World Bank Group Executive Directors Reaffirm Commitment to Supporting Morocco’s Development Priorities

A delegation of World Bank Group Executive Directors concluded a five-day visit to Morocco and expressed strong support for the country’s sustainable development priorities.

The delegation met with the Head of Government Mr. Aziz Akhannouch; Minister of Economy and Finance Ms. Nadia Fettah Alaoui; Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development Ms. Leila Ben Ali; Minister of National Education, Preschool and Sport Mr. Chakib Benmoussa; and the Minister of Tourism Handicrafts and Social and Solidarity Economy, Ms. Fatim-Zahra Ammor.

During their visit, the Executive Directors attended a signing ceremony for two new World Bank programs: the Resilient and Sustainable Water in Agriculture program (RESWAG), which aims to enhance governance of water in agriculture, improve the quality of irrigation services and support modern irrigation systems for farms; and the Blue Economy Program for Results, which supports the government’s new blue economy program.

The visit was an opportunity to appreciate the results and impact of the work of the World Bank Group on the ground. The delegation also engaged with project beneficiaries, development partners, youth leaders, civil society and representatives from the private sector, along with World Bank Group country office staff. The group also discussed key development priorities with senior fellows and experts from the Policy Center for the New South, a Moroccan think tank.

In Tangier, the delegation visited the Tanger-Med industrial port complex that is ranked as the first port in Africa and in Mediterranean Sea. The delegation also visited an industrial zone which is transforming into a green zone with the World Bank Group support. During a visit to Fez, the group met regional and municipal leaders and discussed ambitious development plans for the region.

“We are pleased to support the government in its development reforms and priorities which are geared towards inclusive growth, including job creation, youth inclusion, and human capital,” said Ms. Adriana Kugler, the World Bank Executive Director representing the United States and spokesperson of the group. “During our field visit, we witnessed firsthand the results of World Bank Group-supported projects that are creating new opportunities for Moroccans while also supporting the transition to a green economy. We look forward to the World Bank and IMF Annual Meetings in 2023 in Marrakesh and are fully committed to the Moroccan government’s sustainable growth agenda,” she added.

World Bank Group Board of Directors:

The Board of Directors is chaired by the President of the World Bank Group and comprises 25 Executive Directors who represent 189 member countries of the World Bank. The Board has an oversight role and Directors work together to approve policies and projects that reflect the collective views and priorities of its member countries. They are also an institutional accountability body that ensures World Bank Group management delivers the highest quality development support to the Bank’s clients.

Visiting Board Officials:

The delegation of the Executive Directors, representing 69 of the 189 member countries, included:

Mr. Abdelhak Bedjaoui (Executive Director); Mr. Abdulmuhsen Alkhalaf (Executive Director); Mr. Merza Hasan (Executive Director); Ms. Adriana Kugler (Executive Director); Mr. Armando Manuel (Executive Director); Ms. Katarzyna Zajdel-Kurowska (Executive Director); Mr. Abdoul Salam Bello (Alternate Executive Director); Mr. Miguel Coelho (Alternate Executive Director); Ms. Cecilia Nahon (Alternate Executive Director).