Oujda to host “Openness” program to qualify SMEs in exchange risk management

Economy of the East

The Moroccan Association of Market Halls continues its national tour as part of the “Openness” program to educate small and medium-sized enterprises on exchange risks, in partnership with the Bank of Morocco and the Exchange Office. The caravan landed in Fez on October 7, 2025, and Oujda on October 14, 2025, as part of an initiative aimed at strengthening the capacities of entrepreneurs to face currency market fluctuations under the flexible exchange regime.

The “Openness” program was launched in 2021 at the initiative of the Bank of Morocco, in response to an urgent need for Moroccan SMEs to understand the mechanisms of the dirham's flexibility and exchange risk management. This program comes in the context of a structural transformation of the national economy, where the exchange rate has become more flexible, making it necessary for importers and exporters to adopt precise strategies to reduce the impact of monetary fluctuations on their business activities.

The program is based on a clear trilogy: Understand, Anticipate, and Act on Exchange Risk. This pedagogical approach aims to simplify seemingly complex concepts for entrepreneurs and provide them with the practical tools necessary to protect their profit margins from the effects of foreign currency fluctuations. Many SMEs, especially those operating in the energy, agricultural inputs and raw materials sectors, find themselves directly exposed to these risks.

For Oujda, this station is of particular importance. The city is experiencing a growing economic dynamism, thanks to its strategic location as a gateway to Algeria and Europe, as well as the development of its industrial and commercial fabric. Small and medium-sized enterprises in the eastern region, whether in the textile sector, border trade or the food industry, are increasingly dealing with international markets, making the mastery of exchange risk management mechanisms a strategic necessity rather than an option.

Each stop of the caravan took the form of interactive seminars, with the participation of experts from the Bank of Morocco, the Exchange Office, and market professionals. This direct dialog allows for both regulatory aspects and practical solutions, bringing businesses closer to financial best practices. It also allows entrepreneurs to raise their queries about the applicable legal frameworks and benefit from the experiences of their peers in managing international financial operations.

The Moroccan Association of Market Halls, founded in 2018, is an independent, non-profit professional association with 12 member organizations and nearly 200 professionals from the market finance professions. It is actively engaged in the development of the Moroccan capital market, the promotion of best professional practices and the continuous training of industry players, as well as the promotion of synergies between local and international operators.

For small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the Eastern Province, Oujda is an opportunity to develop a financial culture that is adapted to the requirements of economic openness. Today, Morocco has an organizational and infrastructural structure that enables businesses to better assess and manage their exposure to international markets. However, the success of this transformation depends on the ability of entrepreneurs to understand the available tools and adopt proactive practices to protect their activities from monetary fluctuations.

Through this initiative, AMSM emphasizes its role as a close partner and catalyst in spreading a financial culture adapted to the needs of Moroccan businesses. The main bet is to provide the local economic fabric, especially in the eastern provinces, with the necessary knowledge to transform the challenges associated with the flexibility of the dirham into opportunities to enhance competitiveness and sustainable growth.