فاس نيوز ميديا جريدة الكترونية جهوية تعنى بشؤون و أخبار جهة فاس مكناس – متجددة على مدار الساعة
Casablanca: Younes Sekkouri, Minister of Economic Inclusion, Small Business, Employment, and Skills, announced on Thursday in Casablanca the imminent launch of a new program dedicated to supporting Very Small Enterprises (VSEs).
This announcement was made during the first edition of the “Very Small and Medium-sized Enterprise Forum” (TPME), organized on the initiative of the General Confederation of Moroccan Enterprises (CGEM) under the theme “Inspiring for Transformation.”
Mr. Sekkouri explained that this new initiative aims to support and assist VSEs in various aspects, such as rents, accounting, and the acquisition of professional equipment, with a target of 110,000 beneficiaries.
Funding Challenges and Administrative Simplification
In a related context, the Minister emphasized the need to strengthen leadership, mediation, and information flow mechanisms in favor of VSEs and SMEs, noting that some of these enterprises still face sometimes inadequate responses from banking institutions due to a lack of understanding of their specific characteristics.
Sekkouri stressed the importance of establishing a more efficient and responsive guarantee system, capable of quickly detecting difficulties encountered and providing concrete solutions.
The Minister acknowledged that despite the existence of guarantee mechanisms put in place by the state, many young entrepreneurs continue to face obstacles in accessing financing. To address this issue, he stated that a joint commission with the Ministry of Economy and Finance has been established to engage in in-depth consultation with banks with the aim of identifying concrete solutions to this problem.
Reform of Licensing System and New Labor Code
Regarding administrative simplification, Minister Sekkouri highlighted the urgent need to reform the commercial and administrative authorization system, considering it a hindrance to the development of VSEs and SMEs. He advocated for a transition to a model based on specifications, which he described as “more flexible and better adapted to economic reality,” noting that this strategic project has already begun in close coordination with several working teams, with the objective of unleashing entrepreneurial potential, particularly among youth.
Concurrently, Sekkouri revealed that a thorough overhaul of the programs of the National Agency for the Promotion of Employment and Skills (ANAPEC) is underway, especially benefiting unemployed youth without qualifications.
Regarding the new Labor Code, Mr. Sekkouri affirmed that it will be finalized by the end of the current year, following a pragmatic approach in consultation with various social partners. He emphasized that “this new code will, for the first time, regulate remote work and part-time work, opening up new professional opportunities.”
Forum Recommendations and the Role of CGEM
The forum featured a series of inspiring testimonials from business leaders, followed by a panel of entrepreneurs from various sectors (industry, innovation, and technology) who exchanged insights on ground realities: launch stages, daily obstacles, financing needs, team management, and digital transition.
This edition was also marked by the holding of two masterclasses. The first addressed the financing issues faced by VSEs and SMEs and the available market solutions, while the second provided VSEs with tools to address artificial intelligence challenges and seize opportunities.
Through this first edition of the “Very Small and Medium-sized Enterprise Forum,” the CGEM reaffirmed its commitment to making small enterprises a central driver of wealth and job creation, by fostering listening, dialogue, skills development, and inspiration. It is worth noting that VSEs and SMEs represent 95% of CGEM members across the national territory. In addition to the advocacy carried out by the Confederation, it offers concrete and useful services for this category of businesses, notably established corridors with key public institutions and initiatives to support and enhance the skills of business leaders.
