Morocco: 6.3 Mln E-Commerce Transactions in Q1 2022

During the first quarter, Morocco recorded a total of 6.3 million payments by bank cards (Reuters)
During the first quarter, Morocco recorded a total of 6.3 million payments by bank cards (Reuters)
TT

Morocco: 6.3 Mln E-Commerce Transactions in Q1 2022

During the first quarter, Morocco recorded a total of 6.3 million payments by bank cards (Reuters)
During the first quarter, Morocco recorded a total of 6.3 million payments by bank cards (Reuters)

E-commerce websites and billers' websites affiliated to the Interbank Electronic Banking Center (CMI) have carried out 6.3 million online payment transactions via Moroccan and foreign bank cards, for a total amount of 2.3 billion dirhams ($230 million) during the first quarter of 2022.

The e-commerce activity is up 34.4 percent in number and 19.3 percent in amount compared to the same period of 2021, says the CMI in its latest report on the Moroccan electronic money activity.

The online payment activity of Moroccan cards showed an increase of 34.9 percent in the number of transactions to 5.9 million in the first quarter of 2022, and 15.1 percent in the amount to 2 billion dirhams ($200 million) in Q1-2022, the same source adds.

Regarding the activity of online payments of foreign cards, it has increased by 25.8 percent in number of transactions, to 388,000 transactions and by 63.3 percent in amount, to 272.4 million dirhams, says the CMI.

It noted that the activity is still very strongly dominated by Moroccan cards to the tune of 93.8 percent in number of transactions and 88.2 percent in amount.

The report also shows that merchants and e-merchants affiliated to CMI recorded 30.9 million payment transactions, by Moroccan and foreign bank cards, for a total amount of 12.1 billion dirhams, up 27.5 percent in number of transactions and 22.1 percent in amount.

By sector of activity, payments by Moroccan and foreign bank cards (in terms of volume) were made in the retail sector (22.7 percent), followed by the clothing sector (9.5 percent), gas stations (8.6 percent), restaurants (8.1 percent), hotels (7.2 percent), health (5.5 percent), furniture & electronics (4.8 percent) and other sectors (33.6 percent).



Saudi Non-Oil Exports Hit Two-Year High

The King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam, eastern Saudi Arabia. (“Mawani” port authority)
The King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam, eastern Saudi Arabia. (“Mawani” port authority)
TT

Saudi Non-Oil Exports Hit Two-Year High

The King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam, eastern Saudi Arabia. (“Mawani” port authority)
The King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam, eastern Saudi Arabia. (“Mawani” port authority)

Saudi Arabia’s non-oil exports soared to a two-year high in May, reaching SAR 28.89 billion (USD 7.70 billion), marking an 8.2% year-on-year increase compared to May 2023.

On a monthly basis, non-oil exports surged by 26.93% from April.

This growth contributed to Saudi Arabia’s trade surplus, which recorded a year-on-year increase of 12.8%, reaching SAR 34.5 billion (USD 9.1 billion) in May, following 18 months of decline.

The enhancement of the non-oil private sector remains a key focus for Saudi Arabia as it continues its efforts to diversify its economy and reduce reliance on oil revenues.

In 2023, non-oil activities in Saudi Arabia contributed 50% to the country’s real GDP, the highest level ever recorded, according to the Ministry of Economy and Planning’s analysis of data from the General Authority for Statistics.

Saudi Finance Minister Mohammed Al-Jadaan emphasized at the “Future Investment Initiative” in October that the Kingdom is now prioritizing the development of the non-oil sector over GDP figures, in line with its Vision 2030 economic diversification plan.

A report by Moody’s highlighted Saudi Arabia’s extensive efforts to transform its economic structure, reduce dependency on oil, and boost non-oil sectors such as industry, tourism, and real estate.

The Saudi General Authority for Statistics’ monthly report on international trade noted a 5.8% growth in merchandise exports in May compared to the same period last year, driven by a 4.9% increase in oil exports, which totaled SAR 75.9 billion in May 2024.

The change reflects movements in global oil prices, while production levels remained steady at under 9 million barrels per day since the OPEC+ alliance began a voluntary reduction in crude supply to maintain prices. Production is set to gradually increase starting in early October.

On a monthly basis, merchandise exports rose by 3.3% from April to May, supported by a 26.9% increase in non-oil exports. This rise was bolstered by a surge in re-exports, which reached SAR 10.2 billion, the highest level for this category since 2017.

The share of oil exports in total exports declined to 72.4% in May from 73% in the same month last year.

Moreover, the value of re-exported goods increased by 33.9% during the same period.