Public groups built more than 110,000 dwellings in 2003, minister

Moroccan minister of housing and urbanism, Toufiq Hjira, said some 110,000 dwellings were built by Moroccan public groups in 2003.

Speaking at the question time of the House of Advisers (parliament upper chamber), Hjira, who termed the performance as "exceptional, said public institutions were marked this year by more significant openness on the private sector.

Al Omrane holding, the set up of which was announced by premier Driss Jettou in December, will muster all public groups operating in the field to be a "strong, efficient and competitive" structure, Hjira said.

Al Omrane Holding is the fruit of the merger of three companies: The National Agency for Unhealthy Housing Fighting (ANHI), the National Company of Equipment and Construction (SNEC) and the Attacharouk Group.

Morocco has received recently the prize of best low-cost housing project and the merit prize, extended by the council of Arab housing ministers.

The low-cost housing experience of the kingdom, which eyes building 10,000 dwellings annually until 2010, is seen as pilot in the Arab states.