Morocco, Belgium assess cooperation in drinking water supply

Morocco and Belgium reviewed cooperation in drinking water supply and sanitation in light of numerous support actions undertaken in this connection by Belgium in Morocco.

The meeting, which took place as a Belgian business delegation led by the foreign trade and environment minister for the Brussels-capital region visited a water treatment plant, looked into Belgium-financed drinking water projects in southern Morocco. The Moroccan water authority ONEP is planning to seek Belgian assistance for other facilities.

During his visit to Morocco, the Belgian official has signed agreements for cooperation in environment protection with Morocco and with Casablanca authorities.

He said one of the projects is an air-quality measurement device and waste-collecting and treatment.

In addition to meeting executives from the phosphates corporate OCP, the port authority ODEP and the employers association CGEM, the delegation visited an anarchic waste disposal site, near Casablanca, where 2,600 tons of household garbage are disposed daily, causing serious harms to the environment.

Last February, Belgium earmarked 130 million Belgian francs ($3.42 mln) to support a $6.42 million-worth project to supply drinking water to Moroccan southwestern rural areas.