The Moroccan Parliament has showcased its legislative efforts to combat protectionism and tax evasion, while advancing trade facilitation, during the 152nd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, held from April 15 to 19 in Istanbul.
Speaking during the proceedings of the IPU Standing Committee on Sustainable Development, Hassan Chamis underlined that Morocco has adopted a series of measures aimed at reducing customs barriers on essential goods, in close coordination between the legislative and executive branches.
According to the same source, these measures are anchored in the provisions of the 2025 Finance Law, which seeks to ease trade flows and improve access to basic commodities, particularly in a context marked by global economic pressures.
Chamis further stressed that the Moroccan Parliament has stepped up mechanisms to prevent corporate tax evasion, noting that recent finance laws have focused on strengthening anti-evasion frameworks and integrating the informal sector into the formal economy.
These reforms, he explained, include the acceleration of digitalization processes, improved traceability of financial operations, and adjustments to income tax and value-added tax systems. He added that raising tax exemption thresholds has been a key measure to support the purchasing power of the middle class.
In parallel, Morocco has expanded its international fiscal cooperation by approving several bilateral agreements aimed at avoiding double taxation and preventing tax evasion. These include recent agreements signed with Chad, Burundi, Ghana, and Benin.
Chamis noted that such agreements align with Morocco’s broader commitment to implementing the provisions of the African Continental Free Trade Area, which seeks to enhance economic integration across the African continent.
On the issue of global trade dynamics, the Moroccan Parliament has repeatedly voiced concern over the rise of protectionist measures worldwide. Chamis warned that such policies risk exacerbating trade imbalances and widening deficits, with potential repercussions on national economies.
Morocco is participating in the 152nd IPU Assembly with a parliamentary delegation led by Mohamed Ould Errachid, Speaker of the House of Councillors.
The same source indicated that Morocco’s participation reflects its ongoing engagement in multilateral parliamentary diplomacy, particularly on issues related to sustainable development, economic governance, and fair trade.
The assembly in Istanbul brings together lawmakers from across the globe to address pressing international challenges, with debates focusing on economic resilience, inclusive growth, and strengthening international cooperation in an increasingly fragmented global landscape.
