Morocco Announces Relaunch of Moukawalati Program
25 May 2009
Read by 1447 persons
The Moroccan government recently unveiled its new strategy for the Moukawalati program, aiming to revive the initiative's original development goals. Hafid Kamal, director of the National Agency for the Promotion of Employment and Skills (ANAPEC), presented the changes at a February 9th press conference in Casablanca. This relaunch of the eighteen-month-old program seeks to give it new momentum and better meet applicant expectations.
This program will now offer "more chances of success, especially as it is a key part of the government's proactive employment promotion policy," stated the Minister of Economic and General Affairs, Nizar Baraka.
It will be open to all those presenting projects, not just those with formal qualifications as before.
"Entrepreneurial spirit isn't dependent on diplomas," explained Mr. Kamal.
The Moukawalati program's network of service centers will expand from 115 to 183. The number of advisors will also increase, with 112 new advisors in training and additional training for 22 existing advisors. All stakeholders will receive necessary tools and teaching materials. Bank branches will be informed. A single contact person will be identified per bank.
A communication campaign will showcase successful case studies to facilitate the program's relaunch. National audiovisual media, print media, advertising campaigns, and information meetings for applicants will disseminate information until May. Additionally, a new portal and a call center will be launched.
The goal is to restore confidence among young people, many of whom were discouraged by bureaucracy and other obstacles.
Hamid Marbouhi had hoped to present a project under Moukawalati, but a friend's experience dissuaded him.
"Noureddine presented his project to the bank," Marbouhi explained to Magharebia. "After several months and complicated procedures, his project was rejected. So, I wanted to save my time and effort. I also heard about other cases that were accepted, but whose funding was too slow."
"Young people must be mobilized for this program to succeed," stated the Minister of Employment and Vocational Training, Jamal Aghmani. "Currently, there aren't many applicants, even though we're counting on the program's success. Young people must understand that training before starting their project is essential."
Mr. Aghmani emphasized that banks are starting to open up to this program. To encourage them, the Moroccan banking professional group is urging its agencies to comply with program procedures and participate in local technical committees. Under the Moukawalati program, 85 percent of each bank loan is guaranteed by the Central Guarantee Fund (CCG).
The Moukawalati program is the first self-employment program involving decision-makers, public institutions, banks, and civil society to support project leaders and promote SMEs.
Although the goal was to create 30,000 small and medium-sized enterprises in 2008, the program fell short. Only 2,000 small businesses have been funded to date; 526 projects were accepted in 2007, and 1,624 in 2008.
Sarah Touahri
Published February 18, 2009
Posted online February 19, 2009
magharebia.com
This program will now offer "more chances of success, especially as it is a key part of the government's proactive employment promotion policy," stated the Minister of Economic and General Affairs, Nizar Baraka.
It will be open to all those presenting projects, not just those with formal qualifications as before.
"Entrepreneurial spirit isn't dependent on diplomas," explained Mr. Kamal.
The Moukawalati program's network of service centers will expand from 115 to 183. The number of advisors will also increase, with 112 new advisors in training and additional training for 22 existing advisors. All stakeholders will receive necessary tools and teaching materials. Bank branches will be informed. A single contact person will be identified per bank.
A communication campaign will showcase successful case studies to facilitate the program's relaunch. National audiovisual media, print media, advertising campaigns, and information meetings for applicants will disseminate information until May. Additionally, a new portal and a call center will be launched.
The goal is to restore confidence among young people, many of whom were discouraged by bureaucracy and other obstacles.
Hamid Marbouhi had hoped to present a project under Moukawalati, but a friend's experience dissuaded him.
"Noureddine presented his project to the bank," Marbouhi explained to Magharebia. "After several months and complicated procedures, his project was rejected. So, I wanted to save my time and effort. I also heard about other cases that were accepted, but whose funding was too slow."
"Young people must be mobilized for this program to succeed," stated the Minister of Employment and Vocational Training, Jamal Aghmani. "Currently, there aren't many applicants, even though we're counting on the program's success. Young people must understand that training before starting their project is essential."
Mr. Aghmani emphasized that banks are starting to open up to this program. To encourage them, the Moroccan banking professional group is urging its agencies to comply with program procedures and participate in local technical committees. Under the Moukawalati program, 85 percent of each bank loan is guaranteed by the Central Guarantee Fund (CCG).
The Moukawalati program is the first self-employment program involving decision-makers, public institutions, banks, and civil society to support project leaders and promote SMEs.
Although the goal was to create 30,000 small and medium-sized enterprises in 2008, the program fell short. Only 2,000 small businesses have been funded to date; 526 projects were accepted in 2007, and 1,624 in 2008.
Sarah Touahri
Published February 18, 2009
Posted online February 19, 2009
magharebia.com
