Rabat, 24/11/2008 (Agence Europe) - On Friday 21 November 2008, Morocco and the EU signed an agreement for funding improvements to public administration and governance in Morocco. The agreement focuses on granting direct donations to the state budget to the tune of 817 million dirham (almost €83 million) and was signed by the European Commission representative and Moroccan department of the economy and finance. The agreement also contains institutional and technical support.
This aid comes on top of a previous programme set up in 2004 with an envelope of 837 million dirham. According to the EU delegation in Rabat, the funding confirms “the EU's multiannual commitment to supporting public administration reform in Morocco” (PARAP). This new programme will also help “improve budgetary and human resource management in local government and subsequently improve services for citizens”. (F.B./transl.rh)