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Rabat :
Hafida Sahraoui (212-37) 63 60 50
hsahraoui@worldbank.org Rabat, January 26, 2009 –“Morocco is making significant progress in increasing growth and fighting poverty despite the difficult global financial context. We are encouraged by the Government’s commitment to the reform agenda and fully support their efforts to overcome Morocco’s development challenges,”said World Bank Managing Director Juan Jose Daboub. Dr. Daboub has just completed a four day visit to Morocco. He emphasized the importance of the ongoing economic and social development program, and commended the Government for the significant progress made in the past decade towards macroeconomic stability, economic liberalization, and human development. “Countries like Morocco, with a strategic vision and a strong commitment to reform, are better prepared to weather the current financial downturn. We would like to share Morocco’s experience with other countries,” he added. Dr. Daboub encouraged the Government to continue its wide-ranging development program, and anchor the Moroccan economy more firmly on regional integration and international trade with the Maghreb, Europe and beyond. During his visit, Dr. Daboub met with Government officials and members of the business community, civil society, and other development partners. He also had an opportunity to see Morocco’s progress in poverty reduction on the ground through visits to projects implemented under the National Initiative for Human Development (INDH) in the Taroudant region. The World Bank and several other donors are supporting the INDH financially and technically. “Under the leadership of his Majesty Mohammed VI, Morocco has embarked on a solid program of human development and poverty reduction. The National Human Development Initiative is demonstrating how a community-driven, multi-sectoral approach to poverty reduction can provide opportunities for people to take destiny into their own hands”, said Dr. Daboub. He was also pleased to visit the world’s first irrigation project financed by a public private partnership, with support from the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the World Bank. “This is an excellent example of a partnership between the public and private sectors. At a time when the world is facing a financial crisis, the El Guerdane irrigation project shows that when there is a will there is a way to advance development,” he added. In his meeting with the Prime Minister, Mr. Abbas El Fassi, Dr. Daboub discussed the ongoing reform efforts in the fields of justice, education, agriculture, industry, energy, and water. The meeting with the Prime Minister was also an opportunity to review the quality of the dialogue and partnership between Morocco and the World Bank, which dates back to the early 1960s and has greatly expanded in the last 10 years. Dr. Daboub also met with several members of the cabinet and discussed the World Bank Group’s partnership program in different sectors. In his meeting with the Minister of Economy and Finance, Mr. Salheddin Mezouar and Governor of the Central Bank (Bank Al-Maghrib), Mr. Abdellatif Jouahri, Dr. Daboub discussed the global financial crisis and potential impact on the Moroccon economy. “Thanks to strengthened macroeconomic policies, improved banking supervision, and low foreign exposure, Morocco’s financial system remains resilient to external shocks. We encourage the authorities to continue the prudent measures they have been carrying out successfuly,” he said. Meetings with several private sector leaders allowed Dr. Daboub to deepen his understanding of the role of the private sector in Morocco, and the many opportunities and challenges it faces in today’s environment. The meeting with civil society representatives allowed Dr. Daboub a greater appreciation of the dynamic and critical role that civil society plays in Morocco. "Morocco is forging ahead decisively with strengthened institutions, ready to respond to the current and upcoming development challenges,” said Francoise Clottes, Country Manager for Morocco, who accompanied Dr. Daboub during his visit. “The World Bank Group, including the IFC, is committed to continuing our partnership with Morocco through our new Country Partnership Strategy for 2009-2013 and to make available, in addition to financial resources, knowledge, international experiences and best practices to the benefit of the whole country”, she added.
leadership
Dr. Daboub is the managing director responsible for the World Bank’s operations in 74 countries (in Latin America and the Caribbean, East Asia and the Pacific, and the Middle East and North Africa). Before joining the Bank in 2006, he served concurrently as El Salvador’s Minister of Finance and Chief of Staff to the President. He also oversaw the reconstruction of El Salvador after two earthquakes in 2001.
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