Rapid Transition To New Development Model, Pressing Need to Keep Pace with Societal Transformations (Official)

Speaking at a press conference on the presentation of the report on the NMD, Benmoussa explained that this transition will be a milestone that will allow Morocco to overcome the risks associated with the decline in the level of development if the situation remains stable. Consequently, the new development model insists on the need to adopt new strategic choices, based on the consolidation of achievements and the adoption of a break in certain areas, whether in terms of objectives or at least in terms of working methodology, which requires a change in mentalities and perceptions, he said. He noted that these choices touch on four points, namely the acceleration of the structural transformation of the national economy for the benefit of productive sectors that generate wealth and quality jobs that can provide resources to finance priority social sectors. For this, Benmoussa said that we must create an environment that spurs business and secures the interests of investors, in addition to improving the competitiveness of the national economy by reducing the costs of production factors, in particular those related to energy and logistics through fundamental reforms of the sectors concerned, in addition to directing investments towards promising productive sectors through the establishment of an appropriate incentive framework and wider and easier access of businesses to financing opportunities, especially for small businesses. Efforts should also be made to increase the capacity of the national economy to withstand crises, especially those of a systemic nature, such as the Coronavirus epidemic, which is likely to remain in the future, said Benmoussa, who underlined the imperative for certain balanced economic sectors such as agriculture, to include issues related to food sovereignty and sustainability among its priorities, as well as in sectors such as tourism, which calls for anticipating transformations which will be set by domestic and global demand. Benmoussa added that the second point consists of building the capacities of the human capital as a central point of development, with a view to making it a lever allowing Morocco to rise to the rank of developed countries. This is why, according to the President of the Committee, the new development model focuses on upgrading the health and education sectors by improving the quality of services in these two public sectors and by bringing them to the service of all citizens throughout the Kingdom and in partnership with the private sector, which must play its role with responsibility and integrity, depending on the nature of these two vital sectors. He added that the main objective is to achieve an efficient and effective health system capable of producing essential drugs and vaccines, in order to anticipate the management of risks related to recurrent health crises, as well as an education and training system that prepares the holders of competences for the Morocco of tomorrow, as part of an educational renaissance that places the student at the center of its priorities and ensures the overall mobilization of the teaching staff within responsible educational institutions. As for the third point, Benmoussa said that it consists of offering opportunities for inclusion for all, by strengthening the social link and guaranteeing opportunities of participation for all Moroccans, adding that, to this end, the new model focuses on strengthening women's participation, and integrating young people and developing their personal capacity.

Regarding the fourth point, it consists of making local authorities more sustainable and capable of facing the multiple challenges and of working to strengthen their integration into their regional environment, knowing that they constitute the most appropriate place for the consolidation of the development process.

In this context, the Committee's report underlined the need to accelerate the process of devolution, to reconsider the administrative organization at the territorial level, to establish the rules of governance in the urban planning sector, and to adopt effective policies to upgrade and protect natural resources, in addition to the need to improve the living conditions of the population through housing offers that meet quality standards and offer accessible local services.