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 

Events

Join events to learn about the cluster policy and meet peers from this country
Date Event Target Event Type
22 January 2014 Business Roadshow Morocco Cluster managers, SME Matchmaking, Workshop
12 February 2014 Euro-Mediterranean Brokerage Event on Research and Innovation Cluster Policy Makers, Large audience, SME Conference, Workshop
19 February 2014 Euromed Business Workshop on Intercultural Communication Large audience Workshop
17 July 2016 World Investment Forum 2016 Large audience Conference

Achievements

We are currently scouting for relevant information on this topic

ESCP-4i News

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ESCP-4is targetting this country

Acronym Name Technology Fields Sectoral Industries Targeted third countries No. of SME involved No. of Partners Sort descending
FoodNet Food In Eco Network Algeria, Canada, China, India, Iraq, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Morocco, Republic of Korea (South Korea), Turkmenistan, United States, Uzbekistan 362 5
AUMENTA Speeding up network internationalization of food, ICT Industry 4.0 clusters and their SMEs towards strategic third countries beyond Europe in field of emerging industries and Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG 4.0)
Other service activities:S94 Activities of membership organisations
Georgia, Morocco, Uruguay 739 5
DIA European Digital Industry Alliance Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, India, Japan, Mexico, Morocco, United States 865 6
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
MOVE Moving the Future Brazil, Morocco 567 9