This study assesses the US-Morocco free trade agreement (FTA) and identifies shortcomings in the implementation of the US-Morocco FTA, provide policy recommendations for better leveraging the FTA, and suggest ways for Morocco to take better advantage of its cooperation agreements with the European Union. The study consists of four components. First, the study uses statistical and modeling work to compare the experience of the US-Morocco FTA with the experiences of US FTAs with Chile and Jordan. Second, the study provides a qualitative analysis of the US FTAs with Chile and Jordan to suggest best practices for Morocco to get the most out of its FTA with the United States. Third, the study looks at Morocco's trade agreements with the European Union in order to further guide the implementation of the US-Morocco FTA in light of the successes and failures of EU-Morocco trade relations. Fourth, the study identifies shortcomings in the implementation of the US-Morocco FTA and in EU agreements with Morocco, with a focus on agriculture, textiles, services, and intellectual property. Finally, the study provides recommendations on reforms the Moroccan government could implement in order to take greater advantage of the US FTA and EU agreements, both at the border and behind the border, and considers areas of the US FTA that could benefit from renegotiation, as well as the direction new provisions should take.

Increasing terrorist activity has led the Maghreb countries-Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Mauritania, and Libya-to focus on antiterrorism efforts, unintentionally at the expense of full-fledged economic reform. These countries have tightened their border restrictions on the flow of people and goods, reducing commerce and depressing economic activity. In fact, Maghreb has one of the lowest rates of intra-regional trade in the world; other factors like rigid economic structures, slow productivity growth, and modest investment levels continue to stymie progress toward economic integration. Do these countries' diverse circumstances symbolize insurmountable obstacles in achieving economic cooperation and an improved standard of living for citizens? How can the United States and European Union facilitate economic progress?Maghreb Regional and Global Integration: A Dream to Be Fulfilled utilizes two distinct econometric tools to assess four key sectors-energy, banking and insurance, transport, and agribusiness-and outlines achievable sector-specific recommendations. This book not only assesses the gains from economic integration among the Maghreb countries, but also focuses on the tangible benefits from enhanced economic ties between the region and the world economy. With this critical analysis, the authors provide an in-depth look at practical measures such as bilateral trade and investment agreements, regional arrangements, and financial assistance that can significantly boost short-term success and ensure long-term gains through integration in an unstable region.