As part of Morocco’s organization of the 2023 Annual Meetings of the World Bank Group and the IMF (AA2023) to be held in Marrakech in October, Mrs. Kristalina GEORGIEVA, General Director of the International Monetary Fund (GD IMF), visited Morocco from 17th to 21st June 2023.
During this mission, Mrs. GEORGIEVA participated in several activities and had several meetings with senior Moroccan officials, including the Head of Government, Mrs. Nadia FETTAH, Minister of Economy and Finance and Mr. Faouzi LEKJAA, Minister Delegate in charge of the Budget.
In this context, the Minister of Economy and Finance and the Director General of the IMF visited, Sunday, June 18th 2023, the NOOR Ouarzazate solar complex. During the meeting, the GD received explanations regarding the functioning of this infrastructure, Morocco’s strategy for the development of renewable energies and our country’s strong commitment to the transition to green energy.
Upon returning to Rabat, Sunday afternoon of June 19th, the IMF GD had the opportunity to visit the Mohammed VI Maâmora Football Complex. She took note of this infrastructure and met some players and staff of the Moroccan national team. During this visit, the CEO congratulated the national team on its brilliant performance at the recent 2022 World Cup, highlighting the spirit of unity, hard work and determination that have marked the world. This is the spirit we want to see at the AA2023 in Marrakech,” she stressed.
In addition, the IMF GD was received, Monday, June 19th, 2023 by the Minister of Economy and Finance and the Minister Delegate in charge of the Budget, at the Department’s headquarters. This meeting was an opportunity to discuss the ongoing preparations for the organization of the AA2023 and the measures taken by the Moroccan authorities for the success of this event.
The Minister said that the AA2023 will be an opportunity to highlight the major reforms implemented by Morocco in the various areas of development, under the enlightened leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI.
For her part, Mrs. Georgieva said that Morocco is the "ideal place" for holding the next annual meetings of the IMF and the World Bank, given its strong and dynamic economy. The GD of the IMF was also received by the Head of Government. The prospects of cooperation between Morocco and the IMF and preparations for the holding of the AA2023 in our country were discussed during this meeting.
On the morning of Monday, June 19th, 2023, the IMF GD, accompanied by the Minister of Economy and Finance, took part in a high-level round table, jointly organized by Bank Al-Maghrib and the IMF on Central Bank’s digital currency.
On Tuesday, June 20th, 2023, the IMF GD and the Minister of Economy and Finance had other activities that took place at the level of the city of Marrakech.
Both officials participated in a meeting organized at the University Cadi Ayad in Marrakech with students mobilized from five Moroccan universities as volunteers during the next AA2023. Thus, no less than 500 volunteer students have been mobilized with the Mohamed V University, the Cadi Ayad University, the International University of Rabat, Al Akhawayne University and Mohammed VI Polytechnic University in the framework of partnership agreements between the Ministry of Economy and Finance and these five universities.
During her introductory speech at this meeting, the Minister of Economy and Finance welcomed the role of public education in the Kingdom in the training and supervision of its youth. She also stressed the importance of this opportunity offered to young Moroccan students to meet the world of Economy and Finance during these Assemblies and reiterated her confidence in the ability of students mobilized to promote the image of youth to the international community.
The Director-General of the IMF highlighted the positive impact of the AA2023 on our country and on Africa in general and emphasized the importance of voluntary activities on the development and enrichment of the experience of young students.
Discussions with students focused on the IMF’s role in promoting international economic cooperation for growth and global prosperity. supporting countries in the region to fight income inequality and promote social inclusion as well as challenging climate change.
The day in Marrakech was punctuated by a joint visit to the campus of the event in Bab Ighli, or the two senior officials were able to testify to the progress of the development of the site and had the necessary explanations on the progress of the work and the facilities planned in the campus.
On this occasion, the General- Director of the IMF commended the progress made and expressed her gratitude to the Moroccan organizing team for its commitment and mobilization around these Assemblies. At the end of her visit, the IMF GD met with the Wali of the Marrakech-Safi Region, with whom the preparations of the city of Marrakech to host the AA2023 were discussed.