Agadir 24 | Agadir24
The Finance and Economic Development Committee of the House of Representatives approved, this Wednesday morning, by a majority, the first part of the draft finance law for the fiscal year 2025.
The first part of the draft finance law was approved by 26 deputies, while 11 deputies opposed it, during a lengthy discussion session held in the presence of the Minister Delegate in charge of the budget, Fawzi Lakjaa, while the number of amendments submitted during it exceeded 540 amendments.
In this context, the head of the Finance and Economic Development Committee of the House of Representatives, Zeina Shahim, revealed that the proceedings of the session, which extended for 23 hours, were characterized by “a healthy and responsible discussion between the government and parliamentary representatives from the majority and the opposition.”
Shahim highlighted in a statement to the Maghreb Arab Press that “the government responded to a number of amendments that were presented, most of which relate to the Atlantic gas pipeline, and the sporting events that the Kingdom will host, whether of a continental or international nature, as well as the suitability of some legal texts, especially with regard to the customs matter.” And the tax code.”
In addition, the spokeswoman stopped at “the change that occurred in some legal texts that were subject to adaptation within the framework of encouraging national industry,” noting that the government “also responded to the amendments submitted by the opposition and the majority related to the measures and procedures for notaries.”
The Minister of Economy and Finance, Nadia Fattah Al-Alawi, had said that
The draft finance law for the year 2025 and its priorities were prepared in accordance with the royal directives and the commitments of the government program, which aims to improve its social, economic and financial model, and preserve its balances, especially by completing the implementation of the major community projects in which our country has been involved, and promoting investment that produces job opportunities and high added value.
The government official singled out “sectors that enhance water, energy and food security, and sectoral strategies that serve vital areas of our national economy and enhance its immunity, in parallel with continuing to modernize infrastructure and public services in a way that achieves social and spatial justice in various regions of the Kingdom.”
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**Interview with Zeina Shahim, Head of the Finance and Economic Development Committee of the House of Representatives**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Zeina. The recent approval of the first part of the draft finance law for the fiscal year 2025 has garnered significant attention. Can you tell us what key factors influenced the committee’s decision?
**Zeina Shahim:** Thank you for having me. The decision to approve the draft finance law was based on extensive discussions that involved not just the majority but also the constructive input from the opposition. We reviewed a wide range of amendments—over 540, to be precise—which highlights the active engagement of our deputies in shaping a comprehensive and responsible financial framework.
**Interviewer:** That’s quite a number of amendments. Can you elaborate on the nature of those amendments and how they were received during discussions?
**Zeina Shahim:** Certainly. The amendments ranged from adjustments in budget allocations to proposals for enhancing social services and economic development initiatives. While there were differing opinions, the focus throughout the lengthy 23-hour session was on collaborative dialogue. Our goal was to ensure that the final draft serves the best interests of our constituents.
**Interviewer:** With 26 deputies in favor and 11 opposed, what are some of the concerns raised by those who voted against the draft?
**Zeina Shahim:** The opposition raised valid concerns regarding transparency and the prioritization of various budget items. Some deputies felt that certain areas, especially those related to social welfare and infrastructure, needed more attention. We value these concerns and will continue working with all sides to address them.
**Interviewer:** What are the next steps following this approval, and when can we expect the final version of the finance law?
**Zeina Shahim:** The next step involves further refinement of the draft based on the discussions we’ve had. After addressing the amendments and concerns raised, the final version will be presented to the full House for a vote. We anticipate this will occur in the coming weeks, aiming for a timely implementation before the start of the fiscal year.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Zeina. It sounds like a significant amount of work is ahead, but also a promising willingness to collaborate among lawmakers.
**Zeina Shahim:** Absolutely. Our collective goal is to build a robust financial strategy that benefits everyone. Thank you for having me.
