Zidan: 250 Investment Projects Worth 414 Billion Dirhams and the Creation of 179,000 Jobs
Follow-Up
Khalid Zidan, the Minister Delegate for Investment, Convergence, and Public Policy Evaluation, announced that the government approved 250 investment projects during nine sessions of the National Investment Committee, with a total value of 414 billion dirhams, enabling the creation of 179,000 direct job opportunities.
During a session of oral questions at the House of Councillors, Zidan clarified that Casablanca-Settat topped the regional distribution of projects with 72 projects, followed by the Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima region with 53 projects, then Rabat-Salé-Kénitra with 30 projects, and Marrakech-Safi with 21 projects.
Additionally, 16 projects were approved in the Souss-Massa region, 10 in the Fez-Meknes region, 9 in the Eastern region, 7 in Laâyoune-Sakia El Hamra, 6 in Beni Mellal-Khénifra, and 5 in Dakhla-Oued Ed Dahab, along with 4 projects in both Guelmim-Oued Noun and Drâa-Tafilalet, as well as 13 multi-regional projects.
The minister pointed out that a project to support small and medium-sized enterprises has been launched from the city of Rachidia, emphasizing that the government will organize regional campaigns to highlight the potential of each province to attract local and foreign investors.
Zidan noted that regional disparities in investment still persist, urging for a concerted effort between central and regional levels to overcome them, stressing that local officials play a crucial role in enhancing the attractiveness of regions through infrastructure development.
He explained that the primary goal of investment is to create job opportunities, especially for youth, indicating that every direct job contributes to the creation of three indirect jobs, considering the current investment results to be positive in terms of improving living standards and job opportunities.
Zidan emphasized that small and medium-sized enterprises are a key driver for employment, as they create six times more jobs compared to large enterprises, asserting that the government only supports projects that provide no less than 50 job opportunities, with increased support based on the number of jobs created.
The minister concluded by affirming that encouraging investment is a shared responsibility among various stakeholders, highlighting its importance in supporting economic and social development in line with the royal vision aimed at achieving spatial justice and providing job opportunities and infrastructure.
