Morocco’s health sector, like that of many other countries in the world, is undergoing a comprehensive political restructuring. In Morocco, this sector is of particular interest to the government with all its subordinate institutions and public bodies, as well as to the private sector. Moreover, a booming sector attracts investors and major foreign brands to settle in Morocco or to find local partners.

In this context, EMA led an economic mission to Casablanca and Rabat from 2 to 6 March in cooperation with the German – African Business Association, the German Business Center GBC and the University of Health Sciences ESSS. During this time, the delegation of German companies from the health sector, supported by the Federal Ministry of Economics and Energy (BMWi), explored the Moroccan market for medical devices within the new initiative “Business Network Africa”.

On the way to closer German-Moroccan cooperation

A conference at the ESSS with the participation of several key players in the Moroccan and German health sector precisely confirmed the importance of German-Moroccan cooperation in this sector. In his presentation of the Moroccan market, Ali Mehrez from the Moroccan investment agency AMDIE pointed out the various opportunities for German investors and the quality of life Morocco guarantees them.

These comments were also confirmed by Gero Peters, Managing Director of Siemens Healthineers Marocco. Siemens Healthineers has been established in Morocco for 60 years and continues to satisfactorily serve the local and African market. Mr. Peters also highlighted the challenges the company has faced over the years, the remarkable development of the sector and the efforts made by the government in recent years. The opportunities and challenges of the market for the pharmaceutical industry were presented by, among others, Dr. Layla Laassel Sentissi, pharmacist and Managing Director of the Moroccan Pharmaceutical Industry Association (AMIP), Michael Sauermost, Head of the new GTAI office in Morocco, and Markus Biechele from the Goethe-Institut.

A B2B meeting for members of the German delegation also took place in Casablanca with a selection of Moroccan entrepreneurs, all of whom are members of the Moroccan Federation of the Health Industry (FMIS), chaired by Karim Haj Riffi. It is only worth mentioning the importance of the cities of Casablanca and Rabat in this sector.

“Made in Germany” in Morocco: an urgent need

“Made in Germany” is associated in Morocco – like all over the world – with an image of quality and reliability. A statement that was confirmed and supported by the Moroccan Ministry of Health at a meeting held at the headquarters of the Directorate of Drugs and Pharmacy with the participation of various directorates and departments specializing in the medical industry in general. The increase in the number of requests for “Made in Germany” products confirms the investment and export opportunities that are available to German companies in the sector.

The Cheikh Zaid International University Hospital in Rabat is undoubtedly an example of “Made in Germany” in Morocco. The hospital is establishing itself as a health model in a difficult sector and is one of the main structures of the Cheikh Zaid Foundation, which was established in 1993 to help strengthen the private non-profit health sector in Morocco. Despite the high prices of German products, which most Moroccan traders and customers have pointed out, the demand for these products continues to grow and the Moroccan market continues to open its doors to German investors in the health sector.

Report: Asma Hadj Mabrouk