Morocco in Fashion 2026: The Ambitions of a Sector Aiming to Create More Added Value

The 23rd Edition of Morocco in Mode (MIM) Reflects on the Textile Industry’s Future

The 23rd edition of Morocco in Mode (MIM), held from November 3 to 5, 2026, at the OFEC – International Fair of Casablanca, provided an opportunity to discuss the prospects and challenges facing the textile and apparel industry in Morocco. Through interviews collected by MCG24 with industry leaders and government officials, several key issues emerged, including job creation, export development, enhancement of local production, and the evolution of the industrial model towards greater integration.

At the opening of this edition, Anas El Ansari, president of the Moroccan Association of Textile and Apparel Industries (AMITH), expressed his satisfaction with this international event organized under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI. He also noted that this year marks the association’s 66th anniversary, celebrating six decades of commitment to the Moroccan textile and apparel industry and support for domestic enterprises.

El Ansari highlighted the economic and social significance of this sector, which currently employs 240,000 officially registered individuals with the National Social Security Fund (CNSS). The industry also generates a revenue exceeding 66 billion dirhams, with 44 billion dirhams coming from exports.

Furthermore, Anas El Ansari aligned the industry’s ambitions with the directives announced by King Mohammed VI during his opening speech at the parliamentary session on October 9. Among these directives is the development of a new generation of strategies aimed at promoting and supporting productive and exporting businesses. He affirmed AMITH’s commitment to contributing to this dynamic by collaborating with relevant government departments.

The industry’s goal is also to strengthen the role of textiles in national industry and to develop the skills necessary for its evolution. In this regard, El Ansari emphasized the importance of vocational training and specialized institutions in textile trades, which are crucial for meeting the needs of businesses and improving workforce qualifications.

The AMITH president also pointed out Morocco’s advantages in the international market, particularly its geographical location, stability, infrastructure, and human resources. According to him, these factors enhance the attractiveness of the Kingdom to foreign partners, including those in competing countries.

On his part, Omar Hjira, the minister delegate to the Minister of Industry, Trade, Investment, and Economic Inclusion, in charge of Foreign Trade, reminded attendees of the textile and apparel sector’s significant contribution to Moroccan exports. He stated that the sector alone accounts for 10% of national exports and is supported by a well-developed network of partnerships with several countries and trading partners.

However, the minister stressed the need to evolve the production model of the sector. He indicated that 77% of the industrial activity relies on garment manufacturing and finishing operations. The challenge now is to further develop manufacturing and transformation capabilities to enable Moroccan companies to create greater value before exporting their products.

In this context, Omar Hjira reiterated that Morocco holds an important position in the European market, where it is seen as the leading supplier in the relevant sector. He suggested that this position must be consolidated through a more integrated industrial model that can move beyond subcontracting activities and enhance local productive capabilities.

The minister also called for the sector to benefit from the new industrial strategies announced in accordance with royal directives. The aim is to support its advancement, expand manufacturing activities, and strengthen its contribution to employment. He highlighted that textiles are among the major employment sectors in the Kingdom, with nearly 250,000 jobs and substantial development potential.

Furthermore, Omar Hjira mentioned the prospect of establishing a significant industrial unit starting next year that would require substantial investments. According to communicated indications, this future unit is expected to allocate 80% of its production for export. In his view, this type of project illustrates the growth prospects for the sector and the potential for enhancing its industrial positioning.

Finally, he assured that the government intends to support the sector in evolving its model, gradually shifting from an industry primarily based on subcontracting to one that relies more on integrating various production stages and creating added value in Morocco.

Abed Chagar, president of the Morocco Industry Group and representing Mehdi Tazi, president of the General Confederation of Enterprises of Morocco (CGEM), applauded the sector’s dynamism and the progress of the salon throughout its editions. He specifically highlighted the efforts of the organizing team and the evolution of this event, which has consistently elevated its profile.

In his interview with MCG24, Abed Chagar emphasized the need to further support this sector, which he views as a major industrial domain for the Kingdom. He noted that textiles and apparel are the country’s leading industrial sector in terms of employment, with considerable potential for new job creation. He reiterated that employment remains a priority for the national economy and that the development of this industry can help address this challenge.

Jointly organized by AMITH and CEMS-Global, this 23rd edition of Morocco in Mode unites Moroccan professionals in the sector with international players in the fashion supply chain. The salon serves as a meeting space for domestic manufacturers and international buyers, brands, and innovators seeking solutions that combine proximity, responsiveness, and sustainability.