Morocco Shows Resilience amid Fluctuating Circumstances, Says Budget Minister

Morocco’s Minister Delegate in charge of the Budget, Fouzi Lekjaa, affirmed, on Friday at the House of Representatives, that despite global geostrategic tensions, which generate economic uncertainty, “Morocco continues to demonstrate its ability to adapt to fluctuating circumstances, thereby illustrating the resilience of its economic and social fabric.” In response to multiple interventions from MPs on the 2025 Finance Bill, Lekjaa emphasized that “the political character” of this project lies in balancing the constraints imposed by reality and the possible responses. He noted that this approach is framed by constitutional dimensions, at the heart of which is the strategic role of the High Royal Guidelines, followed by the development model and the government program. He highlighted that the High Royal Guidelines play a central role as a guarantor and protector of the general direction, regardless of emerging circumstances, while underscoring the profound transformations achieved under the reign of His Majesty King Mohammed VI. He further remarked that this is reflected in Morocco’s current standing on the international stage and the overall modernization experienced by the Kingdom, highlighting “the strength of HM the King’s vision, which serves as a reference for the Finance Bills, alongside other reference points such as the New Development Model, the government program, necessary adjustments to current internal and external transformations, and the emergence of unforeseen priorities dictated by urgent exceptional circumstances.” In its report presented on Thursday to the House of Representatives during a plenary session dedicated to examining and voting on the first part of the 2025 Finance Bill, the Finance and Economic Development Committee noted differences among deputies during the discussions on the project. These debates revealed contrasting opinions regarding the assumptions underlying the project and the economic growth forecasts. While some MPs considered these assumptions “realistic and suited to the context,” others deemed them “overly optimistic and unrealistic.” In this context, the report noted that some deputies expressed satisfaction with the government’s approach accompanying this draft law, particularly its coherence and continuity with the government’s achievements during the first half of its mandate, as well as its vigilance and prudence in addressing challenges, transforming them into real opportunities for inclusive development. On the other hand, other MPs felt that the project “does not meet expectations for restoring trust and does not adequately address current political and economic challenges.”