Why Buy Property in Morocco

•   Huge project (Vision 2010/Plan Azur) to increase tourism backed by King Mohammed and the   UAE. The aims are to improve infrastructure and increase tourism by 10m visitors per year.

•   The Moroccan government has implemented a number of changes to the taxation regime to make investing in Moroccan property attractive to overseas buyers. These include exemption from certain taxes for a number of years and a significant reduction in others. There is a double taxation treaty in place between the UK and Morocco, so where tax is payable you´ll only pay it once.

•   December 2005 saw the signing of an `open skies´ agreement, signed by the Moroccan government. This has already opened the way for companies such as Ryanair and Easyjet to fly into Marrakech, Casablanca, Tangiers and Fes. With a number of other airports being created, or extended, it is clear to see the direction the country is moving in. At other destinations around the world this has led to flight prices going down and property prices going up.

•   Huge infrastructure projects are being carried out throughout the country. You can now drive the length of the country on the new toll road, and other links are currently being created. The French company `ONCF´ currently have a number of projects underway, one being the high speed link between Tangiers and Marrakech. The Americans are in the process of completing the new commercial port 30 minutes outside Tangiers. This will relocate all commercial activity way from Tangiers port, freeing the port up and allowing it to become more of a tourist marina.

•   An undersea tunnel planned to link Europe and Africa is currently being investigated. A Swiss firm has been appointed to oversee a full technical study. Depending on the results of this survey it is estimated that a rail service (similar to the Channel Tunnel) will run through the tunnel and could be in operation by as early as 2020.

•   The government has backed a number of huge developments “Dubai-style”, at select locations around the country. These are being backed by the world´s largest developers and should firmly put Morocco on the worlds “destination map”. The government has closely monitored the backing and licensing of projects to conform to strict environmental controls. These include factors like building height and density restrictions, which will aim to avoid making the mistake areas such as the Costa del Sol have made.

•   The VIP´s arrived long ago – Sting, Mick Jagger, Princess Alexandra, David Bowie, Vanessa Branson, Alain Delon. Many occupy luxurious palaces around Morocco. The tradition of Western interest goes back to Winston Churchill´s famous patronage of Marrakech´s beautiful Mamounia hotel.

•   The French, Portuguese and Spanish have long been visiting Moroccan shores. This along with a global appeal can only give Morocco the grounding for a universal tourism market. With its white sand, huge beaches, year round warm climate, close proximity to Europe, Moorish architecture and a culture to rival any around the world, this really is the emerging market that ticks every box.