Regional Reform: Draft Law Heads to Plenary Session Today

Less than two weeks after its presentation, the draft law relating to regional reform was approved last Friday by members of the Interior Committee of the House of Representatives of Morocco. The text could be scheduled today for approval during a plenary session, following oral questions, before being transferred to the House of Councillors of Morocco.
With the accelerated pace imposed by Abdelouafi Laftit, the draft law is expected to be presented as early as Tuesday before the Interior Committee of the House of Councillors. In that case, the meeting would take place after the plenary session devoted to oral questions. This rapid timetable is also explained by the obligation to submit the organic law to the Constitutional Court of Morocco.
Meanwhile, members of the Interior Committee reviewed last Friday the 68 amendments submitted by parliamentary groups. One of the provisions provides for the transformation of the Regional Project Implementation Agency into a joint-stock company under the name “Regional Project Implementation Company.”
The minister also accepted an amendment stipulating that the company’s headquarters be located in the regional capital, with the possibility of establishing branches in the region’s various provinces.
The timeframe for drafting Regional Development Programs (PDRs) was also discussed. The minister rejected a proposal to shorten the preparation period for PDRs to one year instead of eighteen months.

Planning

The purpose of extending this period is to ensure completion of all essential stages required for sound regional planning, notably carrying out an accurate participatory territorial diagnosis and ensuring effective coordination with the various institutional and economic stakeholders. This also includes defining realistic strategic choices, designing feasible projects and subsequently submitting them to the approval process under conditions guaranteeing quality and efficiency. The scope of intervention of these companies has also been expanded to include the implementation of projects on behalf of the State and other territorial authorities within a contractual framework. According to the minister, this strengthens the principle of convergence and enhances efficiency in the use of public resources.
As a reminder, the draft law proposes strengthening the financial resources of the regions through a significant increase in financial transfers allocated to them. These territorial authorities will now receive 12 billion dirhams annually instead of the previous 10 billion, starting from the 2027 budget year. The objective is to enable them to finance structuring projects and strengthen their capacity to achieve balanced territorial development.
M.C.