New Legal Protection Strengthens Local Products in Markets
The Moroccan Office of Industrial and Commercial Property, in partnership with the Ministry of Handicrafts, Social Economy, and Solidarity, has launched a new initiative aimed at reducing registration fees for trademarks of local products, with direct support from the state. This strategic move seeks to make these services accessible to artisans and professionals, enabling them to secure effective legal protection for their brands and enhance their competitiveness both nationally and internationally.
During the fifth national forum for the social and solidarity economy, held in Ben Guerir under the theme “Social and Solidarity Economy and Local Development: Towards a New Dynamic of Public Policy Coordination,” Lahcen Saadi, Secretary of State for Handicrafts and Social Economy, emphasized that this measure is not merely an administrative simplification but a strategic choice to enhance local products and widen their access to legal protection, particularly benefiting cooperatives and small enterprises.
Professionals attending the forum raised the demand for easier access to the quality label, stressing that marketing and product protection represent a daily challenge for stakeholders in the traditional and natural products sector. This request received immediate attention from Minister Saadi, who underscored that enhancing local products cannot be achieved without ensuring a legal framework that preserves their authenticity and guarantees their sustainability.
The event also saw the announcement of incorporating the “Oujda Blouse” into vocational training programs, aimed at passing skills to new generations and ensuring the continuity of this cultural heritage amidst social changes. Additionally, it was confirmed that the “Oujda Shawl” will be included in initiatives to preserve and document traditional Moroccan attire as a part of the national cultural capital.
These steps clearly indicate the authorities’ desire to strengthen the connection between legal protection, vocational training, and heritage preservation, contributing to empowering traditional artisans to play a larger role in the national economy and highlighting the diversity and richness of Moroccan products on the international stage.
