Dei – Morocco: 7–billion-euro southern development plan expected to create 120,000 jobs

A total investment of approximately 77 billion dirham (7 billion euro) leading to the creation of 120,000 jobs – these are the numbers associated with the economic development plan for three provinces in southern Morocco (Laayoune, Dakhla and Guelmin) announced by King Mohammed VI. The 5 to 10-year plan concerns a variety of sectors and includes the involvement of the central and local governments and private interests. The plan envisages an overall 19 billion DHS in State allocations to the three regions (for 2016-2027) for local projects. The phosphates sector will be developed with the creation of the industrial hub of Phosbucraa, where investments of 17 billion DHS will lead to 1,270 new jobs. In addition to these projects, a technical training hub is to be set up at Foum el Qued; special importance is to be given to the sectors of fishing and agriculture, with the establishment of a fish-processing centre in the region of Dakhla and of a centre of agricultural excellence in the area of Boujdour; and a total of 84 ecological tourism projects are to be developed within an environmental sustainability plan. Finally, worthy of note are the public investments earmarked for the sectors of infrastructure and telecommunications.