Ministry of SME amazed at calls for revision of SME draft charter

The ministry of social economy, small and medium sized enterprises and handicraft voiced amazement at the statement made by the federation of small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) calling for a substantial revision of the draft charter on SME.

A statement by the ministry, also in charge of the government's general affairs, said the criticism voiced by the federation chairman is all the more amazing as it comes from an organization that has always been associated to reflection on the dossier.

The federation was associated to the preparatory works of the charter, to the works of the reflection group that resulted in the drafting of the white book on SME, as well as to consultations on the drafting of the charter, the ministry said adding that the proposals made at these phases have inspired the measures included in the draft charter.

Once finalized, the draft was mailed last June to the federation and to other partners so that they make remarks and proposals. The ministry received no written answer from the federation and the federation chairman attended on June 26 a meeting on the charter. The federation chairman had then voiced appreciation for the quality of the draft and pledged to uphold it, the statement said.

The SME federation chairman, Adnan Debagh, last Wednesday voiced rejection of the draft charter on SME and called for a thorough revision of the text. Several provisions of the text might become obsolete in few months, he had said at a press briefing.

The SME federation is affiliated to the Moroccan employers' association La Confédération Générale des Entreprises du Maroc (CGEM).