Database

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MOROCCO

Since March 2023, entry into force in September 2023

Pillar Public procurement of ICT goods and online services  |  Indicator Other limitations on foreign participation in public procurement
Decree No. 2-22-431 of 15 Chaabane 1444 (Décret No. 2-22-431 du 15 chaabane 1444 relatif aux marchés publics)
According to Art. 145 of Decree No. 2-22-431 (which repeals Decrees No. 2-12-349 of 2013 and No. 2-19-69 of 24 May 2019 on government procurement), for contracts involving the design, development, and implementation of information systems, the special specifications require competitors not established in Morocco to involve Moroccan experts. This involvement must represent at least 20% of the experts mobilised for the contract's services, except in cases where such Moroccan experts are unavailable.
Coverage Information systems

MOROCCO

N/A

Pillar Public procurement of ICT goods and online services  |  Indicator Signatory of the WTO Agreement on Government Procurement (GPA) with coverage of the most relevant services sectors (CPC 752, 754, 84)
Lack of participation in the WTO Agreement on Government Procurement (GPA)
Morocco is not a party to the World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement on Government Procurement (GPA), nor does it have observer status.
Coverage Horizontal

MOROCCO

Since December 2022

Pillar Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in sectors relevant to digital trade  |  Indicator Maximum foreign equity share
Framework Law No. 03-22 on Investment Charter (Loi‑cadre N. 03‑22 formant charte de l’investissement)
There are generally no foreign investment limitations in the Moroccan Investment Charter on foreign investment in areas relevant to the digital economy. Foreign investment limitations apply to sectors not relevant to digital trade. It is also reported that the Moroccan state has a discretionary right to limit all foreign majority stakes in the capital of large national banks but apparently that right has never been exercised.
According to the Framework Law No. 03-22 on the Investment Charter of 2022, which repealed the Investment Charter No. 18-95 of 1995, there are no foreign investment limitations in the areas relevant to the digital economy in Morocco. It is also reported that the Moroccan state has a discretionary right to limit all foreign majority stakes in the capital of large national banks but apparently that right has never been exercised.
Coverage Horizontal

MOROCCO

Since August 2016, entry into force in August 2017

Pillar Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in sectors relevant to digital trade  |  Indicator Nationality/residency requirement for directors or managers
Law No. 88-13 relating to the press and publishing promulgated by Decree No. 1-16-122 of 10 August 2016 (Dahir No. 1-16-122 du 6 Kaada 1437 (10 Août 2016) Portant Promulgation de la Loi No. 88-13 Relative à la Presse et à l'Édition)
Pursuant to Art. 15 of Law No. 88-13, every periodical publication, electronic journal or other electronic press medium must appoint a director of publication. Under Art. 16.1, the director of publication is required to be of Moroccan nationality and domiciled in Morocco. In addition, Art. 2 expressly recognises electronic newspapers as part of the press and publishing sector.
Coverage Online newspapers

MOROCCO

Since February 2000, last amended in December 2013

Pillar Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs)  |  Indicator Practical or legal restrictions related to the application process for patents
Industrial Property Law No. 17-97 of February 2000, last amended by Law No. 31-05 of 14 February 2006 (Dahir No. 1-00-91 du 9 Kaada 1420 (15 février 2000) Portant Promulgation de la Loi No. 17-97 Relative à la Protection de la Propriété Industrielle)
Art. 4 of Law No. 17-97 on the Protection of Industrial Property requires natural or legal persons who do not have a domicile or registered office in Morocco, and who do not operate an industrial or commercial establishment there, to elect an address for service with a representative domiciled or established in Morocco. This representative is responsible for carrying out, on their behalf, all acts before the industrial property office. Conversely, resident Moroccan nationals and foreigners habitually residing in Morocco, whether natural or legal persons, are free either to file applications for industrial property titles themselves or to act through a representative, at their discretion.
Coverage Horizontal

MOROCCO

Since October 1999

Pillar Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs)  |  Indicator Participation in the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT)
Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT)
Morocco is a party to the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT).
Coverage Horizontal

MOROCCO

Since February 2000, last amended in May 2022

Pillar Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs)  |  Indicator Copyright law with clear exceptions
Law No. 2-00 on Copyright and Related Rights, 15 February 2000 (Loi No. 2-00 relative aux droits d'auteur et droits voisins (promulguée par Dahir No. 1-00-20 du 9 Kaada 1420 (15 février 2000), telle que modifié par la loi No. 34-05))
Morocco has a copyright regime under the Copyright Act of 2014. However, the exceptions do not follow the fair use or fair dealing model, therefore limiting the lawful use of copyrighted work by others. Art. 54 lists the exceptions, which include reproduction for scientific research purposes, reproduction as part of teaching activities, and reporting current events, among others.
Coverage Horizontal

