Morocco adds taxes to notebooks imported from Tunisia

Morocco has defended its decision to impose additional taxes on school books imported from Tunisia, saying the measure was in line with World Trade Organisation laws.

Moroccan government spokesman, Mustapha El-Khalfi, made the remarks during a press conference held in Rabat yesterday in response to a question about the Moroccan government’s position on Tunisia’s complaint to the WTO over the imposition of additional customs on Tunisian school books.

“What we have done is in accordance with the World Trade Organisation’s rules,” he said, explaining that the Moroccan decision aims to stop Tunisia flooding the market and violating the rules of competition.

The Moroccan official added that the government was defending Moroccan companies which provide jobs and national wealth.

Read: World Bank expects Tunisia’s economy to grow 2.5% in 2018

On Wednesday, Tunisia invited Morocco for consultations under the WTO after customs duties were imposed on its notebooks.

Tunisia believes Morocco’s decision is contrary to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT).