Morocco has launched itself on a path towards democratic participation in governance. It’s measured pace of evolution is emblematic of a liberalizing nation committed to meeting the needs of its people while recognizing the value of stability in this corner of an unstable region. This year, the U.S. and Moroccan Governments begin their sixth decade as development partners with the mutual goal of building a democratic, well-governed, and economically sound Morocco.

Morocco Prepares for New Trade Opportunities

USAID’s economic program assists Morocco in successfully responding to the challenges and opportunities of the more liberalized trading environment that will be brought about by the free trade agreement with the United States, the association agreement with the European Union, other free trade agreements, the World Trade Organization Doha Development Round, and Morocco’s own reform efforts.

The U.S.-Morocco Free Trade Agreement, which went into effect in 2006, should boost trade and investment. However, Moroccan farmers may face stiff competition in crops such as wheat and oil seeds when agricultural tariffs are lowered. To make up for the lost income, USAID works with farmers to shift to crops with higher values and develop jobs in other industries like textiles and apparel. USAID assists export-ready businesses to successfully enter the U.S. market. To improve the business climate, allowing Moroccan private enterprise to take advantages of the new trade opportunities, USAID will help reduce red tape and make it easier for small businesses to get loans. USAID assistance has also helped to reduce the number of days needed to register a business from 60 to 11.

Programs Improve Education for Employment

Completion of primary school is 72 percent for girls and 79 percent for boys. However, those percentages plummet to 23 percent for boys and 22 percent for girls at the secondary level. Another challenge is illiteracy. Rates remain high, particularly for women. While 35 percent of men are illiterate, illiteracy rates for women average 60 percent, with up to 80 percent illiteracy among rural women.

USAID’s goal is to improve training opportunities for Moroccan youth and increase access to quality and relevant basic education (grades 1 to 9). USAID uses two approaches to achieve this: the “school-to-work” approach, which aims at creating close connections between training and employment at various post-middle school levels; and, the basic education approach, which aims at improving retention rates and equipping ninth graders with portable and adaptable skills upon middle school graduation.

For young Moroccans closer to the job market, USAID focuses on training, especially in information technology, and building job connections to prepare youth for the workforce. This includes training in agriculture and tourism for students in technical institutes. USAID also works with local communities and businesses to improve the quality and content of basic education, strengthen school administration, and keep girls in school.

Government Improves Response to Citizens' Needs

Since the early 1990s, Morocco has made steady, significant, and substantial progress in extending and implementing democratization and good governance reforms. In recent years, Morocco has witnessed a rejuvenation of its political parties and parliament and has focused considerable attention to empower local level actors through increased devolution of authority and decentralization of decision-making.

The quick pace of reforms and the emergence of new actors at various levels present strong opportunities for national and sub-national elected bodies to advance their democratic and good governance functions. The USAID program strives to support this progress by promoting a transparent system of governance that encourages public debate, supporting projects to improve leadership within municipal structures, and developing partnerships between citizens and government to deliver tangible results, especially at the local level.