Morocco announces re-launch of Moukawalati programme
2009-02-18
In the hopes of easing the bureaucratic hurdles involved in setting up small businesses, Morocco re-launched a more accessible Moukawalati programme.
By Sarah Touahri for Magharebia in Rabat – 18/02/09
 [File] Moroccan Economic Minister Nizar Baraka says the revamped Moukawalati is central to the government's employment initiative. |
The Moroccan government revealed a new strategy for the Moukawalati programme recently, aiming to restore the development initiative's original promise. Hafid Kamal, head of the National Agency for the Promotion of Employment and Skills (ANAPEC) discussed the proposed changes at a press conference in Casablanca on February 9th. The re-launch of the 18-month old programme aims to give it a new impetus and to adjust it to better fit applicants' expectations.
The programme will now have "more chances of success, especially as this is a major undertaking which sits at the very heart of the government's eager policy to promote employment," said Economic and General Affairs Minister Nizar Baraka.
The programme will be opened up to all those submitting projects, and no longer just to those with formal qualifications, as was the case in the past.
"The entrepreneurial spirit does not come from qualifications," explained Kamal.
The number of Moukawalati application offices will be expanded from 115 to 183. The number of advisers will increase; with 112 new advisers being trained and further training being given to 22 others already in post. All Moukawalati service providers will be given the necessary teaching tools and materials. Bank branches will also be brought up to speed. A single contact person will be identified at each bank.
A communication campaign will offer success stories to the general public as a way to re-introduce the programme. The country's audiovisual media, written press, posters and informational meetings for those submitting projects will disseminate information about the programme until May. Furthermore, a new programme portal will be launched and a call centre established.
It is hoped that the re-launch of Moukawalati will restore youth confidence in the project, which was hampered by bureaucracy and other obstacles.
Hamid Marbouhi was hoping to submit a project to Moukawalati, but a friend's experience with the programme put him off.
"Noureddine presented his project to the bank," Marbouhi told Magharebia. "After several months of complex proceedings, his project was rejected. So I would rather save my time and effort. I also heard about other cases which were accepted but the financing came too late."
"Young people must be spurred into action if the programme is to be successful," stated Minister of Employment and Vocational Training Jamal Aghmani. "At present, there are few applicants, yet there is a real desire for the programme to be a success. Young people must realise how extremely important it is to get some training before throwing themselves into their project."
Aghmani noted that banks are starting to open up. To increase awareness among banks, their professional organisation has encouraged branches to respect programme procedures and involve themselves in local technical committees. Under Moukawalati, 85% of every bank loan is guaranteed by the central guarantee fund (CCG).
The Moukawalati programme is the first self-employment programme to involve decision-makers, public bodies, banks and civil society to help entrepreneurs set up projects and promote SME's.
Although the objective was to create 30,000 small businesses by 2008, these target numbers are far from having been achieved. Only 2,000 small businesses have thus far been financed; 526 projects were accepted in 2007 and 1,624 in 2008.
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Acharif moulay abdellah bouskraoui Posted 2009-02-18
Morocco is doing its best to develop and find work for our children for a better life. The government, following His Majesty Mohamed VI’s decision, is doing the impossible to lover the unemployment rate and create sustainable development.
hassna Posted 2009-02-20
God grants success.
karim Posted 2009-03-01
The problem with Moukawalati's program is the bank. That's all. Thanks!
مصطفر بركاوي Posted 2009-03-03
I am a young man who has a project within Moukawalati programme but the banks refused to fund it without any justification, like 31 other project files which were approved in the region of Errachidia. We are wondering about the fate of our projects in the new version of Moukawalati programme? We sincerely hope that the new version of Moukawalati will be based on the interest of the people and not use it in the electoral campaign to attract young people especially unemployed university graduates as did the former government but it failed. This is reflected by the turnout in the parliamentary elections 2007.
المكناسي Posted 2009-03-07
Peace, mercy and blessings of God be upon you. I thank you for your valuable efforts and thank everyone who contributes to make such programme succeed. However, don’t you see with me that officials in your offices hinder this process by imposing unimportant documents? I am a young man, 39, I have 30 years experience in iron industry, artistic welding and industrial mechanics. I have not fulfilled my studies because I dropped out of school before getting the certificate of primary education. I submitted my application to set up a good business which I studied from all sides. I have professional competency certificates from the chamber of industry and heads of workshops and factories in which I worked. However, my application was rejected because I don’t have a certificate of completion of primary education. By God, tell me which is more important a thirty-years experience or the primary education? I hope to find a satisfactory reply from you. Sincerely yours. Salam alikum. El Meknassi.
