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Newspaper Articles
On the Issue of Smuggling
Albayane Daily, No.1499, November 4, 1995
Smuggling is an illegal activity because its aim is to evade paying taxes
to the country, which reduces revenues and abysmally affects the strategy
of development. Hence, smuggling is a destructive weapon for the economies
of the countries that have combated it relying on means and procedures
that differ from one country to another.
Morocco is among the countries that have witnessed this activity that
has dangerously grown and become so serious that it has turned into a
phantom that threatens the national economy and destroys it. Many factors
have contributed to the growth of this activity the most important of
which are:
-The spread of acts of administrative corruption such as
the spread of bribery, nepotism and the abuse of power.
-The aggravation and spread of the crisis of unemployment
whereby it has affected holders of high degrees.
-The spread of drought and aspects of misery and poverty.
-The closure of the doors of western countries of Europe
to Moroccans and others. They can only be admitted entry by means of a
visa.
It goes without saying that smuggling is an age-old practice but it was
revived in Morocco during the eighteenth century as a result of the policy
Almakhzen enacted which was called “isolationism and introversion”
or “caution”. Morocco abided by this policy during the rule
of Moulay Suleiman (1792-1822). One of the results of this policy is that
the scope of smuggling was enlarged in the region of the Rif, Dukkala
and Suss.
Today, its range has broadened and become under the supervision of a network
of smugglers. Besides, it is varied in style, method and materials. The
latter consist of different and various foodstuff and numerous electronic
apparatuses such as T.V sets, videos, satellite dishes, microwaves, washing-machines,
etc. This is in addition to household utensils. These smuggled goods have
so drowned Moroccan markets that there have appeared markets specialised
in selling these products as in Tetuan, Nadoure and Oujda.
It can be said that despite the inconveniences of this activity it plays
an important part in enhancing the social and living conditions of many
families. The demand for smuggled goods is due to two factors:
-The high quality of products excepting foodstuff (such
as sardine cans).
- Low prices.
The urgent question that we have to ask is why has the Moroccan administration
remained reticent for years up till now? Is it because of the recommendations
of the IMF and the GATT treaty out of which is derived the international
organisation of free trade?
We all hope that that such a step is not taken only because of external
recommendations and pressures. We hope that combating contraband has come
out of a political will looking forward to founding a solid national economy
through eradicating this chronic disease that has eaten up our national
economy. The best ways to achieve this are as follows:
-A radical reform of the administration and the eradication
of all aspects of corruption.
-The creation of job opportunities to absorb the huge number
of unemployed people.
-The establishment of a national immunity that caters for
the needs of Moroccans.
-The enhancement of the living condition of the inhabitants
via increasing the wages and reducing customs taxes on the products imported
so as to develop home commerce and reduce prices of products to improve
the purchasing power.
-Tightening surveillance to annihilate contraband and dealing
earnestly with grand smugglers.
These procedures can put an end to smuggling and its inconveniences and
simultaneously rationalise the Moroccan economy and develop it in accordance
with the needs of the country and the expectations of the Moroccan people.
Translated by Abdelmjid Kettioui
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