“Opportunity” at Stake: Minister Criticizes Moroccan Banks for Refusing to Fund Youth Projects
Younes Skouri, the Minister of Economic Inclusion, Small Businesses, Employment, and Skills, revealed significant challenges facing the implementation of the “Opportunity” program, launched by the government to support youth and enable them to establish their own projects. During a session of oral questions at the House of Representatives, Skouri highlighted that several Moroccan banks are refusing to grant loans to beneficiaries of the program, despite the guarantees the state provides to secure this financing.
The minister expressed his dissatisfaction with this behavior, describing it as “unacceptable,” especially given that banking institutions do not provide clear explanations or justifications for rejecting applications. Some even require additional guarantees that exceed what is specified in the program. This occurs at a time when the state, through the “Tamweelkom” Fund, bears a significant portion of the risks associated with financing these projects.
Skouri pointed out that the primary goal of the “Opportunity” program is to facilitate youth access to the world of entrepreneurship and provide financial and administrative support to encourage them to create income-generating projects, not to turn it into a complicated experience that undermines the initiative’s essence.
The minister confirmed that the government does not intend to remain passive, emphasizing that his ministry has sent an official letter to the Ministry of Economy and Finance to convene an urgent meeting with banks to discuss and review the rejected applications on a case-by-case basis. The Ministry of Finance is expected to submit a detailed report to the House of Representatives to clarify the results of this process and ensure transparency and accountability.
In conclusion, Skouri stressed that the government is determined to overcome all administrative and financial obstacles hindering the implementation of the program, emphasizing that “Opportunity” is not merely a financial support project but a strategic initiative to create a new generation of young entrepreneurs and bolster citizens’ trust in the seriousness of public policies.
