King Mohammed VI presided over a Council of Ministers meeting at the Royal Palace in Rabat on Friday. The meeting addressed the general guidelines for the Finance Bill 2025, the approval of military-related decrees, international agreements, and the appointment of high-level officials.
During the meeting, the Minister of Economy and Finance, Nadia Fettah, provided an overview of the 2025 Finance Bill, outlining its key points amid a challenging international context marked by geopolitical tensions and escalating climate crises.
Despite the headwinds, Morocco anticipates a growth rate of 3.3% in 2024 due to ongoing economic and social reforms led by the King.
The Finance Bill is structured around four main priorities. The first priority is the strengthening of the social state, which involves the implementation of universal social protection, including the completion of direct social aid benefiting around 4 million households.
The ongoing health and educational reforms, along with the post-earthquake reconstruction efforts in Al Haouz and flood-hit rehabilitation in the southern and southeastern regions of the country, will remain a priority on the government’s agenda.
The second priority involves increasing investment and job creation. The government plans to encourage private investment through the Investment Charter while also improving the business environment.
The bill will also provide ongoing support for major projects, including the Generation Green strategy, green hydrogen initiatives and the transition to clean energy.
In addition, the bill includes a roadmap for job creation, targeting sectors with high employment potential and supporting small and medium enterprises.
The third priority involves implementing structural reforms. Key reforms in the judicial system will continue, including the expansion of family courts and the modernization of judicial administration.
The government will also advance regionalization and reform public institutions, as well as implement the state’s strategic shareholder policy.
The fourth priority is ensuring public finance sustainability. The government will take necessary measures to restore financial balance, reduce budget deficits, and prepare for potential economic risks and crises. The goal is to achieve a growth rate of 4.6% in 2025, with an inflation rate limited to 2%.
In addition to approving the Finance Bill guidelines, the Council of Ministers approved seven military-related decrees. The decrees include modifications to the application of special statutes for Auxiliary Forces, Civil Protection personnel, and military personnel within the Royal Armed Forces (FAR). The reforms seek to improve the salaries and conditions for these forces in line with increases granted to civil servants.
The Council also adopted 19 international agreements, which consist of 16 bilateral and 3 multilateral conventions. The bilateral agreements cover topics such as reciprocal investment promotion, judicial cooperation, maritime fishing, tourism, and customs mutual administrative assistance. 13 of the agreements involve collaboration with six African countries as part of joint commissions held in Dakhla.
The multilateral agreements focus on the establishment of the permanent headquarters for the Pan-African Institute for Development in Dakhla and the conservation of marine biodiversity under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
Following the Council meeting, King Mohammed VI appointed several Walis and Governors to enhance local governance and administration.
Notable appointments included Mouaad Jamai as Governor of the Fes-Meknes region and Mayor of the prefecture of Fes, and Khatib El Hebil as Governor of the Oriental region and Mayor of Oujda-Angad.
In total, 27 new officials were named, enhancing the administrative structure across the country.
As part of diplomatic appointments, on the proposal of the head of government, Aziz Akhannouch, and the initiative of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccans Residing Abroad, Nasser Bourita, the monarch appointed several ambassadors to represent Morocco across the world. The appointments include:
– Othman El Ferdaous, Ambassador to the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire;
– Abdelkader El Jamoussi, Ambassador to the Republic of Cameroon;
– Mustapha El Alami Fellousse, Ambassador to the Central African Republic;
– Najoua El Berrak, Ambassador to the Republic of Congo;
– Mohammed Iboumraten, Ambassador to the Republic of Niger;
– Ahmed Rida Chami, Ambassador to the European Union;
– Fatiha Ayadi, Ambassador to Denmark;
– Omar Amghar, Ambassador to the Republic of Serbia;
– Redouane Adghoghi, Ambassador to the Republic of Bulgaria;
– Majid Halim, Ambassador to Malaysia;
– Redouane Houssaini, Ambassador to the Republic of Indonesia;
– Boutaina El Kerdoudi, Ambassador to the Republic of Bangladesh;
– Younes Dirhoussi, Ambassador to Saint Lucia.