The North African country has taken a series of measures to crackdown on smuggling while offering alternatives to the locals, basically trough a free economic zone. Works are already in progress to build the zone, which shall offer retailers in the cities near the occupied enclave of Ceuta a better option instead of the vulnerability induced by smuggling. The free zone would also be conducive to creating jobs; attracting investments and helping retailers leave the grey economy, which leaves them and their workers without social security. The economy of Ceuta and Melilla have for decades relied on the backs of poor women for much of their commercial activities. The Moroccan economy loses up to 12.5 billion dirhams annually to smuggling originating from the Spanish occupied cities of Ceuta and Melilla while Spain gains 700 million euros in profits.

Source: The North Africa Journal August 10, 2020 09:45 UTC