According to CGEM estimates, the amount of unpaid invoices is close to 420 billion DH. Payment delays are increasing, as they have risen from 70 to 96 days in four years, and mainly concern the construction and public works and new information and communication technologies (NTIC) sectors. Yet this indicator is decisive because it gives the temperature of the business climate; it is analysed by investors, rating agencies and credit insurers. During a round table organised at the end of 2019, it was pointed out that “the law has proved ineffective. Even supposing it were applied to the letter, bad payers risk nothing since late-payment penalties are tax-deductible”. Avenues for reflection have been opened on this subject. The CGEM is expected to introduce a “Good Payer” label that would guarantee the solvency of labelled companies. It was also proposed to prohibit the deduction of unpaid invoices and not to distribute dividends when net profit conceals excessively large unpaid amounts.
