Business climate: The new battle plan
A few days after the adoption of the implementing decree for the new Investment Charter, Aziz Akhannouch was questioned by MPs on the new projects in the field of investment promotion. The parliamentary groups, particularly those of the opposition, questioned the Head of Government on aspects that still hamper the efforts made in this area. This concerns in particular the cumbersome administrative procedures, the lack of impact of the investments compared to the budgets mobilized, the persistence of territorial disparities, and other issues. Akhannouch declared to be aware of the challenges still to be met, in particular to deal with the low return on investments. In addition to the new mechanism that has just been adopted (investment charter and its implementing decree), the Head of Government announced the preparation of a new roadmap for 2026, focusing on the improvement of the business environment. This is a “new generation of reforms that will be launched”, he said. These reforms relate in particular to the simplification of procedures, the improvement of the mobilization of land and financing, as well as the facilitation of access to public procurement.
This new reform will be articulated around several pillars which relate in particular to “the improvement of the structural conditions of the business environment, in particular via a modernization of the legal framework”. The Head of Government also emphasized the importance of digitizing the investor’s journey in this new approach. Added to this is the planned rollout of monitoring and evaluation mechanisms. This new roadmap also aims to prepare the necessary conditions for the implementation of innovation projects. The role of the National Investment Commission will also be strengthened. Since the beginning of the term in office of the current government, this commission has held 7 meetings which have enabled the approval of 84 draft agreements worth 67 billion Dirhams (USD 6.7 billion) , which have allowed for the creation of 10,250 direct jobs and 33,000 indirect jobs.
In this reform, the Regional Investment Centers (C.R.Is) will have to play a central role. The Head of Government said that a new conception of the role of the C.R.Is is being implemented. These entities will not be reporting anymore to the Interior Ministry, but will report instead directly to the Head of Government, who will delegate certain powers to the Minister Delegate in charge of Investment. In this configuration, the walis will have a coordination role. They will also have a right to review decisions in the event of rejection of an investment project.
M.A.M.
