Morocco Aims to Boost Private Sector and Curb Rent-Seeking Practices

Morocco's economic strategy is focused on supporting and protecting private enterprise while ending practices linked to rent-seeking and privilege. According to Minister of Economy and Finance Fouzi Lekjaa, the government aims to create economic momentum by ensuring fair competition and giving the private sector a leading role in investment. The government seeks to create the conditions for private businesses to account for two-thirds of total investment, while public investment would represent the remaining third.

To ensure fair competition, Lekjaa outlined several measures, including ending privileges and rent-seeking practices by abolishing licensing systems and opening certain economic activities to all operators under clearly defined specifications. Other priorities include fighting corruption, monopolies, market concentration, and conflicts of interest. The minister also announced plans to regulate distribution activities and put an end to parasitic intermediaries.

The government plans to strengthen support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Lekjaa also highlighted plans to strengthen the “Made in Morocco” label by replacing some imported products with locally manufactured alternatives. This approach aims to diversify Morocco’s industrial base, improve its trade balance, and support domestic production.

In the agriculture sector, Lekjaa said the government is reviewing its agricultural policy to address several priorities, particularly climate change, water scarcity, and food sovereignty, while maintaining a balance with the country’s export policy. The government would continue implementing major infrastructure projects while promoting more efficient and sustainable resource management.

Lekjaa pointed to opportunities in new industrial and service sectors, particularly through a national digital strategy and efforts to replace imports with locally produced goods and services. He also highlighted integrated territorial development projects as another source of economic value creation.

The minister stated that the government’s economic vision would be translated into concrete action through legal and regulatory measures, some already in place and others currently being prepared. He emphasized the close link between economic and social policies, arguing that maintaining balance between the two is essential to social stability and sustained development.

Lekjaa added that the government would soon submit a bill to Parliament addressing conflicts of interest. The government aims to maintain a balance between free enterprise and regulatory intervention to guarantee transparency and protect the rights of all stakeholders.

Key points

• The government aims to create the conditions for private businesses to account for two-thirds of total investment.
• The minister outlined several measures to ensure fair competition, including abolishing licensing systems and regulating distribution activities.
• The government plans to strengthen support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and promote more efficient and sustainable resource management.