The magazine tackles in detail this response plan and the various far-reaching measures put in place by Morocco to combat the spread of the coronavirus and deal with the economic and social impact of the epidemic.
"Since the announcement of the first confirmed case of covid-19 on its territory, Morocco has put in place a major response plan to fight against the spread of the virus and cope with the economic and social impact caused by the global health crisis in several sectors, mainly tourism and catering," says the magazine, which publishes an analysis by Najib Benamour, economist, executive secretary general of the Moroccan Institute of Strategic Intelligence.
Placed under a state of health emergency, the country, which has locked its borders and introduced general containment since March 20, "is mobilizing massively" to support the populations most affected by the economic slowdown, particularly through the special Fund COVID-19, initiated by HM King Mohammed VI, which has raised to date more than 32 billion dirhams in grants, says the author of this analysis.
Najib Benamour notes in this context the setting up of an economic watch committee (CVE) to "evaluate and anticipate the direct and indirect economic repercussions of Covid-19", which has adopted a series of anticipatory financial measures aimed at the entire population.
On another point, Forbes stresses the fact that the Kingdom's rating has been maintained unchanged by the rating agency Fitch Ratings. "While several countries have seen their sovereign ratings downgraded, the U.S. rating agency maintains the Kingdom at BBB- with a stable outlook," notes the magazine in a report published in mid-March, adding that the agency believes the Kingdom has buffers to manage coronavirus pressures, despite the drought, thanks in particular to the recent decision to adjust the flexibility of the exchange rate regime.
"Taken together, these measures constitute a real "Marshall Plan" deployed by the King of Morocco, who from the beginning of the crisis applied the principle of maximum precaution in order to preserve the Kingdom from the pandemic," the magazine underlines.