World Bank loans Morocco USD 250Mn to reform administration, better electricity supply

The World Bank has granted Morocco two loans amounting to USD 250Mn to support the government's public administration reform, and help the state electricity company (ONE) improve its performance.

   The program is also geared towards reinforcing the decentralization required for setting up proximity management of the state affairs.

   The second loan of USD 150Mn is aimed to fund a support project by ONE to reinforce the transport and distribution infrastructure of electricity in order to provide uninterrupted and high-quality electricity supply.

   ONE is planning mainly to construct 392 km of 400kgw lines and 76 km of 225kgw lines, create and expand three source posts, and promote the use of low energy light bulbs.

   A loan agreement amounting to USD 323,480 of the institutional development fund was also concluded on the occasion.

   Speaking to reporters, Minister of Energy, Mines, Water and the Environment, Amina Benkhadra said the WB is "an extremely important partner in the reforms spearheaded in Morocco."

   The representative of the world bank in Morocco, Françoise Clottes hailed the “very good example” of partnership with the north African kingdom.

   Morocco has lived up to sustained growth in the past five years, which requires the State to adapt, in its daily management, to the numerous applications on the needs for infrastructures, she said.

MAP