سمير لكويتي Posted 2009-03-08
Salam alikum. I am a young man from Hadcourte, Sidi Kacem. I ask you to clarify Moukawalati programme so that most young people will understand it more in order to present adequate projects. Salam.
ibrahim Posted 2009-03-10
Peace of God be upon everyone. Honestly, the Moukawalati programme is good. We ask God to grant success to everyone who took the initiative. We hope that officials will facilitate procedures so that young people can get out from the shell of unemployment. Thank you everyone.
صلاح الدين الشمامي العيون Posted 2009-03-13
Salam alikum. I am one of the candidates who benefited from Moukawalati programme. I had a very good experience. I faced many obstacles to the point that I decided to withdraw because of the delay and rejection of the project by the bank after waiting for eight months. After reviewing the file again, I had to wait for another three months. I was accepted by the same bank after twelve months of waiting. (If you want honey you must suffer some bee stings). This is in addition to necessary procedures and papers. This means one year of waiting. After a very huge effort, my project saw the light. Praise be to God, my project is successful. My major goal is to develop it from good to better. Moukawalati is a very successful idea. It helps us access the spirit of entrepreneurship. Thanks to Moukawalati. It has competent employees who welcome you and help you elaborate the idea of your project to reality. The important thing is that you should be confident about your idea and can give a good product by the end of the year. I hope that you choose a project in which you have big experience. Moukawalati is a good idea. However, the only mistake is that the bank receives you with a slap in your face and a big calamity by breaking all your dreams. Finally, this remains a passing cloud in case the project is accepted by the bank. I wish good luck to every candidate who wants to submit his idea to Moukawalati. Thanks to everyone who wants to benefit from the experience, I am available.
IMAN Posted 2009-03-14
I am a Moroccan citizen from the North of Morocco. I have presented an agricultural project to Moukawalati programme. The project was accepted by the regional centre of investment. But when I submitted the project to the bank, it was rejected on the grounds that I am a woman and this agricultural project is hard for me as a woman. I just want to say that there are many people who don’t wish the good for this country and don’t aspire to its development.
نبيل احميتي Posted 2009-03-14
I am a young man who has the idea of a project. I have a wide experience in shaping materials and metals but I haven’t completed my studies. But I am more brilliant than holders of diplomas in my field. I have a perfect industrial mind. However, I don’t have the capital. I was faced by the bureaucracy in a country called the tomb of young people…?
hassane hnini Posted 2009-03-30
Salam alikum. I am a young man from the city of Errachidia. I submitted my application to Moukawalati in order to help me carry out a project. I hope from God that my application will be approved by the institute. God grants success. I am optimistic and totally trust the institute as well as its employees. Thank you.
mohamed Posted 2009-04-22
Salam alikum. This is a good initiative which I will join soon. What are necessary measures for a building business?
بيضاوي Posted 2009-05-06
Crédit Agricole has no experience in Moukawalati programme.
ayoub Posted 2009-05-09
Salam alaikoum- I am a young man from the city of Khemisset. I have applied for a Moukawalati loan in order to help me get a project going. By God, I am hoping they accept given that I am a welder (spark welding and types MIG and MAG welding). I am optimistic. I have complete confidence in this institution and its employees. –Thank you
zahra Posted 2009-05-14
Salam alaikoum- In order for this programme to succeed, it is necessary to fight corruption!
عبدو Posted 2009-05-26
Salam alikum. I want to submit an application to Moukawalati.
أ-ر Posted 2009-05-27
Peace, mercy and blessings of God be upon you. Firstly, I would like to congratulate those whose projects were approved. I wish success to everyone. I am not sure, I have one idea. The project succeeds with the success of its owner. The latter should get rid of his arrogance and to accept advice regardless of who gives the advice. Sometimes they are hard but interesting to make you a man or woman. I address particularly the sister Imane when the bank replied to her you are a woman and the project is difficult for you to achieve! You should have told him the project is not difficult like his offensive words. They look at you really as men and women who don't give in for slight things like this. I hope from my heart. I wish success to everyone. Morocco is really a treasure. To find it, you must bear difficulties and overcome hurdles to enjoy this success. Don't forget me brothers in your prayers. There is another observation, I would like to find detailed measures to access such projects. My wishes of success to everyone. Peace, mercy and blessings of God be upon you.
