In a recent opinion piece, Moroccan economist Adnan Debbarh argues that Morocco's development strategy should draw lessons from Turkey and Malaysia rather than from China or India. He contends that these Asian giants, despite their impressive growth, offer models that are less relevant to Morocco's specific socio-economic context.
Debbarh points to Turkey's industrial diversification and Malaysia's successful management of ethnic diversity and economic modernization as more applicable examples. He emphasizes that both countries have managed to move beyond simple assembly-line economies to create higher-value-added industries.
The article, published on August 11, 2026, comes amid ongoing debates in Morocco about economic policy and the country's development trajectory. Debbarh's perspective adds to a growing chorus of voices calling for tailored approaches rather than importing foreign models wholesale.
While the piece is opinion-based, it reflects real policy discussions in Morocco about how to boost economic growth and create jobs. The country has recently launched several industrial and technological initiatives, but critics argue that more needs to be done to address structural challenges.
