13,000 Moroccan villages get electricity within five years

Energy and Mining Minister Youssef Tahiri announced in Casablanca Monday that 13,000 villages will get electricity in the five coming years.

Tahiri made the annoucement in debates held in Casablanca on the energy sector at the initiative of the economic weekly "La Vie Economique."

Stressing the importance of the national electrification program, a key factor in economic growth, he said $3.8 million investment is provided in the five- year development plan.

The minister hailed new legislation in oil prospection, adding that $400 million will be used in the five years to upgrade the gas infrastructure.