AMDIE, the Moroccan agency that supports and informs investors and promotes exports
Created in 2017 through the merger of three official bodies, AMDIE is responsible for developing the national strategy for promoting both domestic and foreign investment
With its privileged geographical location at the crossroads between Africa and Europe, and halfway between Asia and America, Morocco has everything it needs to become an attractive destination for international investors.
The Moroccan Agency for Investment and Export Development (AMDIE) is the national body responsible for implementing the national strategy for the development, encouragement and promotion of domestic and foreign investment, as well as exports of products and services.
As its Director General, Ali Seddiki, points out in the agency's institutional presentation, ‘AMDIE plays an important role in promoting Morocco's sectoral offerings and contributes to the creation of value and employment, while strengthening competitiveness throughout the country.’
AMDIE was founded in 2017 under Law 60/16, which established the merger of three existing public structures:
- The Moroccan Export Promotion Centre (Maroc Export), founded in December 1976.
- The Casablanca Office of Fairs and Exhibitions (OFEC), founded in December 1977.
- The Moroccan Investment Development Agency (Invest in Morocco), founded in March 2009.
This merger is part of Morocco's strategy to promote investment development and export promotion. The entity resulting from the merger, AMDIE, has the following missions:
- Support for investors. This work includes prospecting and promoting investment opportunities. The agency identifies companies likely to invest in Morocco, raises their awareness of the national value proposition and offers them a comprehensive and detailed overview of the opportunities the country offers in terms of investment and markets.
AMDIE also provides important data for investors, such as costs and production factors, sector data, current regulations and administrative procedures.
It also provides technical assistance and advice to investors, accompanying them throughout the process, from the development of the business plan to the start of operations, in a personalised manner.
The advice is complemented by rigorous monitoring of post-investment projects.
- Promotion of Made in Morocco. In order to increase awareness of Moroccan brands in international markets, AMDIE helps exporting companies choose the overseas development strategy that best suits their needs and ambitions. To this end, it supports national companies in their export activities by providing qualified and reliable information on the sector; on the procedures they need to follow; on coordination and networking with potential customers; on training in the operational aspects of exporting; and on the development of the Export Morocco Now export support programme.
- Management of trade fairs and exhibitions. AMDIE manages exhibition spaces from a promotional perspective, including the organisation of conferences and events aimed at stimulating investment and exports. The management of trade fairs and exhibitions is based on a three-pronged strategy: management and development of exhibition spaces; organisation, in conjunction with the authorities, local bodies and other organisations, of seminars, conferences and events aimed at promoting investment and exports; and assistance to exporters, associations and professional groups in participating in exhibitions organised in the country.
- Development of Economic Activity Zones (EAZs), which are strategically located areas with world-class infrastructure to attract domestic and international investors seeking growth opportunities.
To carry out these missions, the agency performs the following activities:
- Issuing proposals and carrying out the necessary analyses to implement the Government's strategy for investment and export development, as well as evaluating the results obtained in this area.
- Expressing its opinion on all matters related to investment development and export promotion.
- Providing secretarial services to the National Investment Commission (CNI).
As indicated above, the creation of the agency is provided for in Law 60/16. According to this law, the new agency's mission will be to implement the state's strategy for the development of domestic and foreign investment, as well as to promote exports of various products and services.
AMDIE will therefore be responsible for attracting new clients among foreign businesspeople, receiving investors and providing them with information and support during the management of their investment projects in Morocco.
In addition, the agency will propose strategies to the Government aimed at making Morocco more attractive to foreign direct investment. It will also advise exporters and investment companies and develop specific strategies for the industrial, commercial and technological sectors.
AMDIE will also be represented on the Investment Commission, chaired by the head of government, and will provide technical assistance for the conclusion of contracts and agreements between public authorities and investors.