2015

Germany Shows Best Practices to Moroccan Businesses

An agreement to provide expertise to SMEs in Morocco has been signed

March 30th, 2015
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On the 26th of March 2015, the Director General of the Moroccan national agency for the promotion of small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs), Larbi Benrazzouk and  H.E. Amb. Rupert Joy, Ambassador of European Union in Morocco have signed a joint agreement to facilitate assistance from German institutions and federal departments. The aim of the agreement is to support the growth of SMEs in the country. Morocco’s State News Agency disclosed that the agreement is worth 250,000 euros and is part of the broader initiative called “Making a success of the Advanced Status”, following the EU’s grant of Advanced Status to Morocco in October, 2008.

 

The purpose of the agreement is to convey Germany’s best practices to Morocco’s SMEs. A team of 13 experts with experience in SME research and innovation will be overseeing the implementation of the plan. The recent contract is not the only cooperative framework between Germany and Morocco. In regards to German-Moroccan cooperation, the Federal Republic of Morocco committed a total sum of 671 million euros in 2012 and 2013, of which approximately 80% was used for financial cooperation and 20% for technical cooperation. Both governments have agreed that the areas of priority for cooperation will be; the environment and climate change, the management of water resources and lastly, sustainable economic development.

Development cooperation is a central pillar for Germany’s relations with Morocco. Germany is one of the largest bilateral donors to the country. As a partner, Morocco is the second largest recipient of German funds in the Middle East and North Africa, just after Egypt. The German Government has pledged to support Morocco with a sum of 360.6 million euros for 2014 and 2015, mostly in the form of loans. The importance of economic relations between two states is highlighted by the fact that Germany held the 7th place in the Moroccan trade balance for 2013. According to German Foreign Ministry, new business opportunities are emerging in the automotive supply industry, infrastructure, renewable energy, environmental management (water, waste, recycling) and agriculture. In 2012, The Joint Economic Commission (BGC) was appointed to give trade exchanges a further boost between the two countries. Morocco is one of the major importers of German breeding cattle.

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