The Universal Postal Union has signed an agreement with the Kingdom of Morocco to facilitate an Easy Export pilot project for the country. The project is aimed at creating a platform for local businesses to market and sell their products abroad using a consolidated platform for exports.
The Easy Export project aims at creating an accessible and affordable export-processing avenue for small traders and businesses. The platform is expected to create regional and international markets for micro, small and medium enterprises as well as employment opportunities for the country’s citizens, especially youth and women.
“The signing of this framework will facilitate the start of activities that should be concluded in one year. This pilot will be fundamental for the rollout of Easy Export to other countries and regions of the world,” said UPU Director General Bishar A. Hussein while signing the framework agreement with the Minister for Industry, Investment, Commerce and Digital Economy of Morocco, Hon. Moulay Hafid Elalamy.
The minister pledged government’s support for the successful establishment of the project. He thanked the UPU for choosing Morocco to trial the project.
At the same time the minister said the Moroccan government, through Poste Maroc, would sign up for the Ecom@Africa project, which is aimed at assisting designated postal operators in Africa to establish robust e-commerce platforms to tap into local, regional and international e-markets.
Morocco aims at establishing a hub to serve not only the North African region, but also the rest of the African continent.
Other countries that have so far expressed interest in the project include Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Djibouti, Kenya, South Africa and Tunisia. Uganda has also held discussions with UPU with a view to considering establishment of the platform in the country.