White Paper: SMEs in Morocco

« In addition to these structural weaknesses of the economic fabric, there is the predominance of the informal sector.

If there are no figures on the portion of black economy in Morocco, but it is still a fact that nobody can deny: a large number of businesses, particularly small ones (the majority of the economic fabric) are only partially applying government regulation and particularly fiscal.

This part of the informal activity is not inconsequential on economic activity: it inhibits the development of these companies that, because of their illegal nature, cannot grow beyond a certain size, it creates an unfair competition for businesses that comply with the rule.

Experiences throughout the world have also shown that the relative importance of SMEs and the informal economy has always been inversely proportional to economic development. Strengthening the fabric of the Moroccan SMEs leading network of business and employment, cannot be done outside of an effort to reduce the weight of the informal economy.

The implementation of the appropriate tax system accompanied by incentive measures designed to remove structural constraints faced by small and medium enterprises will contribute to the emergence of a strong and competitive SMEs network. Aware of the importance of SMEs in the economic fabric of Morocco, the Moroccan authorities have implemented in 1983 various programs and initiatives to ensure legal, fiscal, social and administrative support for this business category, in order to help its upgrade.

Despite the substantial effort of government, these support programs have had little impact on the development of SMEs.

Since the mid-80s until today, the contribution of small and medium enterprise in the development of the manufacturing sector has not evolved much.

In 20 years, the share of SMEs in industrial production has fluctuated between 35 and 39%, exports stagnated at the same level 12 and their contribution to national value added has never exceeded the 10%. 2. »