While officials in Melilla are trying to find a solution after the Moroccan Customs Administration closed commercial borders with the enclave, a Spanish party has urged the Iberian government to lift the ban on food products imported from Morocco to Ceuta. The local section of the new Spanish centre-right political party, Contigo Somos Democracia (CSD), in Ceuta has launched an initiative, urging the authorities to lift the ban on food products, imported from Morocco to the enclave. Abdelmalik Mohamed, the president of CSD in Ceuta, has suggested to review measures prohibiting the import of food goodies from the Kingdom, says local online newspaper Faro de Ceuta. Currently only fresh fish can successfully be exported to the Spanish enclave, the same source pointed out. «Archaic prohibitions» The politician believes that lifting the ban will help the city's local economy flourish, thanks to new taxes. According to him the decision «would give some transparency to an activity that is repeatedly conducted in a forbidden way», Abdelmalik Mohamed argued, referring to smuggling. Whenever the inhabitants of Ceuta cross the borders, heading to Morocco, they bring with them all kinds of food, he said, adding that meanwhile, «they cannot buy them legally in their own city. It's insane». He pointed out that he invites the Spanish authorities to put an end to these «archaic» prohibitions and «regularize a situation that directly affects consumers» in the city. Moreover, in the neighborhoods of Ceuta where a strong community of Moroccan nationals live, the bread that illegally enters Fnideq is very popular. It was even behind the closing of several bakeries, warned the local Bakeries Association in September 2017. According to new numbers, sales reach only 40% while the Moroccan bread and the one from Spain amount 60%.
