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Report: Small Enterprises in Morocco Lose 30 Billion Dirhams Annually Due to Exclusion from Public Contracts
A report issued by the Moroccan Confederation of Very Small, Small, and Medium Enterprises warns of significant losses incurred by small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Morocco, amounting to no less than 30 billion dirhams annually, due to their exclusion from the share guaranteed by law in public contracts.
The report clarifies that public procurement in Morocco represents an annual investment of approximately 350 billion dirhams, from which small enterprises are expected to benefit by 20 percent, or about 70 billion dirhams. However, the reality reveals that this sector receives only about 10 percent, leading to an annual financial gap estimated at 30 billion dirhams.
The source attributes this situation to several obstacles, notably the complex administrative and financial requirements that exceed the capabilities of small enterprises. Additionally, the processing deadlines for contracts do not align with their limited capacities, along with a lack of familiarity with public procurement procedures and absence of necessary support.
The study noted that the current public procurement system does not adequately respond to the specificities of very small enterprises, as tenders require bank guarantees, multi-year budgets, and pre-financing capacities—conditions that these enterprises find difficult to meet.
The study uncovered other structural constraints that hinder the development of this economic sector, including challenges in access to real estate, with more than 60 percent of very small enterprises suffering from a lack of suitable spaces, either due to high costs or distance from customers.
The report also pointed out the lack of administrative qualification, as over 70 percent of managers of these enterprises lack fundamental training in management and entrepreneurship, despite contributing to the vocational training ecosystem.
Furthermore, the study highlighted the limited adoption of modern technology, with the proportion of enterprises using artificial intelligence not exceeding 5 percent, deepening the competitive gap with more advanced companies.
In terms of international openness, the percentage of exporting enterprises does not exceed 10 percent, due to high logistical costs and the absence of targeted support mechanisms, posing a significant barrier to these enterprises’ access to international markets.
