Magharebia

Moroccan government allocated $147m for a programme to set up around 30,000 small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) by 2008. The move aims at supporting self-employment through entrepreneurship promotion for unemployed people under age 45.

An additional $2.7m will be granted as aid to these companies as loans and donations, according to the draft of the 2006 finance law. The State will contribute $75m, while a Moroccan guarantee fund will allocate $57m. (L'Economiste)