Speaker of House of Representatives Meets World Bank Director for the Maghreb and Malta

Speaker of the House of Representatives Mr. Habib El Malki held talks, Tuesday, January 14^th at the House of Representatives, with World Bank Director for the Maghreb and Malta Mr. Jesko Hentschel.

On this occasion, Mr. El Malki lauded the outcome of cooperation between the House of Representatives and the World Bank, commending the Bank’s reports on the economic situation of countries. He also noted that Morocco, despite the significant economic reforms implemented, is still keen to diversify its economy and develop its industry to limit the effects of precipitation on agriculture, and on the gross national product in general.

Speaker of the House of Representatives also expressed the House’s keenness to pursue cooperation with the World Bank, both in supporting the activities of the parliamentary committees or in supporting the House in exercising its powers. In this respect, Mr. El Malki confirmed that the 2011 Constitution conferred considerable powers to the House and extended its competences, especially regarding government control.

For his part, Mr. Jesko Hentschel asserted that the World Bank considers parliaments an essential partner in development programmes, adding that the organization “seeks to establish close cooperation ties with the House of Representatives as it is a fundamental pillar in democracy in the Kingdom of Morocco.” He also expressed the World Bank’s readiness to provide the House of Representatives with expertise and advice and to assist the House in reforms.

The two parties agreed on preparing a roadmap for the collective projects they will be carrying out in the future.