Morocco determined to extend information technologies use

Morocco said it is determined to extend the use of new information technologies in economic, social and cultural sectors.

The government is determined to ease the citizens' access to new information technologies and draw benefits from the highly-skilled Moroccan cadres, secretary of state in charge of posts and new information and communication technology, Nasr Hajji, told MAP news agency.

Rabat hosted Nov.22-24 a seminar on "Morocco in the new economy," during which participants stressed the need for Morocco to exploit this promising sector.

They deplored that IT investments remain insufficient in Morocco.

Khalid Hariry, president of the Moroccan association of information technologies professionals told the meeting that only 8% of firms are connected to Internet in Morocco and only five people out of 1,000 use the net. He imputed the low Internet use to the high cost of connection, weakness of the purchasing power and high illiteracy rate.

The professional deplored that the number of diploma holders in information technology is also weak in Morocco, standing at 2,000 graduates annually. He added that Moroccan professionals are tempted by possibilities offered abroad, especially in Europe.

Hariry argued democratization of access to information technologies will remedy the deplorable situation of the sector in Morocco. Bridging gaps between the have and the have-nots is necessary, he said.

Addressing the same meeting, Royal advisor, Andre Azoulay, said the new information technologies sector is very promising for Morocco, as it will generate 80,000 jobs by 2004 against 10,000 presently.

The sales of these sectors will rise to $ 4 billion, he said, adding the turnover of the new information and communication technologies can post a growth of 250 % by 2004.