Rising Fuel Prices: The Government Acts with a Social Focus and Financial Responsibility

The Minister of Economy and Finance, Nadia Fettah, stated on Monday before the House of Representatives that the government is addressing the issue of rising fuel prices with a strong social focus and a sense of financial and economic responsibility.

In response to an oral question on “the increase in fuel prices,” Ms. Fettah explained that the Executive is aware of the repercussions of this rise on transportation costs and supply chains, as well as its impact on citizens’ purchasing power.

She stressed that the government does not adopt a purely technical or numerical approach, but rather favors a strategy that takes social and economic dimensions into account.

This increase, Ms. Fettah noted, is part of a particular international context, marked by a rise of between 40% and 65% in oil prices, which have reached between 100 and 110 dollars per barrel.

She added that government intervention since March 15 represents a monthly cost of around 1.6 billion dirhams.

Ms. Fettah emphasized that “the government’s choice is a responsible one,” aimed, beyond short-term measures, at creating room to address several structural issues, particularly accelerating investment in renewable energy.

In response to another question regarding pension system reform, the minister indicated that the government has worked on a set of solutions that have reached an advanced stage of preparation.

She noted that the necessary time was devoted to consultation with social partners and trade unions, along with an in-depth review of the issue on a fund-by-fund basis.

According to Ms. Fettah, this is a “complex” issue that requires an approach based on solid data. She stressed the importance of presenting information to society with responsibility and transparency, in order to defend the interests of citizens, retirees, as well as those not covered by pension schemes, through complementary solutions currently being developed.