World Bank to sponsor cultural, development projects in Morocco
A Moroccan minister announced that the World Bank will finance some 100 cultural projects in Morocco and contribute up to $300 million in a biennial program against poverty.
Ahmed Lahlimi, minister in charge of the government's general affairs, told Saudi daily "Al-Sharq Al-Awsat" that in order to support Morocco's democratic experience and economic and political reforms, the World Bank decided to raise its annual assistance to Morocco from $300 million to $500 million.
He explained that the Kingdom has opted for a program of economic and democratic reforms meant to achieve a sound and balanced development and guarantee a safe way for its integration in globalization. He added that Morocco is working in collaboration with the World Bank and non-governmental organizations in the Middle East and North Africa regions to promote dialogue on challenges facing the region.
He added that the second Marrakesh development forum, which wound up over the weekend, is a model of this dialogue that offers experts, economic operators and decision-makers the opportunity to exchange ideas on how to avert globalization's negative impact on their economies.
In another interview with Moroccan television channel "2M," the minister said that international financial institutions, including the WB, are ready to support Morocco in its efforts to adapt its economy and upgrade its competitiveness to the requirements of globalization.
He added that these international financial institutions are ready to support the government's program and projects.
A World Bank advisor said the amount of loans granted by the World Bank to Morocco for the present fiscal year (expiring in June 1999) reaches $500 million. Ghassan Rifai said up to $250 million will be used for a structural economic program while the rest will go to infrastructure projects, mainly in telecommunications.
He added that the bank's experts who took part in the Marrakesh forum agree on the efficiency of the Moroccan government's action based on transparency and sound foundations.
The forum, sponsored by the World Bank and Moroccan non-governmental association "Maroc 2000," brought together 400 experts and officials from the region, who debated means of involving the private sector and non-governmental organizations in regional development.