Morocco's house of representatives adopts 2000-2004 development plan

The House of Representatives (Lower House of the Moroccan Parliament) adopted Saturday the 2000-2004 economic and social development plan, by 87 votes.

20 Mps voted against the plan after a two-day debate.

The opposition-- that tabled 14 amendments that were turned down- deemed that the plan ignored the low-income categories as well as some poor regions and that it does not meet the Moroccan people's expectations as it did not adopt a comprehensive approach to development taking into account the economic and social changes sweeping over Morocco.

The 2000-2004 economic and social development plan provides for the reform of the administration and the education system, the fight against corruption, measures to guarantee the independence of justice, consolidation of human rights, tuning of community planning to state programs, training of elects and the enforcement of an electoral code taking into account new legislation and revised constituency-mapping.

In the economic field, it provides for modernization of small and medium enterprises and easier fiscal terms for them, the setting up of an investment promotion agency, promotion of investment in rural areas, introduction of modern techniques to upgrade yield and income of population in forest areas, consolidation of the role of trade, industry and service chambers and incentives to handicraft firms and tax-exemption for craftsmen.

It also provides for an updated change-rate policy, a yearly 3 % reduction of electricity costs, further involvement of Moroccan enterprises in major infrastructure construction, the extension of the road network, further support to scientific research, events to promote Moroccan culture, lower prices for medical equipment, faster action against illiteracy, and a better role for women in social and economic development.