For a lot of products working with a local sales agent or with a dedicated sales representative can be a good solution.
Especially if you have a customized product or service, or you want to work with a number of resellers in the country, an agent can be the one connecting these parties to your organization abroad.
Agents can be individuals, but I often recommend to work with established companies who already have a good network and where you are not dependent on just one person.
Morocco is one of the further developed African countries, with an estimated population of around 37 million people, reflecting a blend of Arab, Berber, and African influences.
The Moroccan economy, with an absolute GDP per capita of approximately $3,400 USD as of 2023, is diverse and growing. The main economic drivers include agriculture, tourism, and manufacturing. Agriculture, particularly the cultivation of cereals, olives, and citrus fruits, plays a significant role in the rural economy. Tourism is also crucial, with Morocco’s historic cities, Mediterranean and Atlantic beaches, and mountain ranges attracting millions of visitors annually. Moreover, the manufacturing sector, especially textiles, automotive, and aerospace, is expanding rapidly, driven by foreign investment and government initiatives.
Morocco’s economy is also characterized by its import activities. The most imported products include crude petroleum, textile fabrics, telecommunications equipment, wheat, gas and electricity, and motor vehicles. These imports are essential for supporting its industrial activities and meeting consumer demands.
Key cities in Morocco include Casablanca, the economic and business hub of the country; Rabat, the political capital; Marrakech, known for its historic medina and vibrant tourism industry; Fes, famous for its ancient walled city; and Tangier, a strategic port city on the Strait of Gibraltar. Each city contributes uniquely to Morocco’s cultural and economic landscape, making it a diverse and dynamic country.
Alfred Griffioen, founder of Exporteers
In the past 15 years me and my colleagues have approached hundreds of agents, distributors, importers and retailers worldwide for brand owners aiming to sell their products abroad. In 2012 a call was enough to get a meeting. Today, you first have to send your pitch — and then hope that someone will answer.
The distributors needed to reach your clients already work with your competitors. They have invested in marketing, stock and sales, and they are making money. Asking them to switch to you means asking them to start all over again.
My experience is that if you only send a website or product catalogue, answers are rare. Numbers make the difference. Show expected volumes, margins, sales effort and investment. Show that there is a business case for them, not just for you.
If you don’t want to work with agents, you can always set up a local office yourself or try to sell your product from abroad. This all depends on the product or service and the ease to reach the right buyers. Be careful with the contracts that you close with agents. In many countries their status is well protected and you can’t take their recurring income easily away from them.
I always put a lot of emphasis on drafting a good distributor pitch. Even if you already have great sales materials for your end-users, this often does not make clear what the benefits are for a potential agent, distributor or retailer to work with you.
When you approach potential sales channels with your standard documentation, chances are high that they are holding of. If you make it crystal clear what are the benefits for them, like in the example presentation, you will get a much higher response rate.
Please note that it helps to put concrete data in your presentation. You may think it is sensitive, but just know the secret is in how you achieve the rotation or the low returns level, not in the data itself. So share it here, in order to get the right attention.
Almost every country or trade block in the world has its own detailing on the international HS-code list. With our report you strongly reduce the risk on misclassifications, delays and higher custom duties than expected.
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