Morocco Advances Reforms For Inclusive Growth

Ismail Abdulaziz
Dec, Fri, 2024

Foreign

Morocco advances reforms for inclusive growth

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By Sumaila Ogbaje

King Mohammed VI of Morocco has expressed commitment to structural reforms, and aligning administrative and developmental efforts with the broader vision for sustainable and inclusive growth.

The king made the commitment in his message read by the Interior Minister, Abdelouafi Laftit, to the participants at the 2nd National Conference on Advanced Regionalisation, on Friday in Tangier.

He highlighted key challenges in the implementation of advanced regionalisation in Morocco and the significance of the process for fostering economic and social development, improving governance, and addressing regional disparities.

King Mohammed said the conference aimed to strengthen local governance and economic development at both regional and national levels, while building on the foundation set by the first national conference in 2019.

He said there was the urgency in implementing the National Charter for Administrative Devolution, emphasising ministries’ active roles in transferring powers to regional authorities.

“To achieve this goal, regions and local governments – each in their field of competence and within their specific powers as well as those shared with other stakeholders – are called upon to launch more ambitious programmes and initiatives within the framework of a national strategy for water conservation at the regional level.

“They are also expected to contribute to implementing that strategy through effective procedural measures.

“As regards the development of the transportation and mobility system for the achievement of integrated regional development, it is clear that this sector will quickly develop in the next few years.

“The reason for this is the growing dynamism of our country as a regional hub that attracts investment, not to mention the large-scale projects launched as part of our country’s preparations to host the 2030 football World Cup.

“Developing a comprehensive, sustainable transportation system has become a basic requirement for the achievement of integrated local and regional development.

“It is also a key entry point for reducing regional and social disparities,’’ he said.

To achieve this goal, the King urged regions and local governments to contribute to developing the sector, and accompany the efforts made by the state in that regard.

He added that digital transition at the local and regional levels had become a requirement to keep pace with the technological revolution the world is witnessing today.

According to him, one can hardly imagine a regional or local development process without digital development, especially since digital technology has been playing an increasingly important role in the management of local and regional affairs.

Omar Morro, President of the Council of the Region of Tangan-Texoum-Al Houceima, said the slogan of the conference, “Advanced Regionalism between the Challenges of Today and Tomorrow”, was consistent with the constant concern of the Regional Councils.

Morro said that implementing and developing the first advanced project in nine years had revealed the basic opportunities and challenges that must be dealt with.

The President, Association of Regions of Morocco, Bouaida Mbarka, said the conference was an opportunity for participatory approach and collective interaction on the problems raised.

Mbarka said it was to identify the nature of the challenges posed in order to make the Moroccan experience a success and to come up with solid, realistic and achievable recommendations that meet the expectations of all actors.

The aim, according to her, is to achieve the programmes and projects that they aspired to in order to draw and develop the areas that are authorised by the regulatory law and to promote investment for job opportunities and employment.

“Our first and last goal remains to create a democratic dynamic that benefits the population within the framework of justice,’’ she said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Yakubu Uba

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