The Government Council, under the presidency of Aziz Akhannouch, met on Thursday January 9, 2025, to examine several legislative projects and strategic international agreements. The orientation of public finances, the reform of educational competitions and the management of maritime resources were at the heart of the discussions, aimed at strengthening the economic and diplomatic stability of Morocco.
According to the economic situation of the 2024 finance law, the budget deficit continues its downward trend, stabilizing at 4% of gross domestic product (GDP) for the year 2024, against 4.3% in 2023, as said Mustapha Baitas, government spokesperson. This improvement in the budget balance is mainly due to a substantial increase in ordinary resources, in particular tax revenues, which increased by 35.9 billion dirhams, an increase of 13.6% compared to 2023.
The minister added that this positive dynamic reflects more effective management of public finances, in particular thanks to a notable improvement in tax collection and measures aimed at broadening the tax base. The government has also strengthened efforts to improve tax collection, while aiming to increase the transparency and integrity of the Moroccan tax system.
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As for the debt rate, it has been stabilized at 69.5% of GDP for the year 2024, which demonstrates the prudent management of loans. This stability of the debt ratio allows the government to maintain significant room for maneuver to finance its infrastructure and public investment projects, while preserving the financial stability of the country.
In the education sector, the government approved draft decree No. 24-833, which will reform the legal framework for recruitment competitions in the educational field. This project aims to modernize and strengthen the teacher recruitment system, adapting it to recent developments in the Moroccan education system. The Minister of National Education, Preschool and Sports, Mohamed Saad Berrada, stressed that this reform is crucial to strengthen the quality of education, by establishing more rigorous criteria for the recruitment of teachers and responding to the challenges current state of the education system.
Another major issue discussed during the meeting was the management of maritime resources, particularly the preservation of maritime pledges of fishing vessels. Zakia Driouich, Secretary of State to the Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Water and Forests, in charge of Maritime Fisheries, presented a draft decree aimed at modifying the legislation on the preservation of maritime pledges. This project aims to clarify the responsibilities of the competent authorities and to guarantee that management and conservation operations of maritime resources respect the legal and environmental standards in force.
Finally, the Government Council took note of several major international agreements. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccans living abroad, Nasser Bourita, presented the agreements signed with the Republic of Azerbaijan in November 2023, in particular a framework agreement in the field of logistics and a other in the energy sector. The first aims to strengthen trade between the two countries by improving logistics chains and developing skills in this strategic area. The second, relating to energy, provides for exchanges of information on oil and gas, as well as cooperation in the field of renewable energies. These agreements not only strengthen bilateral ties between Morocco and Azerbaijan, but also affirm Morocco’s central role in international cooperation in the energy and logistics sectors.
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