As part of Morocco's ongoing efforts to consolidate its position as a leader in the sustainable development and enhancement of its maritime resources, the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) hosted the first meeting of the Technical Committee for the Development of the Blue Economy (BE) in Morocco on February 29, 2024. This meeting marked the official start of work on the National Strategy for the Development of the Blue Economy (SNEB), an ambitious project aimed at unlocking the economic, social and environmental potential of the Kingdom's coastal and marine zones.
Mr. FARHAT, Principal Coordinator of the BE Development Program and Deputy Budget Director in charge of coordinating financing structures, at MEF, this first session brought together key representatives from various ministries, agencies and public offices, all committed to building a robust, inclusive and sustainable blue economy.
The main objective of the meeting was to review and validate the work plan of the Interministerial Commission for the Blue Economy (CIDEB) and the strategic orientation note for the SNEB.
Mr. FARHAT underlined the importance of this initiative, which is in line with the national strategic orientations and the Royal Vision, aimed at making Morocco a leading maritime hub, connected to Africa and the rest of the world. He stressed the need for a collaborative and consultative approach, involving all stakeholders, to ensure the success of this strategy.
Discussions focused on various crucial aspects, such as defining the scope of BE, the importance of regional planning, and the need to develop a unified conceptual framework for BE in Morocco. The meeting also highlighted the importance of synergy between different sectors and regions, and the need to establish effective mechanisms to overcome existing challenges. The SNEB will thus rely on the development of coastal clusters to ensure cross-sectoral collaboration at central and regional levels.
This meeting represents a decisive step towards the realization of the SNEB, which aims to position Morocco as a leader in the sustainable management of maritime and coastal resources, thus propelling the country's economic development while preserving its natural capital for future generations.
Participants at the first Technical Committee meeting
- Ministry of Economy and Finance (Budget Department and Financial Studies and Forecasting Department)
- Ministry of Agriculture, Maritime Fishing, Rural Development and Water and Forests
- Ministry of Investment, Convergence and Evaluation of Public Policies
- Ministry of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development
- Regional Planning Department
- National Institute for Fisheries Research (INRH)
- National Aquaculture Development Agency (ANDA)
- National Ports Agency (ANP)