Minister of Economy and Finance Salaheddine Mezouar of Morocco

Addressing a meeting of the General Confederation of Moroccan Businesses (CGEM), Mezouar supported his contention that the economy is thriving by noting the 6% year-on-year non-agricultural growth rate since 2001, the drop in unemployment from 14% to 10% and an overall increase in investment.

The situation requires a financial assistance from the international community to help the most harmed countries face the surge in global prices, Mezouar said before a meeting of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund development committee held in Washington.

Moroccan Economy and Finance Minister Salaheddine Mezouar said Morocco has advanced in three areas to help maintain the country's socio-economic growth: democracy and freedom, openness and social development.

8 percent, Finance Minister Salaheddine Mezouar said Tuesday.

Speaking at the weekly cabinet meeting on the recent developments of national economy and international environment, Mezouar said that real estate loans in Morocco are mainly fixed interest rate loans with the possibility for variable interest rate loan beneficiaries to opt for fixing these rates under regulated and predictable conditions, Communication minister and Government Spokesperson, Khalid Naciri, said In a press briefing at the end of this meeting.

Mezouar said that increased tax receipts will offset the additional costs, and that therefore the government would not need to resort to borrowing money from abroad to meet its spending plans.

Minister of Economy and Finance Salaheddine Mezouar said the government is considering a general reform including the introduction of both compulsory and optional schemes.

Moroccan Treasury Minister Salaheddine Mezouar said that the new channel shows the fundamental change undergone by Moroccan society, and its openness to the Berber language.

While presenting the draft budget, Minister of Finance and the Economy Salaheddine Mezouar said the bill is part of a new vision placing human development and the struggle against poverty and marginalisation at the heart of our efforts.

Upon submitting the draft finance law on November 7th to the House of Representatives, Mezouar said developers interested in participating in the project will benefit from a complete tax exemption.

Morocco is immune to the subprime crisis for several reasons, notably the fact that the financial sector does not hold securities or loans in financial institutions or international investment funds affected by subprimes, Economy and Finance minister, Salaheddine Mezouar said on Thursday.

Former industry minister Salaheddine Mezouar was named finance minister to replace Fathallah Oualalou and ex-deputy foreign minister Taieb Fassi Fihri became diplomacy chief, replacing Mohamed Benaissa.

Economy and Finance Minister, Salaheddine Mezouar said on Thursday that Morocco is immune to the sub-prime meltdown affecting many countries.

Addressing a cabinet meeting on the recent developments of the nation’s economy and the international environment, Mezouar said that Morocco property loans in are mainly of the fixed interest variety with the possibility for variable interest rate loan beneficiaries to opt for fixing rates under well regulated and predictable conditions.

Mezouar said Morocco, like other textile producing countries should move quickly to address problems entailed by trade liberalisation.

Finance Minister Salaheddine Mezouar has expressed a need to draw up a code of ethics so that the sector will develop at the desired pace and the interests of beneficiaries will be protected.

Over ten years we’re aiming for 90,000 to 100,000 jobs in offshoring,” Salaheddine Mezouar said on the sidelines of an economic conference in Casablanca late on Monday.

Mezouar said the development of south-south relations has become a must to bring balance to international trade and to avoid disparities in the level of growth.

Economy and Finance Minister Salaheddine Mezouar has said that almost half of the spending would finance social development schemes ranging from building new schools, bringing water and power to remote areas to subsidise new housing for the poor in city slums.