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Morocco and Switzerland unveiled today a four-year cooperation program, targeting job creation and economic competitiveness through 2028.
The launch of the partnership marks Morocco’s elevation to a priority partner status with a budget of 25 million Swiss francs.
The launch ceremony featured the official rollout of the ambitious economic cooperation program, presented by the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO).
The Swiss ambassador Valentin Zellweger described the occasion as “a very important day” that opens fresh opportunities between the two countries.
“This is really a very important day. It’s the beginning of a new phase of our bilateral relationship with Morocco, which is a close relationship, a partnership, with friends, I would even say,” the ambassador told reporters.
“Today, we’re opening a new chapter, which is that of economic cooperation,” he added.
He told Morocco World News (MWN) in an interview that “Switzerland and Morocco have had ties for more than 100 years, diplomatic ties, and we are continuously strengthening them” through this partnership.
Morocco becomes a priority country
Since January 1, 2025, Morocco has officially held priority country status for Swiss economic cooperation — a designation that transforms the bilateral relationship.
The ambassador explained that while Switzerland and Morocco had economic ties in the past, this new status represents something deeper.
“This choice goes far beyond a simple administrative decision,” Zellweger said during the ceremony. “It expresses deep and mutual trust and a shared will to build a partnership for the future.”
The SECO program will run from 2025 to 2028 with a bilateral budget of 25 million Swiss francs, concentrated on two core pillars: boosting competitiveness and creating employment opportunities, with a reinforced focus on regions with strong economic potential.
“Now Morocco, for us, becomes what we call a priority country. So we will have a program that will span the coming years with competitiveness and job creation as its strong points,” the ambassador said.
“These are the two themes on which we have agreed with our Moroccan partners, and we hope to contribute to Morocco’s economic development.”
Morocco’s Minister of Industry and Trade Ryad Mezzour celebrated the program launch with pride, referring to the country’s strategic position and transformation capacity.
“It is really with pride that we celebrate today the launch of the new economic cooperation program between Switzerland and Morocco for the period 2025 to 2028,” Mezzour said during the ceremony.
He reflected on Morocco’s designation as a priority country, saying that the move reflects the North African country’s ambition and values and “a strong conviction, that of a Morocco that embodies an ambition that aligns with values of peace.”
The designation is “a strategic vision focused on innovation and reforms, political stability that strengthens the business climate, remarkable economic dynamism, and a capacity for transformation that inspires the entire region,” Mezzour added.
Speaking of the program’s significance, Mezzour affirmed that the program rests on two inseparable pillars — competitiveness and employment — because developing an innovative, high-performing, and sustainable private sector drives growth.
“Prosperity is not measured only in numbers, but in concrete opportunities for young people, women, and everyone,” he said, stressing that the goal is sustainable growth through an innovative, inclusive economy that stands solid against global challenges.
“Economic cooperation between Switzerland and Morocco reflects a common inspiration. Together, we can help transform challenges into opportunities. Together, we can build a sustainable economy that brings progress and prosperity for all.”
Why Morocco matters to Switzerland
The Swiss government views Morocco as a country that embodies stability, innovation, and economic dynamism — qualities that align with Swiss values and priorities.
“Why Morocco? This choice is not insignificant,” Zellweger said.
Instead, he elaborated, the choice “reflects a strong conviction: that of a Morocco that embodies an ambition that aligns with Switzerland’s values and priorities — a strategic vision focused on innovation and reforms, political stability that strengthens the business climate, remarkable economic dynamism, and a capacity for transformation that inspires the entire region.”
Morocco enjoys a geographic position at the crossroads between Africa and Europe that makes it a hub of ideas, innovation, and opportunities. Its openness to reforms and commitment to sustainable economic development also position it as an essential partner for Switzerland.
“Making Morocco a priority country means recognizing its role as a regional catalyst and its potential to transform challenges into levers of sustainable growth,” the ambassador added.
The country offers political stability, a geostrategic position, economic dynamism marked by industrial diversification, quality infrastructure, commercial partnerships, and an appeal for sustainable investments.
Addressing Morocco’s economic challenges
While Morocco shows economic promise, the country faces significant hurdles, including labor market tensions and territorial disparities. While the country’s digital transition remains underway, a large informal sector still exists, and considerable climate risks threaten economic planning.
In response, Morocco has set ambitious reforms through its New Development Model, which prioritizes inclusive development, job creation, and accelerated digital and energy transitions. The government also aims to simplify procedures and promote territorial development.
The Swiss program aligns directly with these Moroccan priorities. “Our vision is clear. We want to support Morocco in its economic transformation,” the minister said, adding that “the goal is sustainable growth, thanks to an innovative, inclusive economy that’s solid in the face of global challenges.”
Four strategic activity lines
The program has four main axes, first focusing on promoting a business environment favorable to innovation, strengthening the business climate, and supporting Regional Investment Centers.
Switzerland will support Morocco’s banking sector and Central Bank to reinforce resilience and help implement the country’s Investment Charter, with reinforcement of Regional Investment Centers in high-potential zones.
It will also focus on skills development, with training programs that will adapt to market needs with results-based financing focused on the textile and tourism sectors — two industries critical to the North African country’s economy.
Meanwhile, the initiative targets enhancing sustainable value chains through the integration of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) into international markets. It strives to support the establishment of eco-industrial parks and promote innovation, digitalization, and environmental compliance.
The program is designed to facilitate connections with the Swiss private sector that will facilitate these efforts.
On the fourth axis of the program, financial institutions will expand their offerings for SMEs, particularly in strategic value chains, as well as support SME digitalization in key sectors.
Geographic focus on three regions
Rather than spreading resources nationwide, the program targets three regions with strong economic potential, namely Fez-Meknes, Beni Mellal-Khenifra, and the Oriental. This focused approach aims to create an economic corridor while maintaining flexibility to act where impact proves most significant.
The program aims to reduce regional disparities and support sustainable economic transformation. It revolves around cross-cutting themes throughout its activities: climate protection and gender equality.
“Employment, because prosperity is not measured only in numbers, but in concrete opportunities for young people, women, and all regions of the country,” the ambassador explained.
A partnership built on mutual respect
Zellweger stressed that the program represents more than technical interventions — it consolidates a genuine alliance of trust.
“Beyond these interventions, we are consolidating a true alliance of trust: a partnership based on mutual respect, transparency, and co-production,” he said.
“We don’t want to impose a model. The goal is to enhance Morocco’s strengths, support its ambitions, and create lasting synergies.”
What the future holds
Switzerland views this partnership as a model of bilateral cooperation based on knowledge sharing, innovation, and sustainability. Morocco, with its stability, strategic position, and ambitious reforms, represents a key partner for Switzerland in Africa.
“Economic cooperation between Switzerland and Morocco reflects a common aspiration,” Zellweger said. “Together, we have the power to transform challenges into opportunities. Together we can build a sustainable economy that brings progress and prosperity for all.”
Source: Morocco word news
