Prime minister spells out future challenges for the Government
Morocco, Politics, 6/11/2004

Moroccan Prime minister Driss Jettou on Thursday called on the new government, appointed by King Mohammed VI on Tuesday, to "speed up the pace of reforms and achievements," said communication minister and government spokesman, Nabil Benabdellah.

The spokesman told MAP following the 1st meeting of the new cabinet, whose number was lowered from 38 members to 34 in a reshuffle that was described by the palace spokesman a "technical ministerial readjustment," "the trust placed in the government by the sovereign should spur them to open more major development workshops as part of an integrated and comprehensive economic and social development vision." The new vision, as defined by Jettou, should seek to create new regional economic hubs in order to secure geographic balances and global and lasting development.

He also urged the government to re-direct its action toward developing the potentials of Morocco's economy, tapping on the kingdom's natural resources and human capital, consolidating Moroccan enterprises, speeding up the GDP growth, striving to secure a fair distribution of wealth and generating job opportunities.

To this end, he explained, the government should adopt a balanced and global vision of territory development and carry on the upgrading of the Moroccan economy. This, he went on, should be done by "deepening its openness onto its regional and international environment and adapting it to the requirements of the free trade agreements that Morocco has concluded with several countries."

Outlining specific actions needed from the government, Jettou cited the gradual integration of internal trade and handicraft in the formal sector, the adoption of a legislative framework to organize crafts and social coverage to crafts workers, mainly health insurance, insurance of occupational accidents and a special retirement regime. In this context, he called on the concerned ministries to carry on the works of the commissions in charge of studying the draft law on the compulsory health insurance so that it enters into force on January 1st, 2005.

Previous Stories:
  Morocco's new government; list of ministers   (6/9/2004)
  New labor code enters into force   (6/9/2004)
  Morocco reduces government from 38 to 34 members   (6/9/2004)

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