Imports to Morocco rose to DR 72 billion ($6.4 billion) in the first seven months of 2001 from DR 71.4 billion for the same period last year, while exports fell 2.7% to DR 45.2 billion meaning the country’s trade deficit rose to 7.6%. Clothing and leather exports, which account for more than a third of Morocco's exports by value, increased 3.5% to DR 17.8 billion, but the government said that the overall fall was mainly due to poor performances in seafood, fruits, vegetables and rubber and tyre exports.

The Moroccan exporters association, ASMEX, said that the government should ease taxes and energy costs for exporters and even consider another currency devaluation. The government has responded with an action plan, but it is not to be implemented until summer 2002. A spokesman from ASMEX pointed out that this was too little, too late, and suggested that the move was a cheap political ploy designed with the 2002 elections, rather than economic considerations, in mind.