What are the priority economic sectors for the Embassy, and which areas form the pillars of economic development cooperation?
On the economic front, the Embassy of Switzerland in Morocco covers international cooperation ─ whose focus is mainly economic ─ as well as support for Swiss companies wishing to establish themselves in Morocco.
International cooperation between Morocco and Switzerland began in February 2004, following the Al Hoceima earthquake. Responding to Morocco’s appeal, Switzerland then initiated a programme of risk management, adaptation to climate change and natural resource management.
Cooperation then evolved from development aid focused on humanitarian work and institutional capacity-building towards an approach more oriented towards sustainable economic development. This change fostered the development of bilateral economic relations and the integration of the first economic projects supported by the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO).
From 2025, Morocco should be considered a new priority country in the new Swiss cooperation strategy adopted by the Federal Council. The proposal has been submitted for approval to the Swiss Parliament, which is expected to decide by the end of 2024.
In this context, several projects implemented by Switzerland will foster the improvement of the business environment and of the economy’s framework conditions; support for private sector development; competitiveness and resilience to economic and climate shocks.
The strengthening of the Swiss presence in Morocco should thus enable interesting synergies and foster economic opportunities between Switzerland and Morocco.
The Switzerland-Morocco Sustainable Tourism project (TDSM), which began in 2021, is an example of the good cooperation between the two countries. The first bilateral project, this strategic partnership has succeeded in transforming local tourism dynamics in the Béni Mellal-Khénifra region by promoting a model that combines economic development and heritage preservation. The impact is tangible. In particular, the project has enabled the training of local stakeholders, the creation of 16 tourist circuits, the development of walking trails in two municipalities, the renovation of 21 rural accommodation facilities and the development of new activities such as horse riding, mountain biking, rafting and climbing. The TDSM project thus enriches sustainable tourism in Morocco with diverse and authentic offerings, increasing the region’s appeal to domestic and international tourists, while creating economic opportunities for the local population. The project has also created many jobs in a key sector of the Moroccan economy and in a region suffering from high unemployment.
In a context of energy transition and sustainable development, what are the current Swiss initiatives in Morocco to strengthen cooperation in these strategic areas?
The energy transition is at the heart of Swiss cooperation in Morocco. Several projects attest to this, notably the Multi-Country Investment Climate Program, which is being developed in collaboration with the International Finance Corporation (IFC). The project aims to improve the environmental compliance of industrial zones in the Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima region, with the aim of strengthening trade with the European Union. This objective will be achieved by facilitating the transition of industrial zones to eco-industrial parks and by improving investment promotion efforts dedicated to the identified green sectors. The project also intends to support the Regional Investment Centre in developing new tools and creating a potential new market for investment in green infrastructure.
Switzerland is also funding the Hydropower Sustainability Assessment Protocol (HSAP) project, which supports the training of companies and state institutions involved in hydroelectric power generation. The aim is to develop sustainability standards in hydropower in French-speaking Maghreb. It funds assessments of projects against the sustainability standards in force in Morocco and Algeria. The training offered in autumn 2024 notably led to the award of audit certifications in sustainable hydropower.
How does Switzerland support its companies wishing to establish or develop their activities in Morocco, and what challenges do they most often face?
Swiss companies wishing to establish or develop their activities in Morocco face challenges specific to internationalisation, such as information asymmetry regarding sector specificities, local regulations and the choice of partners. To meet these challenges, several organisations in Switzerland facilitate the process, notably umbrella associations such as Economiesuisse, Switzerland Global Enterprise and the cantonal chambers of commerce, in close collaboration with our Embassy in Rabat, which has strengthened its commercial capabilities in recent years.
The Embassy of Switzerland in Rabat actively supports Swiss companies. It provides them with reliable information on the various sectors of the Moroccan economy. It guides them in their prospecting efforts and facilitates their access to strategic players. It makes information on local regulations available to them, helping companies understand the legal and administrative requirements for operating in the country. The Embassy also highlights the incentives offered by Morocco, such as tax benefits in certain industrial zones and specific investment subsidies for strategic sectors, enabling companies to make the most of investment opportunities.
In addition, the Embassy works closely with the Swiss Chamber of Commerce in Morocco to offer comprehensive support to companies, providing them with commercial, promotional, legal and regulatory assistance, thus facilitating their integration into the Moroccan ecosystem.