Morocco should prepare for a Deal with Britain before Brexit

Morocco should prepare to strike a trade deal with Britain in a case of a no deal Brexit to avert losses estimated by the UN at $97 million.

Morocco, Ghana and Tunisia are among African nations that would lose the most if the UK doesn’t negotiate a deal by the time it has to exit the European Union, according to a study by a United Nations agency.

Total export losses from 20 African countries could be as much as $420 million, according to the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).

The study shows 11 nations on the continent would boost their exports by a total of $3.66 billion, led by South Africa, Mauritius and Botswana.

“A no-deal Brexit could damage smaller economies trading with the UK,” the agency said in a statement. The UK’s intention to lower most-favored-nation tariffs could increase the competitiveness of some of its trading partners, UNCTAD said.

Many developing nations’ exports enjoy favorable market access to the UK thanks to bilateral trade agreements and because of EU unilateral preferential schemes.

“Countries wanting to retain this market access need to negotiate — and quickly — with the UK,” UNCTAD said.