Morocco’s New Development Model Presented to King Mohammed VI

Rabat – The Chairman of Morocco’s Special Commission for the Development Model (CSMD), Chakib Benmoussa, has finally presented the long-awaited general report on the Moroccan new development model.

Benmoussa presented the multi-faceted, all-encompassing development roadmap to King Mohammed VI at the Royal Palace of Fez on Tuesday, May 25. “The renovation of the development model constitutes a new stage in the consolidation of the social project,” states a press release from the Royal Office. 

The new model for human-centered approach to development has been in development for over a year now; it was originally announced in the 2019 Throne Day speech. The new development model will be considering serious reforms in education, health, agriculture, investment, as well as taxation.

In June 2020, King Mohammed VI agreed to extend the deadline for the CSMD report’s delivery by an additional six months; many observers have linked the delay to the special context of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Despite the obstacles that came with the pandemic, the commission was able to explore unprecedented challenges and seek new solutions along with a number of strategic pillars for Morocco’s new development roadmap for the coming years. The pandemic encouraged the commission to reassess areas such as the health care sector, agriculture and food security, energy, as well as industrial development and the tourism sector. 

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After receiving the new report, the Moroccan king congratulated the commission for “its full respect of the participatory approach” in the study for the development plan. 

In assessing Morocco’s current socio-economic and making projections to put the country on a better path, the commission gathered ideas and policy propositions from the general population, political parties, businesses and social organizations, as well as NGOs and local think-tanks. 

The new development model is “the result of a broad participatory process of listening, debate and collective intelligence,” reads the statement. At the King’s request, the CSMD is expected to publish the development report and carry out a vast educational operation to explain the new guidelines to both the general public and various development stakeholders and partners.

Ultimately, the new “National Pact for Development” should be enacted in a “constructive and consensual spirit,” in a way it can serve as a framework for “ all living forces in their diversity,” emphasizes the statement. 

Some of Morocco’s most senior officials were present at the Fez royal palace when the CSMD’s president presented the report to the King. Among them were Morocco’s Head of Government Saad Dine El Othmani, the presidents of the houses of representatives and councilors, Habib El Malki and Hakim Benchamach respectively, as well as the King’s advisors, Omar Azzimane and Fouad Ali El Himma.