Highlights

Morocco-EU: 5 cooperation programs signed for a total of 5.5 MMDH

02/03/2023
Morocco-EU: 5 cooperation programs signed for a total of 5.5 MMDH

Mr. Fouzi LEKJAA, Minister Delegate in charge of the Budget, and Mr. Oliver Varhelyi, European Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement, signed, Thursday, March 2, 2023 five financing agreements at the headquarters of the Ministry of Economy and Finance to support the following programs:

  • The "KARAMA" program, with a budget of 130 million euros (1.43 MMDH), is the second phase of the EU-funded social protection support program in Morocco. Its main objective is to support the reform of the country's social protection system, improving the quality and efficiency of basic social services and establishing a universal social protection system. The program will support specific measures to ensure equitable access to universal health coverage, family allowances, unemployment insurance and pensions for the Moroccan population. In addition, the program will strengthen social assistance and the rights of vulnerable people, including migrants, by providing them with appropriate care and protection;
  • The program "AL ARD AL KHADRAA - GREEN LAND" is part of the EU-Morocco Green Partnership; it is financed with 115 million euros (1.26 MMDH) and aims to support the green, inclusive and innovative aspects of two national strategies in agriculture with "Green Generation" and in forestry with "Forests of Morocco". The main objective is to improve the environmental and economic sustainability of agricultural and forestry activities while promoting the social and economic inclusion of rural populations;
  • The Public Administration Reform Support Program, financed to the tune of 50 million euros (550 MDH), aims to improve citizens' access to public services, organize government services more efficiently and promote the dematerialization of administrative procedures. This program aims to simplify and digitize administrative procedures for citizens and businesses, as well as to improve the transparency and quality of public services. In addition, it will contribute to decentralize administrative services to bring them closer to citizens;
  • The Migration Flow Management Support Program, which is in line with the objectives of the Kingdom of Morocco's National Immigration and Asylum Strategy, has been allocated 152 million euros (1.67 MMDH). The objective of this program is to support the Moroccan authorities in their efforts to address the challenges of irregular migration, smuggling of migrants, and human trafficking;
  • This program also aims to improve migration management by strengthening the institutional and legal framework, promoting access to basic services for migrants and their integration.
  • The Financial Inclusion Support Program aims to improve access to financing for businesses and people who have difficulty accessing financial products and services. The amount of funding allocated is 51 million euros (561 MDH).

Mr. Fouzi LEKJAA stressed that the signing of financing agreements for a total amount of about 5.5 MMDH (498 million euros) for important projects represents a major step in the economic, social and environmental development of the Kingdom of Morocco. He also welcomed the commitment of the European Union to support the efforts of the country in its quest for sustainable and inclusive development. He recalled that these projects testify to the quality and density of cooperation ties between the Kingdom of Morocco and the European Union, as well as the importance of EU support for the country's development efforts.

On this occasion, Mr. Fouzi LEKJAA welcomed the decision of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) to remove the Kingdom of Morocco from the gray list, which will positively affect sovereign ratings and bank ratings and facilitate Morocco's negotiations with international financial institutions, and strengthen the confidence of foreign investors in the national economy.

At the end of this ceremony, Mr. Fouzi LEKJAA and Mr. Oliver Varhelyi welcomed the level of cooperation between the Kingdom of Morocco and the EU, while expressing their willingness to engage in a joint reflection to strengthen access to community financial means.


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