Moroccan Government Presents Interim Progress Report to Parliament

On April 25, 2024, Moroccan Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch presented the government's interim progress report to the bicameral parliament in a joint public session. The report highlighted the government's achievements and initiatives across various sectors, emphasizing its commitment to fulfilling electoral promises and meeting citizens' aspirations.

Akhannouch underscored the government's successful implementation of a comprehensive strategy to ensure universal health coverage. The expansion of basic health insurance to over 10 million citizens previously covered by the 'RAMED' system, with an annual budget of 9.5 billion dirhams, was a key accomplishment.

The prime minister acknowledged the global uncertainties and crises, including the health crisis, and stressed the need for proactive measures to mitigate their impacts on economic and social development. He attributed Morocco's progress in various fields, including constitutional, democratic, developmental, diplomatic, and sports, to the insightful royal vision that laid the foundations of the modern state.

Morocco's diplomatic approach gained international recognition for its handling of the Western Sahara issue. The government aims to make the southern regions of Morocco a geopolitical reference point, promoting peace, stability, and prosperity in the Euro-African region.

Akhannouch highlighted Morocco's successful reversal of inflationary trends, with consumer price inflation declining from 10.1% in February 2023 to 0.7% in March 2024, particularly in food prices despite drought conditions. The government implemented interventions to support employment and protect purchasing power, including the 'Aurash' program, which created over 221,000 jobs, and the 'Forsa' program, which aided 21,000 young entrepreneurs.

The government allocated 20 billion dirhams for tax relief measures and exceptional programs to address drought effects and ensure agricultural stability. Support was extended to various sectors, including tourism, with 2 billion dirhams allocated to sustain 800 hotel facilities and aid 40,000 workers. Funds were invested in basic consumer goods, transportation, and energy stability, including VAT reduction and customs duty suspension on essential products.

Export growth was observed in key industries like automotive, electronics, and aviation, with plans to enhance local integration and increase production capacity by 2025. The tourism sector experienced a resurgence, backed by government investments and a strategic roadmap for 2023-2026, leading to a record influx of 14.5 million tourists in 2023 and 105 billion dirhams in revenues.

Why this matters: The Moroccan government's interim progress report demonstrates its commitment to addressing critical issues such as universal health coverage, economic stability, and social development. The successful implementation of various initiatives and the country's resilience in the face of global challenges highlight Morocco's progress and its potential to serve as a model for other nations in the region.

The presentation of the interim progress report comes on the heels of the First International Forum on the Moroccan Sahara, held in Dakhla on April 24, 2024. The forum focused on the Moroccan Sahara as a cultural heritage and a space for integration into the African Atlantic Ocean, based on the visionary royal vision of King Mohammed VI. It aimed to discuss the geo-economic stakes and geopolitical implications of the development projects in the Moroccan Sahara and its role

Key Takeaways

• Morocco's PM presented govt's progress report, highlighting achievements across sectors.
• Govt expanded health coverage, reversed inflation, and supported employment and entrepreneurs.
• Morocco's diplomatic approach on Western Sahara gained international recognition.
• Govt invested in tourism, exports, and essential goods to boost economic stability.
• Interim report showcases Morocco's resilience and potential as a regional model.