Context and Initiatives for Technology Transfer and Innovation in Morocco Amine Bensaid Principal, The Futuris Project, Fondation RMA-WATANYA Advisor, MAScIR INCONET MIRA Exploring Knowledge and Tech Transfer Opportunities in the Euro-Mediterranean Brussels, Feb. 25-26, 2010 1
Morocco at a glance Macroeconomics Macroeconomics Modest figures, but Morocco clearly in transition: Democracy: Learning by doing! Freedom of speech: simulated annealing! Seems like a country under construction
Overview of the Major Development areas Industries and Infrastructure
Investment: Key Figures for Major Sectors A determined economic strategy aimed at long-term growth 11 bln 2008-2012 Industry Infrastructure Public investments 1,1 bln Private investments 4,5 bln thru 2015 Energy and Mines 7,2 bln thru 2012 Agriculture Tourism 13,6 bln thru 2020 9 bln thru 2010
Morocco Bound/Headed to Develop with Its Partners Morocco s fundamental conviction and choice: develop and integrate with partners in a global environment FTA w/ EU largest partner just-in-time delivery to Europe FTA w/ US East Coast <6 days away Gateway to Arab Countries (FTAs) Subsaharian Africa Both for economic growth and for value to partners Need to give visibility and manage expectations Need to develop technologically
Strategic Planning & Rigorous Project Mgt Becoming a Governmental Culture «MAROC INNOVATION» INITIATIVE Morocco Innovation Initiative www.mcinet.gov.ma 6
What s Morocco s Innovation Initiative Trying to Achieve? Clearly concerned with K&TT What s the best way to obtain results at the end of a selective & demanding process? Morocco Innovation Initiative www.mcinet.gov.ma 7
Approach - Comprehensive and Participative ComitéPermanent Interministériel de la Recherche scientifique et du Développement Technologique ComitéNational de l Innovation Centre Marocain de l Innovation UNIVERSITES Partenariats Assistance Financement Projets R&D Coaching Centres R&D publics et privés CNRST, MASCIR, INRA, INRH, CNESTEN, CRTS, REMINEX, CERPHOS. Centres Techniques Services Diffusion Technologiques Entreprises 8
Approach - Ambitious Morocco Innovation Initiative www.mcinet.gov.ma 9
How Is K&TT Coming in Morocco? The Initiative is being put together In the mean time, there have been Important achievements and promising signs Significant challenges www.mcinet.gov.ma 10
Achievements & Good Signs 1. Focus of Academy of Sci. & Tech has currently shifted to K&TT 2. (Government) Research funding available and promotes K&TT; e.g., telecom operators fund, CNRST, R&D Maroc 3. Emergency plan of Ministry of Higher Edu includes nontrivial research component to strengthen univ. research (re)structure 4. Ramp up of R&T support to infrastructure & service: UATRS, IMIST, MARWAN 5. R&D support for enterprises 6. Growing contribution by diaspora 7. MAScIR Moroccan Science, Innovation & Research Foundation Morocco Innovation Initiative www.mcinet.gov.ma 11
MAScIR: Moroccan Association for Science, Innovation, and Research Market-oriented Research Mission Board Members Orientation towards Industrial Partnerships Research Platform
Conceptual Model Universities Technology accelerator Innovation specification of partnersn MAScI R valor TDC Microelectronics Technological vigilance Market study Idea hunting Scientific infrastructure and facilities TDC Biotechnology Intellectual Property Spin-off Companies (Transfert) Inanotech Inanotech & Universities Training & Education 13
Projects Projects Inanotech TDC Microelectronic TDC Biotechnology 1. Development of magnetic sensors 2. Valorization of Moroccan clays 3. Development of plasma sensor technology 4. Modeling and simulation at a nano-scale 5. Nano-fabrication 1. Qualification design, micro-packaging (CSP and micropilar technology), fabrication and reliability tests. 2. Launch of a project with Nemoteck in relation with micro-cameras 1. Genetic tests for the diagnosis of prevalent pathologies 2. Immunity tests for the diagnosis of prevalent diseases 3. Innovative tests based on bio-sensors 4. Diagnosis tests for plants endemic diseases MAScIR - jan. 2010 14
Growing a Critical Mass Inanotech 2009 2010 TDC Microelectronic 2009 2010 TDC Biotechnology 2009 2010 Human Capital MAScIR 2009 2010 Total budget (over 5 yrs) Human Resources 63 101 15 32 5 20 92 (including 9 admin) 159 (including 9 admin) Equipment Budget 2009-2013 1 Billion MDH MAScIR - jan. 2010 15
Contributing to Closing the Tech-Based Value Creation Loop Value creation MAScIR Technopolis e.g. Nemotek Technologies
Identifying Gaps to Close in Virtuous Cycle Intellectual Property Industrial Collaboration Economic Development Research Commercial Partnerships Growth Citizens Welfare Education # egrs Innovation culture Technology Licensing 17
Still a Long Way to Go Many Gaps to Close in the Virtuous Cycle Intellectual Property Protection & gestion d IP Assurances de protection d IP du partenaire Identification of potentially competitive ideas Financement - Essaimage Veille techno Identification d idées porteuses Incubation Technology VC Prototypage Commercial Partnerships Industrial Collaboration Financement Productization Promotion de JVs Intelligence w.r.t. partner s market Business Development Commercialisation Economic Development Research Collaboration, échanges, projets communs Financement de la recherche Relation univ-industrie Veille technologique Partenariats Approche inspirée par le marché Technology Licensing Identification of promising technologies Technological due diligence Approche conduite par le marché 18
Challenges & Opportunities in Growing Euro-Med Win-Wins Technology accelerators: Technology VC Technology due diligence IP management, and ensuring partner s IP protected Market development Nemotek formula Diaspora could play important role (e.g., CNRST incubator project, KAUST formula ) Morocco Innovation Initiative www.mcinet.gov.ma 19
Summary Morocco is on the move Technological development and K&TT are strategic choices Some good work is being done in entrepreneurial fashion, and considerable challenges remain Hope is that Morocco s current choices and on-going development offer good value for market-driven win-win R&T partnerships Euromed cooperation is certainly one of the main important space of win-win opportunities for Morocco Morocco Innovation Initiative www.mcinet.gov.ma 20
Thank You Questions / Réponses Octobre 2008 www. mcine t.gov.