said that Morocco sought to diversify its sources of growth through the development of the automotive industry by launching its Renault-Nissan Tangier plant in 2012.

The report noted that the automobile manufacturing saw a 20 percent annual growth in Morocco, and became a major driver for the country’s exports, adding that it is supposed to help launch the Peugeot-Citroen plant in Kenitra, further consolidating its position.

It also indicates the untapped potential for Arab countries to participate in the international economy.

The report noted that “improved investment is a policy choice” calling upon Arab countries to support innovation and entrepreneurship, absorb the potential and capacities of youth, create a conducive environment for the development of new industries, and integrate countries further into global value chains.

“Make greater efforts to forge agreements between countries to foster full regional integration and increased access to global value chains.”

In the field of adopting modern technology as a mechanism for implementation in the Arab region, the report sees that Morocco, along with a few other countries, has adopted noteworthy initiatives. It pointed out that educational systems, political structures, and social norms in most countries do not focus on critical thinking and creativity, which prevented the emergence of a critical mass of people effectively using, innovating, and producing technology.

The weak absorptive capacity in many countries has resulted in the widespread consumerist approach where people use technologies and products, without producing or adapting them according to their local needs.

Morocco is one of the few Arab countries that have adopted guaranteeing access to information as a fundamental right, according to the report.

Also, the document highlighted that some countries have made great strides in reducing maternal mortality, including Morocco, especially in rural areas.

It called for greater equality in health care provided especially maternal health care and during childbirth, however, it criticized the absence of social protection systems that mitigate marginalization and exclusion in the region.

The report warned that in the Arab region, the poor, refugees, and displaced people are at the risk of being left behind when it comes to social development goals. It cautioned that the impact of the situation is borne disproportionately by groups that face multiple layers of social, economic, or political marginalization including women, persons with disabilities, migrant workers, refugees, and displaced persons.



4 Factors Behind the Decline of Saudi Stock Market in H1 2025

Two investors monitor the trading screen in the Saudi financial market in Riyadh (AFP) 
Two investors monitor the trading screen in the Saudi financial market in Riyadh (AFP) 
TT
20

4 Factors Behind the Decline of Saudi Stock Market in H1 2025

Two investors monitor the trading screen in the Saudi financial market in Riyadh (AFP) 
Two investors monitor the trading screen in the Saudi financial market in Riyadh (AFP) 

Financial analysts and market specialists have identified four main factors driving the decline of the Saudi stock market during the first half of 2025. Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, they pointed to heightened geopolitical tensions in the region, ongoing trade disputes and tariffs between the United States, China, and Europe, oil price volatility, and persistently high interest rates. Collectively, these pressures have squeezed liquidity and weighed heavily on market performance.

Despite the downturn, analysts expect the market to gradually recover over the second half of the year, supported by potential global interest rate cuts, stabilizing oil prices, easing economic uncertainty, and forecasts of robust growth in Saudi Arabia’s GDP and the non-oil sector, alongside continued government spending on major projects.

The Saudi stock market recorded notable losses in the first six months of 2025, with the benchmark index retreating 7.25%, shedding 872 points to close at 11,163, compared to 12,036 at the end of 2024. Market capitalization plunged by around $266 billion (SAR 1.07 trillion), bringing the total value of listed shares to SAR 9.1 trillion.

Seventeen sectors posted declines during this period, led by utilities, which plummeted nearly 32%. The energy sector fell 13%, and basic materials dropped 8%. In contrast, telecom stocks advanced around 7%, while the banking sector eked out a marginal 0.05% gain.

Dr. Suleiman Al-Humaid Al-Khalidi, a financial analyst and member of the Saudi Economic Association, described the first-half performance as marked by significant swings. “The index rose to 12,500 points, only to lose nearly 2,000 points before recovering to about 11,260,” he said.

He attributed the volatility to several factors: regional geopolitical strains, oil prices dipping to $56 a barrel, and high interest rates, which constrained liquidity. He noted that financing costs for traders now range between 7.5% and 9%, historically elevated levels.

“The Saudi market posted the steepest decline among regional exchanges despite record banking sector profits, which failed to translate into stronger overall index performance,” he observed.

Looking ahead, Al-Khalidi anticipates three interest rate cuts totaling 0.75 percentage points by next year, which would bring rates down to about 3.75%. “That should encourage a recovery in trading activity, improve liquidity, and support an upward trend in the index toward 12,000 points, potentially reaching 13,500 if momentum builds,” he added.

Meanwhile, Mohamed Hamdy Omar, economic analyst and CEO of G-World, described the downturn as largely expected, citing external pressures and prolonged trade tensions between the US, China, and Europe. “Retaliatory tariffs dampened investor confidence globally, and Saudi Arabia was no exception,” he said.

Lower oil revenues also strained state finances, leading to a budget deficit of SAR 58.7 billion in the first quarter, further tightening liquidity. Trading volumes fell over 30% year-on-year.

Omar pointed out that changes to land tax regulations and heightened regional security risks also weighed on sentiment. Nonetheless, he expects gradual improvement in the second half of 2025, driven by anticipated rate cuts, rebounding oil prices, and continued large-scale public investments.

He stressed the need for vigilance: “Saudi Arabia remains among the most stable markets, thanks to proactive regulation and policies designed to attract foreign capital and bolster investor confidence.”