MOROCCO

Reported in 2021, last reported in 2024

Pillar Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs)  |  Indicator Enforcement of copyright online
Inadequate enforcement of copyright online
It is reported that inadequate intellectual property protection and enforcement in Morocco continues to be an area of concern. Illicit streaming devices (ISDs), also referred to as piracy devices, continue to pose a direct threat to content creators, sports leagues and live performances. Moreover, illicit Internet Protocol television (IPTV) services unlawfully retransmit telecommunications signals and channels carrying copyrighted content via dedicated web portals and third-party applications. Stakeholders continue to report significant levels of piracy through ISDs and illicit IPTV applications in the country.
Coverage Streaming and Internet
Protocol television (IPTV) services

MOROCCO

Since July 2011

Pillar Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs)  |  Indicator Adoption of the WIPO Copyright Treaty
WIPO Copyright Treaty
Morocco has ratified the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Copyright Treaty.
Coverage Horizontal
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[{"post_id":"93219"},{"post_id":"93220"},{"post_id":"93221"}]
"SELECT meta_value FROM prj_12_postmeta WHERE meta_key = 'impact' AND\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tpost_id IN (SELECT post_id FROM prj_12_postmeta WHERE meta_key = 'country' AND meta_value = 'MA')\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAND (\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tpost_id IN (SELECT post_id FROM prj_12_postmeta WHERE meta_key = 'subchapter' AND meta_value = '1.1') OR\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tpost_id IN (SELECT post_id FROM prj_12_postmeta WHERE meta_key = 'subchapter' AND meta_value = '1.2')\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t)"
"SELECT meta_value FROM prj_12_postmeta WHERE meta_key = 'score' AND\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tpost_id IN (SELECT post_id FROM prj_12_postmeta WHERE meta_key = 'country' AND meta_value = 'MA')\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAND (\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tpost_id IN (SELECT post_id FROM prj_12_postmeta WHERE meta_key = 'subchapter' AND meta_value = '1.3')\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t)"
ITA: [{"meta_value":"0.50"}]

MOROCCO

ITA signatory? I II

Pillar Tariffs and trade defence measures applied on ICT goods  |  Indicator Effective tariff rate on ICT goods (applied weighted average)
Effective tariff rate to ICT goods (applied weighted average)
2.60%
Coverage rate of zero-tariffs on ICT goods (%)
59.14%
Coverage: ICT goods

MOROCCO

N/A

Pillar Tariffs and trade defence measures applied on ICT goods  |  Indicator Participation in the WTO Information Technology Agreement (ITA) and 2015 expansion (ITA II)
Lack of participation in the ITA Expansion Agreement (ITA II)
Morocco is a signatory of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Information Technology Agreement (ITA) of 1996, but is not a signatory of its 2015 expansion (ITA II).
Coverage ICT goods

KUWAIT

N/A

Pillar Online sales and transactions  |  Indicator UNCITRAL Model Law on Electronic Signatures
Lack of adoption of UNCITRAL Model Law on Electronic Signatures
Kuwait has not adopted national legislation based on or influenced by the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) Model Law on Electronic Signatures.
Coverage Horizontal

KUWAIT

Since September 2021

Pillar Technical standards applied to ICT goods and online services  |  Indicator Self-certification for product safety
Regulation for Approval of Communication Devices Type
اللائحة اعتماد نوع أجهزة الاتصالات
Under the Regulation on the Approval of Communication Device Types, Kuwait’s conformity assessment framework aligns with the European documentation model. Pursuant to Art. 4, telecommunications equipment may be imported and placed on the Kuwaiti market provided that it satisfies the prescribed technical requirements: it must not generate electromagnetic disturbances exceeding the specified threshold, nor emit electromagnetic energy at levels that cause electromagnetic interference (EMI) in adjacent devices. In addition, Art. 6 stipulates that compliance with European Union legislation, accompanied by the requisite conformity documentation and the CE marking, may suffice for the type approval process in Kuwait. Also, Art. 8 requires applicants to submit a Declaration of Conformity (DoC), confirming that the equipment meets the relevant technical standards. Nevertheless, the Authority retains the discretionary power to request samples of telecommunications equipment for testing and examination at any stage.
Coverage Telecommunications equipment

KUWAIT

Reported in 2025

Pillar Online sales and transactions  |  Indicator Licensing scheme for e-commerce providers
Reported requirement for e-commerce licensing
It is reported that all enterprises, irrespective of their scale, from large corporations to home-based start-ups, must possess either a valid online store licence or a registered commercial licence before engaging in online sales. In addition, partners, including payment gateway providers, are legally prohibited from providing services to businesses that do not hold such licences.
Coverage E-commerce sector

KUWAIT

Since March 2023

Pillar Online sales and transactions  |  Indicator Restrictions on online payments
Resolution No. 45/471 of 2023 Promulgating the Instructions Regulating the Electronic Payment of Funds
According to Resolution No. 45/471 of 2023, which promulgates the Instructions Regulating the Electronic Payment of Funds, E-Payment Service Providers (EPSPs) must register and obtain approval from the Commercial Bank of Kuwait (CBK) before commencing operations. The registry includes various minimum capital requirements based on the EPSP classification, which range from KWD 50,000 (approx. USD 162,000) to KWD 250,000 (approx. USD 810,000). These requirements were already mandated under the Resolution No. 44/430 of 2018 of the Central Bank of Kuwait, which has now been repealed by this new resolution.
Coverage E-payment providers

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