Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05RABAT243
2005-02-01 16:40:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Rabat
Cable title:  

FTA: FEZ YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS -- MORE CARPING THAN

Tags:  ETRD KPAO MO 
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UNCLAS RABAT 000243 

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

STATE FOR NEA/MAG, NEA/PI AND EB/TPP
PASS USTR FOR BELL

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETRD KPAO MO
SUBJECT: FTA: FEZ YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS -- MORE CARPING THAN
CARPE DIEM


(U) This message is sensitive but unclassified. Please
protect accordingly.

UNCLAS RABAT 000243

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

STATE FOR NEA/MAG, NEA/PI AND EB/TPP
PASS USTR FOR BELL

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETRD KPAO MO
SUBJECT: FTA: FEZ YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS -- MORE CARPING THAN
CARPE DIEM


(U) This message is sensitive but unclassified. Please
protect accordingly.


1. (SBU) Largely reconstituting the participants in post's
September 2004 FTA Caravan Roadshow, the Fez Young
Entrepreneur Association hosted a conference on the
U.S.-Morocco Free Trade Agreement (FTA) on January 29 and 30.
Despite unusually cold temperatures, the sessions were
well-attended and the audience seemed engaged and curious.
However, emboffs noted that during both formal question and
answer sessions and informal conversations during coffee
breaks and meals, participants pressed for financial
assistance to raise their competitiveness and complained
about their (perceived) inability to access the huge U.S.
market. These young entrepreneurs recognized that Morocco
must reorient itself away from the French business model to
the more "American way" of things.


2. (SBU) On January 29 and 30, EconCouns joined Casablanca
FCS Specialist, Government of Morocco (GOM) officials, local
journalists and academics, and American Chamber of Commerce
(AmCham) representatives to participate an FTA conference
organized by the Fez Young Entrepreneurs Association. Despite
thorough and specific presentations by Moroccan services and
agricultural negotiators, an extensive "how-to" lesson on the
U.S. market provided by AmCham and remarks by both emboffs
and MEPI-funded IESC Morocco Fast Track Trade Program, the
audience asked ill-informed and often badly-articulated
questions related to pharmaceutical patents, agriculture (an
important sector in the Fez region),and services. Many in
the audience posed questions related to immigration and
temporary entry -- issues not addressed in the FTA.
EconCouns and Ministry of Trade officials explained the
opportunities presented in the Services Chapter, but these
young businessmen were seeking a different kind of entry into
the United States.


3. (SBU) The conference showed that despite the GOM's and
Emboffs' extensive FTA outreach efforts over the last year,
the Moroccan private sector, especially outside the
Casablanca/Rabat axis, continues to harbor misconceptions
about the FTA. Rather than enthusiastically seizing the
opportunities the agreement provides, these young, small
Moroccan "entrepreneurs" complain about their lack of
competitiveness, bemoan the paucity of GOM state support and
actively seek USG and Moroccan support (financial, technical
assistance, expert advice). One young entrepreneur asked
EconCouns' opinion of his idea to organize a "SMEs in
Difficulty" association. Few participants approached
panelists to seek advice on either entering the U.S. market
or identifying American joint venture partners. None sought
additional clarification on the specific provisions.

RILEY