UPS is strengthening its presence in the Kingdom of Morocco by investing 16 million Moroccan Dirhams ($1.6 million) in UPS Maroc.

After South Africa, Morocco becomes the second African country to host a wholly-owned UPS entity. With its diverse free-trade agreements and a strategic position in the UPS global network, Morocco features duty free access to fifty-five countries representing more than one billion consumers and 60 percent of the world’s GDP.

“By strengthening its position in Morocco, UPS will positively contribute to the national economy in terms of job creation, improving local business access to the company’s international network, and reinforcing Morocco’s place in the UPS worldwide network,” said Belarbi Redouane, secretary-general of Morocco’s Ministry of Infrastructure, Transport and Logistics. “Morocco is a strategic gateway for Africa and UPS represents a door to the world for Moroccan exporters. We can only be happy to welcome such a successful company.”

The new wholly-owned subsidiary consolidates UPS’s position, after seventeen years of existence in Morocco, by providing the company’s clients with deep expertise, tailor-made solutions and an international network.

“Our significant and continuous investments in Africa and the Middle East demonstrate our dedication to help our customers grow in the region and to connect a unified global network,” said Jean-François Condamine, President, UPS Indian Subcontinent, Middle East, and Africa District. “UPS carries the equivalent of two percent of the world’s GDP across 220 countries and territories and successfully delivers more than 18 million packages and documents a day. We want Morocco to benefit from our expertise in order to increase its contribution to the global economy.”

With its proximity and the ability to employ local staff, UPS shares the vision of a modern Morocco and is involved in developing the economy of the country.  UPS Morocco has begun hiring local Moroccan employees and intends to be a company with a high majority of Moroccan employees.

In addition to offices in the economic capital, Casablanca, UPS Maroc plans to open multiple UPS Express centers, especially in Tangier, Rabat, and Marrakech. The expansion of its customs clearance capacities is also scheduled. This set of measures will help to create new local jobs.