Transforming into a Vibrant Industrial Territory
Located in the Rehamna province and strategically positioned near Marrakech, Sidi Bou Othmane is undergoing a significant industrial transformation. No longer merely a suburban area of Marrakech, it is evolving into a genuine hub for high-value manufacturing activities. This shift is facilitated by the establishment of various enterprises engaged in packaging, plastics, medical devices, cosmetics, and other industrial sectors. The industrial park of Sidi Bou Othmane serves as a crucial backbone for this burgeoning ecosystem, providing the necessary infrastructure for investments seeking industrial land close to Marrakech. A notable project is that of AMG Packaging, a subsidiary of the Italian group Pro-Gest, which commenced construction in April 2023 on a paper and cardboard packaging manufacturing unit with an investment of 266 million dirhams on 10 hectares of land. This initiative is expected to create 170 jobs and produce packaging for the agricultural, catering, and storage sectors.
Diversification and Industrial Sovereignty
The industrial diversification is already evident with the establishment of INPHAB – Laboratoires Institut Pharmaceutique Bio, which initiated a new manufacturing site in Sidi Bou Othmane in 2023. The company specializes in medical devices and cosmetics, holding certifications for medical devices and good manufacturing practices in cosmetics. This development not only diversifies the local industrial base but also reflects a shift towards higher quality, regulation, innovation, and added value. Particularly noteworthy is the advancement in medical devices; on January 16, 2026, IM MEDICARE inaugurated a facility in the Sidi Bou Othmane industrial park dedicated to the production of hypodermic syringes and vaccines, with an investment of 85 million dirhams and the creation of 70 direct jobs, boasting a production capacity of 450 million syringes annually. This project has been recognized as a significant step towards enhancing national sovereignty in the medical device sector and aims to penetrate African markets.
On July 7, 2026, Plastikpack Maroc further expanded the industrial landscape by inaugurating a facility specializing in plastic injection, representing an investment of 150 million dirhams and generating 200 direct jobs. This site includes a production workshop of 3,000 m² and a storage facility of approximately 7,000 m², with plans for new lines to broaden the range of high-value-added products. Together with AMG Packaging, Sidi Bou Othmane is solidifying its specialization in plastics and packaging, meeting the needs generated by agricultural, food, and manufacturing industries.
Collectively, the documented investments from AMG Packaging, IM MEDICARE, and Plastikpack Maroc amount to 501 million dirhams, not including the undisclosed investment from INPHAB. These figures illustrate the growing industrial capabilities of Sidi Bou Othmane and highlight its remarkable diversification across sectors such as paper and cardboard packaging, medical devices, plastic injection, cosmetics, and health products. This combination fosters the gradual establishment of a network of suppliers, subcontractors, and specialized service providers around existing industrial units.
One of the key advantages of Sidi Bou Othmane lies in its ability to provide an industrial environment that offers companies spaces tailored to their production and storage needs. Given the higher land pressure surrounding Marrakech, this availability represents a significant competitive edge. For investors, the challenge now is to ensure a sufficiently structured industrial offer, supported by infrastructure, networks, services, logistics, and simplified procedures. The proximity to Marrakech enhances this advantage, allowing businesses in Sidi Bou Othmane to access a substantial consumer base, services, skills, and economic partners.
The next critical step is to evolve from a collection of projects into a cohesive industrial ecosystem. The simultaneous presence of packaging, plastics, and medical device manufacturers is already establishing favorable conditions for developing local value chains. The demands for industrial maintenance, transport, storage, packaging, injection, components, industrial computing, security, specialized cleaning, technical training, and business services can create new opportunities for SMEs and micro-enterprises. Sidi Bou Othmane might also develop agro-industrial and transformation activities linked to the agricultural potential of Rehamna and establish logistical platforms to serve Marrakech and regional markets.
Thus, the implications extend far beyond the local commune. Sidi Bou Othmane has the potential to become an essential industrial component of Marrakech, accommodating productive activities that require more space while enhancing the industrial and logistical functions of the Marrakech economic area. The investments already made indicate that the territory has begun to gain industrial credibility. The arrival of IM MEDICARE in the medical devices sector and the expansion of Plastikpack in plastic injection in 2026 send strong signals in this regard. If this momentum is accompanied by a competitive land offer, efficient infrastructure, effective network connectivity, a skilled workforce, and enhanced investor support, Sidi Bou Othmane could progressively establish itself as one of the new industrial, agro-industrial, and logistical hubs of Marrakech-Safi.
Ultimately, the challenge will be to attract suppliers and subcontractors around the existing enterprises, foster synergies among industrial players, and transform individual investments into local value chains capable of producing, employing, and exporting. By 2030, this strategy could position Sidi Bou Othmane as a strategic industrial territory serving Marrakech, Rehamna, and, more broadly, enhancing the competitiveness of the Marrakech-Safi region.
As reported by industries.ma.
