The World Bank Board of Directors discussed and approved unanimously a new Country Assistance Strategy (CAS) for the Kingdom of Morocco covering the next four years (2005-2009).
The CAS defines the development programs where the Government of Morocco, the World Bank will be working in partnership with other development actors in the country. It identifies the areas of social and economic development where the Bank’s contribution will have the best impact on poverty reduction and human development.
The new CAS covers a period of four years and endorses four strategic priorities for the country: (i) accelerating sustainable growth and job creation; (ii) improving poor and marginalized groups access to quality basic services; (iii) improving the management and efficiency of the education system; (iv) improving water resources management through encouraging water services and an efficient and sustainable use of this strategic resource.
The CAS preparation was based on a participatory approach built on large consultations with different development actors in the country. These consultations allowed a rich exchange of views and engaged participants in an open and constructive dialogue with all social and economic actors about a strategic development vision of the country.
During the Board’s meeting, Executive Directors highlighted the importance of the reforms implemented by the government as well as the progress achieved during the last decade mainly in terms of macroeconomic stability and economic liberalization. They have stressed the importance of the social development in the new CAS and praised the new Human Development Initiative launched Wednesday’s evening by His Majesty Mohamed VI.
The CAS proposes a “base case” lending program of about 300 millions US Dollars per year as the World Bank’s contribution to the Government of Morocco needs for external funding. This complements the World Bank’s technical assistance and knowledge transfer activities in Morocco.
