Morocco-OCDE partnership: Finance minister Nadia Fettah hails strategic progress

Morocco’s Finance and Economy Minister, Nadia Fettah, described the strategic partnership between Morocco and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) as “positive” during a high-level panel in Rabat on Wednesday.

The event marked the conclusion of the second phase of the Morocco-OECD Country Programme, which aims to align Morocco with global best practices.

Speaking at the panel, Fettah highlighted that the partnership has provided a critical and comparative assessment of Morocco’s performance, reinforcing the country’s commitment to ambitious reforms and strengthened international cooperation with the OECD.

Fettah underscored the importance of ongoing economic and social reforms, noting the establishment of a regular economic evaluation framework that enables Morocco to benchmark itself against OECD standards.

She emphasized that budgetary reforms and public investments are crucial for supporting economic growth and employment.

Ahmed Reda Chami, President of the Economic, Social and Environmental Council (CESE), also spoke at the event, stressing the need for a deep national dialogue to identify stereotypes and cultural barriers that hinder women’s economic activity.

He advocated for the development of proven mechanisms, such as professional training programs and enhanced competitiveness, to create a more favorable and inclusive economic environment in Morocco.

Lamia Kamal-Chaoui, Director of the OECD Centre for Entrepreneurship, SMEs, Regions, and Cities, highlighted the importance of employment and productivity as key drivers of economic growth.

“It is important to have a coherent and integrated approach to regional and sectoral policies to maximize the efficiency of public investment,” she stated.

Khalid Safir, Director-General of the Caisse de Dépôt et de Gestion (CDG), reiterated the role of the CDG in supporting sectoral and territorial public policies.

He positioned the CDG as a key player in planning and implementing infrastructure projects, particularly in the realm of digital transformation.

Safir emphasized the CDG’s commitment to supporting Morocco’s digitalization policies through the financing of startups and the development of digital infrastructures, such as information highways.

On this front, Sebastian Barnes, Head of Division in the OECD’s Economics Department, highlighted the cross-cutting nature of the OECD’s economic study on Morocco, which combines macroeconomic analysis with an assessment of ongoing structural reforms.

“The study not only evaluates progress but also communicates the positive momentum of Moroccan reforms on an international stage,” Barnes said.

Conducted by the OECD’s Morocco Economic Desk since February 20, 2023, the study analyzes Morocco’s economic performance in the face of global and domestic challenges, offering growth perspectives and strategic recommendations.

This strategic partnership, according to Fettah, has bolstered Morocco’s ability to align with international standards, paving the way for deeper integration into the global economy and setting the stage for sustainable development and inclusive growth.