Mr. Salaheddine MEZOUAR, Minister of the Economy and Finance arrived in Washington on Thursday 10th of April 2008. He headed a delegation of the Ministry`s officials to attend in the spring meetings of the international Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank that took place this year from 12th to 13th April, 2008.
Mr. MEZOUAR represented Morocco in the Development Committee meeting held on April 13th ,2008. This is a joint ministerial committee involving the World Bank as well as the International Monetary Fund and whose main role is examine issues relating to the transfer of concrete resources to developing countries.
This committee examined the following items:
I. The International follow-up report for the year 2008, which includes progress made towards meeting the development objectives of the millennium.
II. Putting in place a strategic framework of the intervention of the bank; a framework that focuses on climate changes.
III. Consolidating the representation of developing countries or countries in transition at the level of Brent Woods institutions.
IV. Impact of soaring prices of raw materials on developing countries.
In his capacity as member of this development committee, Mr. MEZOUAR gave a presentation on the consequences of soaring prices of raw materials, particularly basic foodstuffs and oil on developing countries. He also spoke about the role the international community and development partners should play in order to help these countries face up these rocketing prices.
Alongside his participation in the meetings of the development committee, the Minister of Economy and Finance held bilateral talks with officials of international financial institutions.