At a seminar, organized on June 29th 2009 in collaboration with the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF), USAID (The U.S. Agency for International Development) presented the results of its assistance program in Morocco for the period 2004-2009.
In his speech, the Secretary General of the MEF, Mr. Abdeltif Loudyi, welcomed the support provided by USAID in Morocco to achieve a sustained economic and social development. He also stressed the excellent relations of partnership that have always existed between Morocco and the USA especially after the signing and implementation of two agreements, namely the Free Trade Agreement and the Agreement on financial cooperation within the framework of the U.S. development aid "Millennium Challenge Account."
| |
|
Mr. Loudyi also expressed the wish to see the financial framework of the USAID program ascend to attain the ambitions and the cooperation opportunities available to both countries.
For its part, the acting Chargé d`Affaires of the United States to Morocco, expressed the willingness of his country to continue to develop its relations with Morocco and to support the implementation of development programs of Moroccan government
The Director of USAID in Morocco, Ms. Monica Stein-Olson-, asserted that Morocco has made significant progress to the liberalization, democratization and good governance of its economy. She also stated that USAID has supported Morocco in its large-scale development to meet the priority needs of the population. Ms. Olson expressed great satisfaction with the results of the assistance program of USAID in Morocco for the period 2004-2009.She announced that in 2009-2014,the USAID strategy?s aim is to continue the actions already undertaken and develop new projects designed to involve youth in economic and political life.
In its assistance program in Morocco for the period 2004-2009, USAID is involved in three areas: education and vocational training, good governance and economic growth.
Regarding education, USAID has provided assistance to basic education and vocational training for youth employment. With the help of the Ministry of Education, USAID has developed and tested eight models to make the National Charter for Education and Training in 1999 operational. The models include, among others: the relevance of learning; the drawing up project and social mobilization; the extracurricular activities, the civic education, the female literacy, the integration of information technology and the Dar Talibas of Quality.
As to good governance, USAID has supported a transparent system of governance to encourage public debate namely projects to improve municipal government. The agency has established partnerships between citizens and administration to concrete achievements, especially at the local level. USAID also provided support to strengthen the capacity of Parliament to oversee public finance, to review legislation and policies to enable the public to participate more in decision making.
Concerning economic growth, USAID supported farmers to convert their crops into higher added value ones and provide employment in other activities. The agency helped improve the business climate, reduce administrative procedures and facilitate access to credit for small size enterprises.