Purpose of the Country Assistance Strategy

• To develop a comprehensive U.S. Government strategy that reflects the priorities of the Government of Morocco
• To summarize specific foreign assistance goals
• To reflect U.S. government commitment to partnership and cooperation with Morocco
• To guide implementation of foreign assistance activities across U.S. agencies (including USAID, the Millennium Challenge Corporation, and other agencies working in Morocco).

Country Assistance Strategy Goals:

• Mitigate Drivers of Youth Disaffection and Marginalization

A large youth bulge creates the potential for internal instability, especially when compounding factors such as high unemployment and lack of political participation are present.  By engaging at-risk populations and providing economic, political, and educational opportunities for both in-and out-of-school youth, the USG provides positive alternatives to Moroccan youth and helps to mitigate causes of youth disaffection.

• Reduce Poverty and Increase Economic Growth

Broad-based economic growth is based on the idea that all citizens must have economic opportunities in order to be productive and engaged citizens. Leaving out significant portions of the population will create discontent that can be exploited.  The USG will focus on improving the business enabling environment, increasing competitiveness in key growth sectors, and increasing economic opportunities for the poor in high-growth potential sectors.

With Morocco becoming increasingly water-stressed, the USG will address water policy and seek to help Morocco improve efficiency and sustainability of water use. U.S. assistance will continue to help Morocco draw benefits from the U.S. Morocco Free Trade Agreement.

• Improve Effectiveness of Democratic Governance

Real stability is based on the ability of government to represent, respond to and be accountable to its citizens, provide opportunities, and meet citizens’ fundamental needs and desires

The USG will focus on strengthening civil society, political parties, and local government; promoting decentralization, especially for youth, women and the poor; supporting the anticorruption program; and catalyzing legal and justice sector reforms to ensure citizens rights.

• Reinforce Security and Stability

The USG goal is to help Morocco establish the conditions and capacity to reinforce security and stability and the ability to effectively respond to emerging national, regional and international threats. This will be achieved primarily through specific reforms and support for the continued modernization of security forces and the security sector, as well as customs, legal, and regulatory reforms.

Complete report available only in English