Rabat –
The Inter-ministerial Commission for investments approved, during the period from November 2007 to October 2011, some 291 investment projects with a total cost of 241 billion dirhams, marking then a “very positive” report, said Tuesday in Rabat Moroccan Prime Minister Abbas El Fassi.
El Fassi, who chaired the 11th meeting of the commission, said that these projects would create 115,000 direct jobs and around 300,000 indirect, raising a predominance of national projects with 76%.
These projects focus on infrastructure (45%), industry (30%), energy (13%) and tourism (8%), he said, adding that the region of Doukkala-Abda has taken over 27% of these projects.
This meeting was devoted to examine 47 projects with investment worth over 52 billion dirhams, which will create 5,400 permanent and direct jobs, said El Fassi.
He noted that these investments, which would be carried out in various Moroccan regions, include infrastructure, tourism, energy and industry, adding that Moroccan investors carry out 82% of these projects.
During the period from November 2007 to March 2011, the Commission considered 244 projects (189 billion dirhams), which would create more than 114,000 direct jobs, he noted.
“This reflects the very positive efforts made by Morocco to boost investment despite the constraints imposed by the international situation, as the soaring oil commodity and prices and the global economic downturn,” he said.
To cope with the crisis and preserve the volume of investment, the government passed a three-dimensional strategy based on anticipation, immediate intervention and the strategic dimension, said the Prime Minister.
The government also adopted structural measures, including the launch of sectoral strategies to reduce the dependence of the national economy and make Morocco a platform for investment and export, he added.
He noted that these measures have contributed to increase foreign direct investment by 29% in 2010 – that is 32.3 billion dirhams.
Thanks to these reforms, Morocco will strengthen good governance that will promote investment, he said.
