Building on the success of the original programme, these resources will focus on financial sustainability, social inclusion and climate change
Today, the Board of Directors of the World Bank approved an additional $100 million to finance Casablanca Community Support Program, an extension of 200 million from the initial program approved in 2017. This program supports the financial and institutional strengthening of the city under the Greater Casablanca Development Plan (PDGC), with the aim of making the city more competitive, vibrant for its residents and attractive to investors. These additional resources will help expand the impact of the program on development and accelerate post-COVID recovery in the Casablanca commune, while ensuring a sustainable, resilient and inclusive development model for the city.
Initial program benefits
The initial program has achieved tangible results despite the pandemic and the restrictions that have plagued it, which have put pressure on the municipality’s revenues. This additional funding will help advance the reforms launched under the initial program, support the economic recovery of the city of Casablanca as it emerges from COVID-19 and better manage current global inflation pressures,” pointed Jesko Henschel, World Bank Operations Director for the Maghreb.
The program has spillover effects beyond the country’s economic capital: it could be replicated in other urban metropolitan areas in Morocco and elsewhere in the MENA region. “The example of Casablanca, Morocco’s economic hub, will be useful for other municipalities facing similar challenges. The program has achieved tangible results, including increasing private municipal revenues, mobilizing private capital through a public-private partnership contract, and modernizing municipal revenue management from Through the development of many tools and the improvement of the business environment, the number of days required to issue building permits and patents is being reduced today. These reforms can be replicated in other cities and nationwide. This is what we are already seeing in certain aspects of the program”shaded Shaima Belwali, urban development specialist and project co-responsible.
strengthening public finances
Building on the achievements and momentum of the initial program, these additional financial resources will focus on fiscal sustainability, social inclusion, and resilience to climate change. They will focus on strengthening the financial position of the Casablanca commune by improving revenue mobilization through technical assistance, studies and information technology systems. In addition, they will support investment efforts aimed at improving the development of disadvantaged areas, particularly by encouraging green investments with the aim of improving the urban environment and enhancing their resilience to climate change.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the financial weaknesses of the city of Casablanca. The additional financing from the World Bank will promote sound management of revenue and expenditures by the municipality, enhance the city’s resilience to climate risks and contribute to long-term emissions reduction goals, Add Sata Shafeeq Al-Arnaout, Senior Urban Development Specialist and Co-Chairman of the project. In the face of Casablanca’s growing population, this funding will support the authorities’ desire to provide basic services with a focus on sustainability and efficiency. Integrating climate actions as part of a broader approach to service delivery will support the shift to a resilient, sustainable and inclusive urban growth model. »