jeudi 6 septembre 2007.

The Progress Contract 2006-2012, which aims to the implementation of strategic vision concerning the development of ICT sector, was signed between the Moroccan government and Apebi- Federation of Information Technologies, Telecommunications and Off shoring - in its quality as a representative of the professionals of the private sector of ICT.

The official ceremony of the signing of the contract was presided over by the Prime Minister Mr. Driss JETTOU, in the Congress Palace of Skhirat.

The Progress Contract 2006-2012 consists of the common measures taken by the Moroccan government and the private sector for the carrying out of a development plan of ICT sector in its first phase....

The formalization of this concerted policy through the signing of the present « Progress Contract 2006-2012 » between the government and the professionals of the sector , represented by Apebi (Federation of Information Technologies, Telecommunications and Off shoring), symbolizes the expression of a common engagement with regards to the creation of conditions that promote the transformation of the sector potentials.

This policy of public support to the development of ICT sector is based on the following principal catalysts :

• The involvement of both parties, public and private sectors, particularly in the highest level of Government, in the conception and carrying out.
• The constitution and institution of a qualified and dedicated team to the carrying out and coordination of the strategy.
• The implementation of an institutional guidance of the strategy through a common ‘’ Public-Private’’ committee.

In order to achieve its aims, the already mentioned strategy is accompanied by an operational action plan

This leading framework, which plans the actions to be led during the period 2006-2012, determines framework and affiliated timeline with the assistance of the different public actors, private and academic, able to ensure the carrying out of the following aims :

• The participation in the development of the information society and the decrease of the digital fracture.
• Positioning of Morocco in an ICT and off shoring dimension in the international level.
• The participation in the economic growth and the creation of jobs
• The creation of a strong ICT industry and the reinforcement of the national engineering

It also aims, important objectives that will allow to the sector to carry its volume of sales turnover of the 26 billion dirhams noted at the end of 2004, to about 60 billion dirham in 2012 ; that is to say an average potential of growth a year about 18%.

It offers, through this fact, an employment creation potential of more than 33 000 jobs through the activities of the Information Technologies Industry, except telecoms

This vision integrates an increase of ICT penetration for the development of the venture (about 50 000 company within 2012) as well as the benefit of citizens (1, 8 billion internet subscribers within 2012).

In order to reach these aims, this operational plan integrates the following basic assumptions, for the period 2006-2012 :

• Annual growth rate of the sales turnover of ICT sector (Except Export) of 15%.
• Increase on behalf of the ICT in the general budget of the State in order to increase it to 2%.
• Implementation of PROTIC (about 50 000 companies which will integrate the information Technologies within 2012)
• Internet development : 1.8 billion subscribers within 2012

From the other hand, these aims are reachable through the implementation of some concrete measures, inherent to the Progress Contract 2006-2012, able to stimulate the expected development dynamics :

• An unconditional support to the development of the national ICT industry
• Support to Innovation, R&D and creation of added value
• Upgrading the access to the domestic market for the national ICT operators
• Access to financing and the establishment of dedicated ICT funds
• Accelerated deployment of Electronic Administration
• Attracting foreign investments and support for exports
• Training and human resources development
• Ensure the creation of dedicated technological parks
• Establishment of a digital confidence environment
• Extension of Internet in Morocco
• Continuation of liberalization of the telecommunication sector

The practical aspect of this strategy is based on :