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The project with Morocco is part of the Swiss PartnershIP – Intellectual Property Cooperation Programme funded by the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) and implemented by the Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property (IPI). This programme aims to strengthen the intellectual property systems in partner countries in order to promote innovation and creativity and thereby contribute to improved competitiveness and sustainable economic development. The project’s objective is to contribute to enabling entrepreneurs, creators, researchers and producers in Morocco to benefit from effective IP use.

 
 

Project background and context

Morocco, a lower middle-income economy, has advanced political and economic reforms but faces slowed growth from drought and inflation. The government is advancing private-investment regulations and tax reforms, and a strong IP framework is essential for competitiveness and to maintain Morocco’s position as a Europe-Africa investment hub. 

 

Moroccan Industrial and Commercial Property Office’s (OMPIC) 2022-2026 strategy seeks to build a favourable industrial property ecosystem for entrepreneurship, innovation and creativity. Morocco has laws on industrial property, trademarks, copyright and a sui generis GI system and is party to several WIPO treaties and joins ad-hoc cooperation projects. Yet, the system remains underused, needing stronger inter-agency coordination, updated laws, reinforced enforcement against piracy and counterfeiting, and greater public awareness. Free trade agreements, including with EFTA, further support international trade in “Made in Morocco” goods and services.

 

Planned with Morocco’s key IP system stakeholders, the project reflects their expressed priorities and aims to build public and private sectors’ capacity to  use IP rights for economic growth. It also supports the government’s economic development agenda set out in its Nouveau Modèle de Développement (NMD), Morocco’s vision to 2035.

 

1 Why Morocco? | 2 Objectives | 3 What we do | 4 Why IP | 5 Who benefits? | 6 Project Facts

 
 

Goals and objectives

Selected goals and objectives of high relevance to Morocco to be achieved by the project include:

  • Developing IP legislation and strategies that contribute to better framework conditions for investment and innovation;
  • Improving capacities of IPR registration and administration entities for providing efficient and user-friendly services;
  • Strengthened capacity of IPR entities, academia and private sector representatives in the promotion, acquisition, use and transfer of IPRs to potential users;
  • Strengthened national capacities in relation to the enforcement of IPRs.

 

1 Why Morocco? | 2 Objectives | 3 What we do | 4 Why IP | 5 Who benefits? | 6 Project Facts

 
 

Activities

Activities will be implemented to strengthen the legal framework of IP protection such as contributing to the update of IP legislation. Other activities will focus on improving the quality of patents, trademarks, and GIs while improving their enforcement. Interventions will be carried in capacity building for alternative dispute resolution and the creation of a national visibility campaign on the use of GIs. The project will support knowledge and technology transfer and improve awareness about IP commercialization. The project will aim at enhancing IP enforcement by the relevant authorities through best practices and exchange with international peers

 

1 Why Morocco? | 2 Objectives | 3 What we do | 4 Why IP | 5 Who benefits? | 6 Project Facts

 
 

Alignment with Morocco's general development priorities

The project aligns with the NMD (2021-2035), which envisions the country as a hub for innovation, research and higher education, while promoting low carbon energy and competitive “Made in Morocco” products. It complements OMPIC’s 2022-2026 strategy by fostering an innovation-friendly ecosystem, modernising IP services and advancing digital transformation. Through legislative review, capacity building, and stronger inter-agency cooperation, the project enhances intangible capital, supports research and innovation and boosts Morocco up global value chains.

 

 1 Why Morocco? | 2 Objectives | 3 What we do | 4 Why IP | 5 Who benefits? | 6 Project Facts

 
 

Beneficiaries

Direct beneficiaries: The Moroccan government will be a direct beneficiary, specifically OMPIC under the Ministère de l’Industrie et du Commerce.

 

Other direct beneficiaries include selected stakeholders of the national IP system such as the Bureau Marocain du Droit d’Auteur (BMDA) under the Ministère de la Jeunesse, de la Culture et de la Communication, Administration des Douanes et Impôts Indirects, Ministère de l’Agriculture, de la Pêche Maritime, du Développement Rural et des Eaux et Forêts, Direction de la Préservation du Patrimoine de l’Innovation et de la Promotion - Ministère du Tourisme du Transport Aérien de l’Artisanat et de l’Economie Sociale, Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA), Chambers of Commerce, Technology and Innovation Support Centres (TISCs), Universities, research centres, IP consultants; and selected Geographical Indications (GI) producers associations.

 

1 Why Morocco? | 2 Objectives | 3 What we do | 4 Why IP | 5 Who benefits? | 6 Project Facts

 
 

Quick project facts

Project duration

Jan. 2024 – Dec. 2027

 

Total budget

CHF 1,500,000

 

Donor agency

Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO)

 

Implementing institution

Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property

 

Main partner

  • Office Marocain de la Propriété Industrielle et Commerciale (OMPIC)

 

Morocco country context

Population: 32.56 million

Area: 710,850 km2

Annual GDP growth: 1,1 % (2022)

GDP per capita: USD 3,527.9 (2022)

 

1 Why Morocco? | 2 Objectives | 3 What we do | 4 Why IP | 5 Who benefits? | 6 Project Facts

 

For more information, contact

Nathalie Hirsig – Project Coordinator
Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property – IPI
nathalie.hirsignot shown@ipito make life hard for spam bots.ch | +41 31 377 72 03

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