Rabat - January 14, 2015: The Islamic Development Bank (IDB) and the Kingdom of Morocco signed a memorandum of understanding for promoting existing cooperation and transferring Moroccan expertise to IDB member countries south of the Sahara. The memorandum was signed this morning in Rabat at the headquarters of the Ministry of the Economy and Finance in Rabat, Kingdom of Morocco. It also aims to enhance growth and social progress and promote Islamic banking in Sub-Saharan countries to enable them achieve sustainable development by involving the Moroccan public and private enterprises in the implementation of IDB-funded development programmes there. The memorandum was signed by H.E. Mohamed Boussaid, Minister of the Economy and Finance, IDB Governor for Morocco, and by Dr. Ahmed Mohamed Ali, President of the IDB Group.

A tripartite memorandum of understanding was also signed between the Moroccan Agency for International Cooperation, the Government of Burkina Faso and the IDB, within the framework of the Bank's efforts to promote the exchange of knowledge and expertise among its member countries. Under the terms of the MoU, the Moroccan Agency for International Cooperation is to provide expertise to the national drinking water company in Burkina Faso and help build its capacity to manage and supply clean drinking water, protect the water resources of the Ziga dam, optimize the use of the dam's water treatment capabilities and enhance the capacity of the national central laboratory in Ouagadougou in Water quality control. The memorandum was signed by Mr. Abderrahim Kadmiri, Director General of the Moroccan Agency for International Cooperation, by H.E. Jean Gustav Sanon, Minister of Economy and Finance and IDB Governor for Burkina Faso and by Dr. Ahmed Mohamed Ali, IDB Group President.

The Kingdom of Morocco is a founding member of the IDB and entertains strong relations with the IDB Group. Total financing extended by IDB Group to Morocco so far are in excess of US$6 billion, covering various development sectors, including trade, which forms part of the IDB group efforts to promote trade exchange among its member countries.

© Press Release 2015