bidaoui Posted 2009-06-10
Salam alaikoum- I am a young man who is passionate about business. Recently, I began renting a small garage in a commercial complex, but I ran into difficulties in financing this. I do not have a lot of capital. In spite of all this, my project is improving over time. To this regard, I have a question to ask you: Can I get a Moukawalati loan without having registered my business? Thank you in advance. -Salam alaikoum
مصطفى Posted 2009-06-17
Salam alikum. I am a young man. I have two children. I live in the city of Taza. I have a certificate of the lower secondary education and experience in building as a worker for ten years, an entrepreneur for three years. I have all this experience in Spain. As a result of the repercussions of the economic crisis, I returned to my country hoping to settle down in my homeland Morocco. I thought of setting up a business in building. I presented the idea and administrative documents to the Regional Centre of Investment. It has welcomed the idea. However, it was delayed at the level of the bank justifying this delay with the failure of candidates who want help to show up. We hope there will be an acceleration of the process of applications to enable entrepreneurs to make a better production.
LHOUSSIEN Posted 2009-07-19
Hi. I wish to set up a project in building in Laâyoune. So I need an important funding to improve my conditions and profit Morocco as well so that Moukawalati becomes a big business so that I will benefit and Morocco benefits. But I don't necessary measures. Thank you.
noureddine Posted 2009-07-27
Hello- I am a young man. I am serious about making a good career for myself in this life, by God. However, I am in the process of putting together the documentation needed to get a bank loan. If you know of any tricks of the trade, please give them to me. I want my project to become a reality, God willing. Call me.
محمد Posted 2009-08-22
A persisting question; why does the government come up with programmes which can be successful but the problem is in implementation?
mossadeq Posted 2009-09-02
I have nothing to say besides "Good start!" It should be followed closely. -Thank you so much
lakhder Posted 2009-09-15
Salam alikum, I am a young ma, 23. I work hard to set up a project in breeding livestock. But unfortunately, I haven't succeeded up to now to reach the bank because of all hurdles which I still face. My request to you is advice. Salam alikum. We wish success to all the friends.
el badaouy Posted 2009-09-24
Hello- I am a young Moroccan. I have a university degree in DUT technology. Currently, I have a managerial job in a Moroccan business, but, in order to improve my situation, I am looking to do a professional project by starting a driving school. I would first like to know the necessary preconditions to start one and, after that, I will look for financial help. –Respectfully
لمعيزي Posted 2009-10-13
Salam alikum. I have submitted my study of the project to a bank institute. My project was accepted but I have been waiting for the approval of the CCG for over three months although they are given in 48 hours. The people of Mecca (the bank) know better its streets.
hicham al morchid Posted 2009-10-17
Sometimes, the problems come from the CCG, since, up until now, my project’s funding has been delayed because of CCG pending certification of the bank where I applied.
عبد الحكيم Posted 29 days ago
In the name of God the most gracious the most merciful. I wish success to all young entrepreneurs. We wish success to the Moukawalati programme. I am a young man, 22, and I have a project. I need someone experienced for the necessary help. My phone number is 0667465528. My email: ABDEL7-HAKIM12@HOTMAIL.FR. May God reward you with good.
ahmed Posted 26 days ago
I want to say the government is the first responsible for the problem of unemployment. It must solve problems of young people without intervention of banks or any other private institutes. Thank you, wish you success, God willing.
Gbadamosi Saheed Posted 20 days ago
slamualaekun, pls can an international applicant submit his proposal?
sarabou Posted 17 days ago
Success to everyone.
ranya Posted 12 days ago
First of all, I introduce myself. I am a 14 year old girl. I hope, God willing, to set up project. I am sure it is profitable. Moreover, I suggest to the editorial staff to open a site for young people or teenagers between 14 and 18 who would also propose their suggestions about their ambitions in future. Finally, good luck everyone. We shouldn't forget that we young people are the future of tomorrow.
jfjfj Posted 11 days ago
Go and open a site for the recruitment of unemployed young people. Stop this extravagance and be men.
لحسن Posted 2 days ago
The main cause is complications with the funding. Everybody knows it. There's also the procrastination or negligence of officials in their duties.
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