The Second U.S. Business Rountable

Wednesday, May 27th, 2009

Held on May 27th, this roundtable was organized jointly by the U.S. Commercial Service (FCS) in Morocco and the American Chamber of Commerce in Morocco (AmCham). The event was launched as a follow-up event, at the request of U.S. business representatives who attended the first U.S. business roundtable on March 27th, featuring Minister Ahmed Reda Chami and the U.S. Chargé d'Affaires, Robert P. Jackson. At the March roundtable, Minister Chami spoke about the multiple reforms that the government has made to improve the business environment. He noted, however that more reforms are needed and could be implemented in an effort to improve the business environment. To this end, Minister Chami asked business representatives and organizations to detail what is currently working well, what still needs improvement, and how further reforms can best attract more U.S. firms and investment.

The May 27th roundtable was moderated by Bill Conner of Harley-Davidson Casablanca. M Conner shared some of the difficulties he has experienced in starting a branch office in Morocco, mainly in dealing with some government agencies.

Other U.S. companies' business challenges included Regional Investment Center's cross training of employees in order to better serve as one-stop shops; financing; convertibility of the Moroccan dirham; and obtaining a credit card that is valid beyond Morocco. Collecting accounts receivable was another central topic, in addition to unfair competition, the labor code, and judicial reform.

Numerous participants raised the issue of continued IPR infringements. Almost all participants agreed that this type of roundtable was very instrumental to resolving common problems by sharing business concerns and ideas, and the group expressed interest in meeting at least quarterly. The meetings could be hosted by different firms at their premises, with coordination provided by the AmCham.