The cluster community in Morocco is growing. Morocco first engaged in cluster development policy through the “Pacte National pour l’Emergence Industrielle” in the late 2000’s. Today, Morocco’s cluster programme consists of the “Stratégie Maroc Innovation” programme, which aims to improve R&D and promote innovation.

Cluster-to-cluster cooperation between the EU and Morocco is in its beginning stages, although several and strategic sectors for cooperation have been established, as well as cluster organisations in the EU and Morocco looking for cooperation.

Economic and political context and framework

Morocco is one of the most developed economies in Africa. With a total GDP of just above USD 109 billion in 2017, and with a GNI per capita of roughly USD 3.000 p. a. (current rate), Morocco is a middle-income economy. It is the sixth richest African country and ranks 11th in terms of GDP per capita, in Africa. Though Morocco is progressively shifting towards an industrial and service-based economy, agriculture is still important, with a booming export sector driven by fishes and seafood, tomatoes and citrus. The industry accounts for 30% of the Moroccan economy with strength in the automotive and aeronautic industries, textile, energy and ICT. Morocco’s service economy is well-developed with banking and finance, as well as tourism boosting the sector.

Cluster community in the country

Originally, Morocco engaged in cluster development policy through the Pacte National pour l’Emergence Industrielle. In 2009, the objective of this pacte was to develop 15 national cluster initiatives. Today, Morocco’s cluster programme consists of the “Stratégie Maroc Innovation” programme aims to improve R&D and promote innovation targeting triple-helix agents.

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The cluster programme combines a top-down and bottom-up approach: state support and at the same time initiating cluster competition. Further cluster organisations are promoted by other stakeholders such as the solar cluster or the Industrial Cluster for Environmental Services (CISE). Additionally, Morocco actively pursues an industrial policy plan (“Plan D’acceleration industrielle”) until 2020 which includes the development of cluster organisations and cluster policy.Read less.

Cluster policies encouraging the development and internationalisation of clusters

Through the Plan D’acceleration industrielle, the internationalization of clusters has been a particular area of focus for the Moroccan government.

Cluster to cluster cooperation opportunities and potential interest from European clusters and SMEs

The Next Society, which aims to reinforce EU-South Mediterranean countries economic and innovation cooperation, is a programme funded by the European Commission. It works notably on developing cluster collaboration between Europe and Mediterranean countries, including Morocco.

Key Facts

Capital: Rabat
Population: 33 848 242 (2015)
Total area: 446 550 km2
GDP per capital :3 291 USD (2015)
Gross domestic product: (2015)
Currency: Dirham 

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Achievements

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The COP conference stands for the “Conference of the Parties”. The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) entered into force in 1994, aimed at reducing greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere.

During the COP, member States, who have common but differentiated responsibilities, strive to reach agreements on reducing greenhouse gas emissions caused by human activity, assess the evolution of their commitments and review the implementation of the Framework Convention and other legal instruments that the COP adopts. Typically a series of negotiating sessions are...

ESCP-4is targetting this country

Acronym Name Technology Fields Sectoral Industries Targeted third countries No. of SME involved No. of Partners
AEWEN Africa Europe Water and Energy Network
C\: Chemistry; metallurgy:Treatment of water, waste water, sewage, or sludge
E\: Fixed constructions:Water supply; sewerage
H\: Electricity:Generation, conversion, or distribution of electric power
Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply:D35 Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply
Water supply; sewerage, waste management and remediation activities:E36 Water collection, treatment and supply
Water supply; sewerage, waste management and remediation activities:E38 Waste collection, treatment and disposal activities; materials recovery
Tunisia, Morocco, Senegal 420 4
SpaceWave Clusters waving the flag to the internationalisation of European SMEs taking advantage of the cross-sectoral dimension of Earth observation for Blue Growth market Australia, Canada, Mexico, Morocco, South Africa, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, Viet Nam 50 4
EnW Energy in Water
E\: Fixed constructions:Water supply; sewerage
Water supply; sewerage, waste management and remediation activities:E36 Water collection, treatment and supply
China, Colombia, Mexico, Morocco, Peru, Singapore, Tunisia, United States 650 7
ECF Euromed Clusters Forward
Agriculture, forestry and fishing:A03 Fishing and aquaculture
Manufacturing:C10 Manufacture of food products
Manufacturing:C13 Manufacture of textiles
Transportation and storage:H49 Land transport and transport via pipelines
Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, Morocco, Tunisia
DIA European Digital Industry Alliance Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, India, Japan, Mexico, Morocco, United States 865 6