Last year, France, Spain, Italy, the UK and Germany increased their average clothing imports from Morocco, Tunisia and Turkey by 5.9 per cent. Out of these five countries, Turkey remains the biggest Euro-Mediterranean supplier, with a 5.5 per cent increase in orders last year. This is especially true for Germany, with €3.1 billion worth of imported clothing and the UK with €1.9 billion. France comes in third with €1.1 billion.

Morocco got the highest increase in orders in the region. Spain is its biggest importer, with €1.2 billion, while France remained stable at €826 million. Tunisia also saw a 3.5 per cent increase in its exports to these five European countries. France is its biggest customer with €828 million, followed by Italy with €592 million.

Last year European clothing imports accounted for €73.06 billion, including €54.9 billion from Asia and €14.02 billion from the Mediterranean countries.

Morocco’s industrial strategy has made textiles a priority. One factor that has always been to Morocco’s advantage is its proximity to Europe, and the other is the relatively lower wage costs and the natural skill and dexterity of its workers.