Apparel Morocco

The Apparel Morocco project focuses on the Moroccan textile and apparel sector, the country's second-largest export sector. Morocco has a valuable market proposition, being so close to Europe and flexible in producing large and small quantities with short delivery times. Yet, with more and more EU sustainability regulations, Morocco needs to produce in a more environmentally friendly way to maintain its competitiveness in this market and gain access to new markets.  

In 2024, the Centre for the Promotion of Imports from developing countries (CBI) will start the Apparel Morocco project. The project aims to support the Moroccan apparel sector's sustainability transition, focusing on carbon reduction and circularity. CBI will support sector stakeholders to:

• Develop and carry out action plans to reduce their carbon footprint;
• Enhance circular production models; and 
• Source from local and transparent value chains.

By addressing barriers to sustainable production, CBI aims to help Morocco position itself in new EU markets with more sustainable, added-value products.
 

Project goals

In this project, CBI supports the Moroccan apparel sector with the aim to:

• Support the Moroccan apparel sector's sustainability transition, focusing on decarbonisation and  circularity;
• Collaborate with the sector to develop action plans to:
  - Measure and reduce their carbon footprint
  - Enhance circular production models; and 
  - Source from local and transparent value chains.
• Help sector stakeholders to support the sector in the sustainable production  transition;
•  Improve the local service provision and/or legislation that supports sustainable production;
• Help Morocco position itself in new EU markets with sustainable and added-value products; and
• Support the Moroccan apparel sector in building a strong (international) network of partners on carbon reduction.  
   

Project participants and partners

During this project, CBI can engage and update the following stakeholders and partners:

• Moroccan apparel-producing companies, especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs);
• Moroccan service providers, both public and private; 
• Associations in the apparel sector;
• Public institutes relevant to the apparel sector; 
• Non-profit organisations and business support organisations relevant to the apparel sector; 
• Educational institutes, such as universities and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET); 
• Women's and youth associations; 
• Donor organisations; and
• European buyers who require sustainability.
   

Activities

The project starts in 2024 with a 12-month start-up phase. In this phase, we test the project plan and adapt it if needed. Based on the first year's learning, we decide how to continue with the project for the remaining 4 years.

During the start-up phase, you can carry out the following activities:

• Assist companies (SMEs) and sector stakeholders in developing a path for decarbonisation, including circular production; 
• Establish cooperation between the Moroccan apparel industry and importers in the European Union (EU), focusing on carbon and/or circular production; 
• Facilitate strategic exchange between multi-stakeholders on low-carbon and circular production; 
• Carry out research on carbon reduction, circular production and alternative materials;
• Identify corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices and assist in putting these action plans into practice;
• Help frontrunner companies enter sustainability requiring EU markets.

CBI also wants to target SMEs interested in gender equality and/or youth inclusion to promote sustainable and inclusive growth in the Moroccan apparel sector.
 

Get involved as a partner

Are you a partner interested in contributing to Morocco's transition to a sustainable and inclusive apparel sector? Contact CBI  for more information on the project or to explore potential collaborations.