MCA-Morocco: Strategic Orientation Council Holds 7th Session in Rabat
The Millennium Challenge Account-Morocco Strategic Orientation Council discussed at its 7th session the progress made in implementing the cooperation program, under the compact II signed between Morocco and the United States, represented by the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC).
The session, chaired by Head of the Government Saad Eddine el othmani, reviewed means to speed up the implementation of the program and discussed ways to overcome the obstacles facing the implementation of certain projects.
The session granted special attention to the “Education and training for employability” component of the program. It noted that the development of the integrated model for the refurbishment of secondary education institutions has been completed. The project benefits 90 high schools in the regions of Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceïma; Fez-Meknes; and Marrakesh-Safi. The upgrading of the infrastructure of these institutions started and the equipment necessary to improve the quality of education has been purchased.
Regarding vocational training, the session took note that architectural and technical studies are under way for the creation, extension or conversion of the vocational training centers targeted by the project.
The session noted, when discussing the employment component, that nine mediation projects in the labor market have been selected for the promotion of inclusive employment for young people and women. This project will enable to hire 3,500 beneficiaries in the private sector.
Regarding the “Industrial Real Estate” activity, it was noted that technical studies relating to three pilot industrial zones located in the Casablanca-Settat region have been completed.
Discussions also covered the “land productivity” program with focus on the “Rural Real Estate” activity, where technical and field studies are being conducted as part of the operation of Melkisation (ownership) of collective lands located in the Gharb and Haouz regions for the benefit of rightful women owners of the land.
In support to the soulaliyate lands melkisation (ownership) by women, the MCC Compact works to issue land titles for about 67,000 hectares of collective land, which will benefit about 56,000 beneficiaries in the Gharb and Al Haouz regions.
During her trip in Morocco early November, Ivanka Trump, the US President’s daughter and adviser, who was accompanied by Millennium Challenge Corporation CEO Sean Cairncross, chaired a signing ceremony of two agreements, under which over $6 million will be provided to local female Moroccan farmers.
The accords cover measures to support the melkisation operation through training in agricultural production, financial management and the fight against illiteracy.
The Millennium Challenge Corporation works inter alia to promote the empowerment of women for development and is committed to poverty reduction in rural areas.
