French agency grants morocco 50 million ff for development of northern regions

The French Development Agency (AFD) has granted Morocco a 50 million FF donation to support infrastructure projects meant to develop northern regions.

The donation implementation agreement, signed in Rabat on Friday between the agency and Morocco's APDN, agency for the Development of northern regions, defines the donation use and disbursement modalities.

The signing ceremony was chaired by Morocco's premier, Abderrahmane Youssoufi and economic, finance, privatization and tourism minister, Fathallah Oualalou.

The donation is part of a 100 Mln FF-grant to help Morocco alleviate effects of a two successive dry seasons. Projects to be financed by the new grant are meant to reduce unemployment, build roads and support a micro-finance program in the region.

Since 1998, France has granted Morocco easy-term loans worth 1.3 billion FF to carry out water-supply projects, connect rural areas to the electricity grid, preserve environment, improve the road network and fight unhealthy housing. France also contributed in financing hydro-agricultural facilities, education and university research programs.

The agency financial commitments in Morocco since 1992 is worth 4.6 billion FF, accounting for 11% of its overall contributions to projects worldwide.