The treasury of the Kingdom of Morocco is betting on the culture of public finance to increase the effectiveness of policies

In the presence of Moroccan and foreign financial experts, the Ministry of Economy and Finance (General Treasury of the Kingdom), in partnership with the Association of the International Public Finance Foundation “FONDATIP”, and with the support of the French Journal of Public Finance “RFFP”, organized today, Saturday in Rabat, a meeting to address the issue of strengthening the culture of public finance among citizens. As well as officials, reviewing the important role of understanding the various mechanisms and processes related to them in increasing the effectiveness of public policies and enhancing the credibility of the various financial and tax decisions and proactive policies implemented by the state.

In his opening speech on this occasion, Noureddine Bensouda, the Treasury General of the Kingdom, stressed that “the public finance system, with its rules and the role of the various actors in it, is often unknown to the general public, to the point that some view this field as ambiguous and ambiguous; Even for knowledgeable people, it sometimes happens that they do not have the same understanding of certain concepts, and therefore they propose solutions that are not appropriate in this context.”

Bensouda added: “For example, when the state fails to mobilize sufficient resources to cover expenses, some believe that increasing the rates of customs duties and taxes to increase public revenues may solve this problem,” continuing: “This is also the case when economic actors request the approval of reductions in taxes or incentives.” Tax, which significantly reduces the state’s resources and consequently reduces its ability to spend, launch public deals, and pump money to revive the economy and support families.”

In this context, the Treasury of the Kingdom stressed the need to “spread knowledge about public finance in the widest possible way, especially for those who vote on laws and those who implement them, as well as for citizens and economic actors,” stressing at the same time the importance of strengthening teaching and research in this field through… Introducing a culture of public finance at the school curriculum level.

The official in charge of the Kingdom’s public treasury confirmed, in a statement to Hespress newspaper, that “the field of public finance includes a group of topics, such as resources and expenditures, but what is important is that all actors, especially citizens, understand and be informed of the mechanisms for managing this finance, and in this context this comes.” The meeting is to enhance understanding of these topics and their implications for public policies, whether in the field of health, education, or others.”

For his part, Michel Bouvier, President of FONDATIP, said, “Morocco and France, like most other countries, are still witnessing a kind of deficiency in the culture of public finance, especially since this field has remained confined within the walls of ministries and in the finance committees of parliaments, without This should include the general public,” noting that “citizens are still unaware of the effects of decisions taken in public finances, which include the finances of the state and local groups, tax issues, and social security in general.”

The same university professor, president of the International Public Finance Foundation Association, added in a statement to Hespress newspaper, on the sidelines of this meeting, that “what is hoped is to spread this culture and the various processes related to this field, so that the citizen understands why this or that financial or tax decision was taken.” .

In the same context, and in response to a question from the electronic newspaper Hespress about the extent of the presence of public finance culture in the legislative institution, Adeeb Ben Brahim, a parliamentarian and member of the Finance and Economic Development Committee in the House of Representatives, stated that “Organizational Law No. 130.13 of the Finance Law includes a set of requirements that made the parliamentarian At the heart of public finance.

The same parliamentarian recorded that “this culture is present in the legislative institution, but it needs to be strengthened by a number of means. For example, the reports related to the draft finance law are purely technical reports, and work must be done to facilitate their understanding for the parliamentarian, provide him with all the necessary information, and train him to participate in the making process.” Financial decision.”