Moroccan fuel prices remain under the heavy influence of international markets, says Government Spokesperson Mustapha Baitas.
In today’s press briefing subsequent to the weekly government council, Baitas explained that “fuel prices in Morocco are 61% controlled by the international prices, in addition to 31% of taxes and fees controlling the final price, and 4% by distribution and installments.”
The Minister Delegate attributed the decline in fuel prices on the international market to the rise in the price of the dollar in Morocco.
“The rise of the dollar against the Moroccan Dirham directly affects imports,” said the official, adding: “Our country is not oil-producing, and all our needs are imported, which makes us directly affected by the various international effects known to all.”
On the other hand, the official also acknowledged the increase in state’s revenues from fuel taxes due to the increase in its purchase and sales price.
“Until the end of the first six months of the current year, tax revenues increased by MAD 1.3 billion,” said Baitas, while reminding that “ the government provided 2.1 billion dirhams of support to transport professionals.”
This last statement came as a response to some people’s demands for the government to reduce the fuel consumption tax in light of such increased government resources from fuel.
The official also invoked the government’s allocation of an additional MAD 16 billion to maintain the price of the internal sale of butane gas and ensure the stability of sugar prices, noting that “Morocco needs a policy of targeting and directing support towards its beneficiaries.”
On the other hand, the government’s spokesman responded to the large criticism directed at Head of Government Aziz Akhannouch on social media, following Moroccans launching a hashtag calling for his departure.
“The government hears all expressions very carefully, and is doing its best to interact and respond and take all measures that can reduce the prices of materials that have experienced spikes.”
The people’s demands and outrage at this time of crisis “does not cancel out the fact that our country has chosen the democratic option and organized fair and transparent elections,” said the official, calling for the respect of election results and a chance for the government to apply its electoral program.
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