Activities in Morocco

1. Loan Amount and Terms

*0.01% interest rate per annum (MIRAI Initiative) is applied to consulting services.

2. Project Outline

(1) Rural Road Improvement Project

(a) Project Background and Necessity
Economic activities through Morocco's transport sector play a large role in the economic and social activity of the country, accounting for approximately 6% of the GDP, while giving rise to 10% of employment in urban areas and 15% of the national budget. With regard to land transportation in particular, 90% of intercity passenger transport and 75% of freight is conveyed by road. However, development and improvement of rural roads is somewhat lagging. With the rate of paving for provincial roads at just 46% and the rate of road access for rural populations at just 54%, the disparity between urban and rural regions is striking. Under these circumstances, the development of rural roads is becoming an urgent issue.

(b) Project Objectives and Outline
This project is based on "The Second National Program of Rural Roads (PNRR-II)" (2005) established by the Moroccan government. It aims to develop and improve rural roads in nine provinces in northern, central and inland regions (where from the viewpoint of road access rates and poverty rates (Moroccan government standards) the priority is considered to be high) in order to improve traffic access for inhabitants of roadside communities, and improve transport efficiency in rural regions. This will support improvement in the living conditions and poverty reduction for the people living in these areas, which will lead to the alleviation of regional disparities. Various results have been reported from "The First National Program of Rural Roads (PNRR-I)" (1995-2005), including increased use of medical institutions (an increase in visitors to healthcare facilities), improved elementary education enrolment rates, reduced firewood-gathering work for women, increased participation in socioeconomic activities by women, increased fruit production, increased investment in the livestock industry, increased use of fertilizers and increased income from non-agricultural business. Similar effects are therefore anticipated as a result of this project.

The proceeds of the loan will be used for the development of rural roads (regional roads, provincial roads and non-classified roads).

Project Executing Agency: Direction des Routes et de la Circulation Routière, Ministère de l'Equipement et du Transport (address: BP. 6465 Madinat Al Irfane, 10100 Rabat,@Tel: +212-3771-3378, Fax: +212-3771-3405).

(2) Rural Water Supply Project (III)

(a) Project Background and Necessity
The development of infrastructure in rural areas in Morocco is seriously lagging behind that of urban areas, and as such is seen as an important developmental task. At present, the water access rate in urban areas has reached 96%, and in rural areas too it has reached an average of 77%. However, in the mountainous regions in the north where water sources are scarce, access to roads is poor and villages are not closely situated, the water access rate is low at just 25-34%. For this reason, women and children in these regions have to work collecting water, and people are exposed to the risk of infectious diseases due to the use of untreated water. Under these circumstances, an increase in water access rates in rural areas is one of the priority tasks, and JBIC has been supporting the development of regional water supply facilities in Morocco.

(b) Project Objectives and Outline
This project is based on the "Water Supply Program for Rural Populations (PAGER)" (1995) established by the Moroccan government. It aims to develop regional water supply facilities and provide safe water in mountainous regions in the north of Morocco, where the water access rate is low and the poverty rate surpasses the average level for the country (Moroccan government standards). This will support improvement in the living conditions and poverty reduction for the people living in these areas, which will lead to the alleviation of regional disparities. Through the implementation of this project, benefits for women and children in particular in the targeted regions are anticipated. Specifically, through a lessening of their water collection work, an increase in incomes for women and an increase in the rate of school attendance by children are expected. A drop in water-related infectious diseases in regions currently using untreated water is also hoped for.

The proceeds of the loan will be used for the development of water supply facilities, consulting services (review of detailed designs, bidding assistance, works supervision, social mobilization activities for regional inhabitants etc.) and so on.

Project Executing Agency: Office National de l'Eau Potable (address: Station de traitement, Avenue Mohamed Belhassan El Ouazzani, BP. Rabat Chellah, Rabat Tel: +212-3775-9134 Fax: +212-3775-1232).