28% of companies suspended their activities in 2021, HCP

Nearly a third of companies in Morocco have stopped their activities, for an average duration of 143 days in 2021, according to the High Planning Commission (HCP).

“The resumption of activity in 2021 was a little difficult for 28% of companies that suspended their activities for an average of 143 days during this year,” said the HCP in a report.

This suspension was slightly longer for 30% of very small companies, with an average period of 158 days of suspension, against 116 days for 27% of small and medium-sized companies and 107 days for 14% of large companies, according to the same source.

Companies in the Education and Human Health (94%), Energy (84%), and Trade (83%) sectors operated continuously without a stoppage in 2021.

Companies in the accommodation (52%), arts, entertainment, and recreation (49%), and construction (37%) sectors stopped their activities for an average period of 250, 186, and 169 days respectively.

The HCP pointed out, in the report, that nearly 43% of companies have experienced a decline in activity of more than 50% during the year 2021 compared to the period before the pandemic, 27% reported a decline between 10% and 50%, and 10% reported a decline of less than 10%.

More than half of very small companies noted a decline in activity of 50% or more in 2021 against 31% for small and medium-sized companies and 13% for large companies, stressed the HCP, noting that in the accommodation sector, almost all companies have reported a decrease in activities, and 86% have declared a decline of 50% or more during the year 2021 compared to the period before the covid-19 pandemic.