Nevertheless, corruption exists and U.S. companies have at times identified it as an obstacle to doing business in Morocco, particularly in connection to customs practices as well as in government procurement. The current Moroccan government, in place since early 1998, defines transparency, good governance and combating corruption as top priorities, and has promoted open public discussion of corruption issues. It has increased transparency in public sector procurement and is working both to simplify regulations and sensitize government employees at all levels to ethics issues. The government is also working on anti-corruption issues with the World Bank, bilateral donors, and Moroccan civil society. It is illegal in Morocco to offer or accept bribes.
Punishments range from fines to jail sentences.
Bribes to a foreign official are not tax deductible. Morocco is not a signatory to the OECD Convention on Combating Bribery. A bilateral investment treaty between the United States and Morocco took effect on May 29, 1991. Morocco has similar agreements with 29 countries. Similar agreements are in effect with the agencies of France, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and Switzerland.