IFAD opens office in Rabat to fight poverty in Morocco

The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) on Thursday opened its new office in Rabat to fight poverty in Morocco.

"The opening of an IFAD office in Morocco is part of the Fund's policy to decentralize and strengthen partnerships at the country level," IFAD Assistant Vice President, Perin Saint Ange, said in a speech.

"With this office, we are convinced that the already strong ties with the government of Morocco, civil society and donors will be further reinforced," he said.

The opening of this office "reflects a long-term commitment of IFAD with the Government of Morocco" within the framework of partnership in the fight against rural poverty, he said.

IFAD has funded 13 projects in Morocco since 1979 with a total amounting to 222 million U.S. dollars. Morocco has also benefited over the past decade from over 21 million dollars in IFAD regional and country grants.

These investments have benefited more than 750,000 households living in very difficult conditions, particularly in mountainous areas.

The target groups of the projects supported by IFAD in these areas include smallholder farmers and landless, small-scale livestock farmers, rural women and unemployed youth.

Source: XINHUA