Morocco-WB talks in Algiers

Moroccan minister of economy, finance, privatization and tourism, Fathallah Oualalou, held talks in Algiers Monday with vice-president of the World Bank for the Middle east and North Africa, Jean-Louis Serbib, who was accompanied by the WB executive in charge of the Maghreb region.

Talks assessed the evolution of Moroccan economy in the prospect of the 2002 finance bill, Oualalou told MAP bureau in Algiers.

He said that the WB has been informed about the broad lines of this bill and about the reforms projected in various sectors, including justice, education and administration as well as devolution. The minister added that he discussed with his interlocutors partnership between Morocco and the WB in enforcing these reforms.

Partnership between the two sides in carrying out investment actions in social sectors was also discussed, Oualalou said.

Oualalou is visiting Algiers to lead the Moroccan delegation to the 26th annual meeting of the governing board of the Islamic Development Bank (IDB), whose proceedings start this Tuesday in Algiers.

A preparatory meeting to finalize the agenda of the IDB annual session was held here over the weekend. It discussed aid for non-member Islamic countries, expansion of cooperation among the bank member states, namely upgrading economic and tourism transactions and the finance of modern universities in the regional states. Ivory coast is expected to join the council of governors, during the scheduled session, bringing the number of members to 54.