Rabat – The Bundesverband mittelständische Wirtschaft (BVMW), German association representing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), has opened its Morocco office in Rabat.
The new office aims to make it easier for German SMEs to set up operations or grow in Morocco. It is a joint effort with the Moroccan Agency for Development of Investment and Exports (AMDIE) and the German development cooperation agency (GIZ).
The inauguration took place on Friday in the presence of Karim Zidane, Morocco’s minister delegate in charge of Investment, Convergence, and Evaluation of Public Policies, Christoph Ahlhaus, Director General of the BVMW in Berlin, and other officials and representatives from the Moroccan and German sides.
Key goals of the Rabat office include creating strong and lasting industrial and economic partnerships, encouraging cooperation in education, professional training, innovation, and job creation, and sharing expertise and technology between the two countries.
Christoph Ahlhaus stated that SMEs are vital for economies. He noted that Europe is home to around 2.1 million such businesses and over 20 million employees through 34 member associations.
Morocco is ‘a strategic and reliable partner’
He pointed out that Morocco is attracting more attention from European business, thanks to free trade agreements, like the one with the EU, and preferential trade deals with many countries.
Big automotive players like Renault and Stellantis, and their suppliers, are already operating there. He also said Morocco became the top exporter of cars and car parts to Europe in 2024, surpassing China and Japan.
The opening also involved signing several protocols of agreement with AMDIE and GIZ.
Germany is one of Morocco’s major development partners. Cooperation between the two countries covers renewable energy, climate policy, employment, vocational training, and sustainable economic development.
Germany has supported Morocco in green hydrogen projects, seeing the kingdom as having ideal geographical and climatic conditions for renewable energy.
Germany’s development bank KfW signed several financial agreements with Morocco, including loans and grants to support climate transition, public transport, water management, and infrastructure improvements.
Regarding migration, German officials see Morocco as a “strategic and reliable partner.” There have been several meetings and agreements to manage migration more cooperatively, including legal labor mobility and training.
Germany supports Morocco’s autonomy plan presented in 2007 as a “serious and credible” effort and a “good basis” for resolving the Western Sahara conflict.
