Morocco’s Upper House Adopts Bill to Create High Atlas Development Agency

Morocco’s House of Councilors on Tuesday adopted by majority Bill n° 57.23 relating to the approval of decree-law n° 2.23.870 establishing the creation of the High Atlas Development Agency.    Presenting this bill, minister delegate for Relations with Parliament and government spokesman, Mustapha Baitas, said this legislative text is implemented in application of the High Instructions of HM the King Mohammed VI on the reconstruction and rehabilitation of disaster-affected areas following the Al Haouz earthquake.    The minister noted that this bill allows for the development of a multi-sector integrated program spanning five years (2024-2028), with an overall budget of 120 billion Dirhams, presented before HM King Mohammed VI, during a working session held on September 20, pointing out that the first version of this program covers the six provinces and prefectures affected by the earthquake (Marrakech, Al Haouz, Taroudant, Chichaoua, Azilal and Ouarzazate), whose population is estimated at 4 .2 million inhabitants.    To immediately deal with natural disasters, Baitas said that this program provides for the creation, in each region, of a large platform of essential reserves, including blankets, beds, tents, medicines and foodstuffs, in accordance with High Royal Instructions.    In order to achieve the expected objective, the minister noted that the project includes a set of provisions relating to the definition of the missions and prerogatives assigned to the Agency, in particular carrying out all the projects and components of the program, including the reconstruction and rehabilitation of affected areas, taking into consideration the environmental dimension and ensuring respect for the unique heritage, traditions and lifestyles of the local population and seismic construction standards, as well as the implementation of socio-economic development projects in the regions targeted by this program.