HIBAPRESS
The Minister Delegate in charge of the Budget, Faouzi Lekjaa, confirmed that the current international circumstances cast a shadow over supply chains and various world economies, including the Moroccan economy, stressing that the government is working to reduce these repercussions and protect the purchasing power of citizens.
Lekjaa explained, during the press conference that followed the work of the government council, that the rise in energy prices is not limited only to raw materials, but also includes the costs of sea and air transport and related services, which makes the impact of these increases widespread and affects several vital sectors. The government official revealed, in numbers, that the month of March recorded a noticeable increase in energy prices, where the average price of a barrel of oil reached about $100, an increase of 44% compared to $70 before the outbreak of the crisis. The price of diesel also rose by 75%, natural gas by 54%, and fuel oil by 60%, in addition to a 21% increase in the price of coal, which are essential materials that are used in the production of electricity in Morocco. Lekjaa pointed out that these indicators reflect the real situation of energy markets at the international level, stressing that the government is following these developments carefully and continuously, given their direct impact on various economic activities.
