HIBAPRESS
The Head of Government, Aziz Akhannouch, said today, Tuesday, in the House of Councillors, that the draft finance law for the year 2026 reflects the government's commitment to enhancing integrated rural development, by accelerating the implementation of action plans for territorial projects concerning 36 model rural centers at a total cost of 2.8 billion dirhams.
The Head of Government explained, during a presentation during the monthly oral question session on general policy, which was devoted to the topic "Territorial development and the challenges of achieving spatial justice," that these centers will constitute appropriate spaces for territorial integration, where public and private investments, infrastructure, basic services, and employment opportunities intersect, within a renewed vision for rural development that aims to enhance inclusiveness and sustainability. He pointed out that the government, within the framework of territorial interaction with the high royal instructions, gave priority to activating the national program for the integrated development of emerging rural centers, by preparing a priority program concerning 77 rural centers covering the entire national territory. On the other hand, Aziz Akhannouch pointed to the significant decline recorded in multidimensional poverty at the national level, which decreased from 11.9% in 2014 to 6.8% in 2024." He said that the high directives of King Mohammed VI "have consolidated important development dynamics, and enhanced the competitiveness and accessibility of the regions in a way that makes them today a source of praise and pride for everyone." He also highlighted that the launch of the new generation of integrated development programs comes in the context of the comprehensive mobilization of the regions' potentials and the optimal guidance of priority projects, in a way that is consistent with the high royal directives, especially those contained in the recent Throne Speech, which aim to ensure the fair distribution of the fruits of growth to all regions and citizens. Aziz Akhannouch said that "villages, mountains, and oases are not just territorial areas, but rather represent a lesson from the lessons of belonging and memory, and need to be reminded of their historical roles through the gateway of development," stressing the importance of responsible national engagement in order to overcome all the challenges associated with territorial action. He noted that this development project is also based on a careful reading of the specifics of each area, allowing for the construction of a balanced territorial offer that transforms local opportunities into actual engines of development, highlighting that this approach establishes a new phase that ensures actual spatial justice and responds to the legitimate expectations of citizens.
(With MAP)
