Chairperson of the Finance and Economic Development Committee Receives Delegation of the Legislative Assembly of Transition in Burkina Faso

Chairperson of the Finance and Economic Development Committee, Rep. Mohamed Chaouki, received on Tuesday, November 7, 2023, accompanied by the Clerk of the Committee, Rep. Alae-Eddine Bahraoui, a delegation of the Legislative Assembly of Transition in Burkina Faso, led by Mr. Sanou Yaya, the Deputy Chairperson of the Finance Committee, currently on a working visit to our country on November 5-11, 2023. 

During their talks, the two parties discussed the means for cooperation and exchanging experiences and expertise. The meeting was also an opportunity to explore the experience of the Finance and Economic Development Committee of the House of Representatives with regard to the examination of finance bills and other laws linked to finance, in addition to the financial control it exercises. 

At the onset of the meeting, the two parties observed a minute of silence in honor of the victims of the earthquake that struck Marrakesh and Al-Haouz. Following that, the Chairperson of the Finance and Economic Development Committee welcomed the delegation of Burkina Faso, wishing them a joyful stay in their second country. The delegation later raised questions on the procedures of examination and vote on finance bills, in addition to the Moroccan parliamentary experience in financial legislation, control, and evaluation of public policies. 

In his response to the questions of the Burkinabe delegation, Rep. Mohamed Chaouki gave a detailed presentation of the experience of the Moroccan Parliament in examining finance bills since the first Constitution in 1963 until its latest amendment in 2011. In this respect, he noted that parliamentary action witnesses a major development, particularly in the discussion and examination of finance bills, which enable the Finance and Economic Development Committee of the House of Representatives to examine the means through which the Government plans to implement its program. 

In the same regard, he underscored the legislative procedure of examination of finance bills, which starts with their referral by October 20 of each year to the legislative institution, followed by the presentation of the Minister of Finance before the two Houses of Parliament in a joint sitting, and a technical presentation before the Finance and Economic Development Committee of the House of Representatives. The presentation is later followed by general and in-depth discussions, and the Parliamentary Groups and Caucus of Majority and Opposition are granted time to draft the amendments they propose to the bill before the final vote on the amendments and the first part of the bill that covers revenues, followed by the vote on the second part that covers expenses. The whole procedure shall be conducted under strict respect of the provisions of the Constitution, the Organic Law on the Finance Act, and the Rules of Procedure of the House of Representatives. 

During the same meeting, the Chairperson of the Finance and Economic Development Committee gave an overview of the control prerogatives entrusted to the Committee. In this respect, he noted that it controls the sectors falling under its competence through holding meetings that cover themes linked to Government control at the request of the Parliamentary Groups and Caucus of the House of Representatives. 

Besides, Rep. Chaouki stressed the importance of solidifying the means of cooperation between the two legislative institutions of the Kingdom of Morocco and Burkina Faso, and exchanging expertise in examining finance bills, budget auditing, and debt management. 

For his part, the head of the Burkinabe parliamentary delegation thanked the Chairperson of the Finance and Economic Development Committee for the warm welcome and extensive response to the questions of the Burkinabe parliamentary delegation.