Less than 23 % Internet users in Morocco, minister

    Calling this situation "alarming" and the strategic basis of the country "very fragile", the minister announced that his department has devised a priority plan of action in the short term (2008-2009) aimed at promoting Morocco's competitiveness in the field of ICT. It aims to raise the number of Internet users to 32%, the number of people with a computer to 4.6% and the number of schools equipped with ICT threefold. As to companies using e-commerce, it is hoped that their number will reach 50%.

    The plan is designed to place the north African country, "which ranks in a lower position" in this area, in a better position at the international level and bridge the digital divide between it and its main rivals.

    Mr. Chami noted that the plan, to be launched in July, is to be carried out within the framework of a public/private partnership, the goal being to strengthen ties with private groups both Moroccan and international. As part of the plan, a National Information Society Commission will be created and will headed by the Prime Minister. Another commission for coordinating the information society, led by the Minister of Industry, Trade and New Technologies will also be set up along with six commissions and taskforces.

    The minister said the government is devising a strategic plan for the period 2009-2014, aimed at placing Morocco among the information society. The minister insisted that there is a strong correlation between investment in ICT and the economic growth. At the international level, he said, investments in ICT stand at 2.5% of GDP, which rate should rise to 2.8% in 2011.

    These investments, he went on, generate returns for over one million of companies specialized in marketing hardware and software and delivering services, employing 35.2 million people.

MAP