Minister of Economy, Finance and Administration Reform, Mohamed Benchaaboun, received, Tuesday 1 December, 2020, in Rabat, the European Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement, Oliver Varhelyi.
This meeting, which is part of the ongoing bilateral discussions on Morocco’s priorities in relation to the European initiative for the “Development Plan for the South”, also focused on the positive results of the Morocco-EU cooperation, particularly in addressing the effects of the current health crisis. It was also an occasion to touch on the development prospects of these relations to build the "Euro-Moroccan Partnership for Shared Prosperity."
In terms of financial cooperation, both parties welcomed the exemplary quality of this cooperation which has contributed to the implementation of several major reforms in Morocco.
The minister focused Morocco’s post-Covid 19 recovery plan and presented the vision and approach for its implementation. Mr. BENCHAABOUN highlighted role of the "Mohammed VI Fund for Investment" which will, in partnership with the private sector, contribute to financing and accompanying investment through thematic funds, particularly in the areas of industrial restructuring, innovation and promising growth activities, as well as SMEs, infrastructure, agriculture and tourism.
The minister requested the support of the EU to participate significantly in the Fund that could constitute a relay for promoting the presence of European investors in Morocco and reinforcing the diversification of supply sources within the framework of an intelligent overhaul of global value chains.
For his part, the European Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement, Oliver VARHELYI, expressed the will of the EU to continue to support Morocco. He also noted that the implementation of the "Development Plan for the South" is an opportunity to further enhance the exemplary relations between Morocco and the European Union.
