The European Commission (EC) has given its approval for €140.79 million of development spending for Morocco, Egypt and Jordan. Operations will be carried out under the Meda Program's 2003 National Financing Plans.
Morocco will receive €71.8 million to fund sustainable and balanced economic development in the north of the country and reduce environmental damage. Some €42 million will be allocated to the Rocade Méditerranéenne project for the construction of a 550 kilometer highway from Tanger to the Algerian border. Another seven million euros will be directed to a program for sanitation in the city of Oujda, which will improve the quality of water resources in the area and help to prevent flooding and urban pollution.
A sum of €4.7 million will be invested in the ONEP IV environmental project to minimize the impact of seven major water treatment plants in the northern and central areas of the Arab state. Two projects designed to clean up the Mohammedia power station and one for urban drainage will get nine million euros each.
Cooperation with Egypt focuses on protecting the environment and the lifestyle of traditional Bedouin communities, and on improving the socio-economic balance with a sum of €64 million. In keeping with those aims the Commission will be financing a regional development program for South Sinai to improve the local environment and living standards.
Finally, the Commission is financing the five million euro Al-Meyah project to support water resource management in Jordan. The money will be used to support the Jordanian authorities' efforts towards modern, efficient and profitable management of water resources. The project also aims to reform the industry by encouraging the long-term participation of the private sector. — (menareport.com)
© 2004 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
