Morocco-Italy: An Agreement to Strengthen Economic Exchanges
Moroccan Companies and Tuscan SMEs Explore New Opportunities for Trade Cooperation
On October 9, 2026, in Prato, the Italian employers’ organization CNA Toscana Centro and the Moroccan Commerce and Industry Agency in Italy (OCIMI) signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at facilitating trade exchanges between the two markets. This partnership is expected to open new avenues for cooperation in commercial and industrial sectors.
The agreement primarily seeks to promote the search for industrial partners, facilitate business connections, and potentially establish joint ventures. It encompasses Moroccan companies as well as businesses from the Italian provinces of Prato and Pistoia.
At this stage, neither organization has disclosed any investment amounts, commercial contracts, or a specific timeline for the launch of initial economic missions.
Economic Missions to Bridge Business Gaps
The protocol outlines plans for organizing economic missions to Morocco, hosting meetings between businesses, and arranging discussions with local institutional representatives. These initiatives aim to help participating companies identify new clients, suppliers, and industrial partners.
The collaboration will also extend to participation in trade fairs and supporting Italian SMEs interested in exploring opportunities for investment in Morocco. Within this framework, OCIMI will be responsible for connecting CNA Toscana Centro members with carefully selected Moroccan counterparts based on their specific needs. This support will include finding suppliers, identifying commercial opportunities, and assisting in the establishment of joint ventures.
CNA Toscana Centro President Emiliano Melani described this agreement as an opportunity for member companies to rely on qualified contacts to better understand the Moroccan market.
Partnership Supported by Legal Assistance
Signed by Emiliano Melani and Marouan El Mansoub, President of OCIMI, the memorandum also includes legal support to safeguard the interests of companies interested in exploring cooperative opportunities between the two nations.
Lawyer Simone Calzolai, who was present during the signing, will contribute through his firm based in Prato, which also has offices in Milan, London, and New York. His role will involve analyzing the Moroccan regulatory framework, conducting due diligence on commercial partners, drafting international contracts, and providing information on the provisions of the Investment Charter in Morocco.
For Italian SMEs, this support aims to alleviate challenges related to market knowledge, procedural navigation, and finding reliable partners. These barriers can complicate the development of international business relationships, particularly for smaller companies with limited resources.
Trade Exchanges Expected to Reach €4.75 Billion by 2025
The collaboration between these two organizations is part of an already significant economic relationship. According to data from the Economic Observatory of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted in the agreement, trade in goods between Italy and Morocco reached €4.75 billion in 2025, equivalent to approximately 51.37 billion dirhams.
During the same period, Italian exports to Morocco rose by 8.1%, approaching the €3 billion mark. These trade flows provide a foundation for the development of new cooperations, as Italian companies seek more direct access to Moroccan supply, production, and distribution chains. Meanwhile, industrial partnerships could pave the way for growth opportunities for businesses in both countries.
Cooperation Preparations Underway Since June
The signing of the memorandum follows a preliminary meeting held in June by CNA Toscana Centro, themed "Doing Business in Morocco," which focused on the conditions for conducting business and investment opportunities in the Kingdom. This gathering attracted entrepreneurs and professionals interested in the Moroccan market and the potential for industrial cooperation.
The new agreement now provides a structured framework for these exchanges, tasking the two organizations with preparing for business and institutional meetings. It also includes provisions for joint participation in international events to facilitate connections between Italian companies and Moroccan economic players.
While the initial commercial outcomes are yet to be realized, this initiative reflects the commitment of CNA Toscana Centro and OCIMI to further structure the relationships between Tuscan SMEs and their potential partners in Morocco.
