The board of Confédération Générale des Entreprises du Maroc (CGEM) has approved its 2025 activity report and set the timetable for electing its next president.
The organisation’s board met on Thursday under the chairmanship of Chakib Alj to review governance issues and the employers’ group’s financial position.
Members examined the draft moral report for 2025 as well as the proposed financial accounts for the same year. Both documents were approved at the end of the meeting.
In his opening remarks, Mr Alj highlighted several economic measures adopted over the past year. These included Morocco’s long-debated law regulating strikes, measures supporting very small and small businesses under the national Investment Charter, and provisions included in the 2026 finance law.
He also pointed to several reforms still under discussion, including a review of the labour code, changes to the vocational training system and a reform of the pension regime.
Mr Alj said efforts were also under way to improve companies’ access to financing, particularly for very small, small and medium-sized enterprises, and to strengthen the appeal of the Casablanca Stock Exchange.
The meeting also confirmed the timetable for the organisation’s next leadership vote.
The board approved 11 March 2026 as the date to launch the official call for candidates for the CGEM presidency for the 2026–2029 term.
In line with the group’s internal rules, a further meeting will then be held to validate the applications and draw up the final list of candidates.
Members will vote during the elective general assembly scheduled for 14 May 2026.
Founded in 1947, the CGEM represents thousands of companies across Morocco and serves as the main voice of the private sector in talks with the government and trade unions.
Mr Alj has led the organisation since 2020, overseeing a period marked by the economic recovery following the Covid-19 pandemic and debates over structural reforms affecting businesses.
Among the most sensitive issues are the planned revision of the 2004 labour code and the reform of pension funds, which face long-term financial pressure.
Morocco’s Investment Charter also aims to boost private investment so it accounts for two-thirds of total national investment by 2035, with particular focus on supporting small businesses.
The period between the call for candidates in March and the vote in May will allow contenders to present their programmes and outline their priorities for the country’s business climate.
