Protests by actors in the world’s Moroccan issues, against the background of a law that tightens monitoring of the financial accounts of the Moroccan community, delayed the discussion of this text before Parliament.
The House of Representatives postponed broadcasting and voting on two draft laws under which it approves the multilateral agreements between the competent authorities regarding the exchange of declarations for each country, and the automatic exchange of information related to financial accounts.
Rachid Talbi Alami, Speaker of the House of Representatives, explained that the House received a letter from the Chair of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, National Defense, Islamic Affairs and Moroccans Residing Abroad, which includes the Committee’s observations on these two projects, stating that all members of the Committee made some observations regarding a set of clauses of the two agreements, recalling the questions and concerns raised by the Moroccan community residing abroad, and considering that its approval in this way may harm their interests.
On this basis, the speaker adds, the decision on Bill No. 76.19 approving the multilateral agreement between the competent authorities on the exchange of declarations for each country, signed by the Kingdom of Morocco on June 25, 2019, and Bill No. 77.19 approving the multilateral agreement between the competent authorities on the automatic exchange of information related to financial accounts, signed by the Kingdom of Morocco on June 25, 2019.
He added that in view of the interventions of the heads of the parliamentary groups during the legislative session, and the aforementioned data, as well as based on Article 192 of the internal system of the Council, “the Council shall refer the two draft laws to the concerned committee, and it will also postpone broadcasting them based on Article 190 of the internal system, until the government reviews some items that may harm the interests of Moroccans living abroad.”
For his part, Nasser Bourita confirmed that the signing of these two agreements in 2019 came at the initiative of the Ministry of Economy and Finance within the framework of Morocco’s efforts and urgent measures to get out of the European Union’s gray list of countries that do not comply with the standards related to tax transparency.
The minister noted that the two agreements fall within the framework of Morocco’s involvement in the international effort to combat corruption and tax transparency, as they contain clauses “about which legitimate questions, valid observations, and reasonable concerns were raised by a segment of the Moroccan people that enjoys special care from His Majesty King Mohammed VI, and it is related to Moroccans of the world, who felt that these two agreements include requirements that affect the interests of Moroccans living abroad, who represent 6 million Moroccans.”
Bourita highlighted that the government “presented its presentation before the specialized committee and listened carefully to the remarks of the deputies, based on their legitimacy and their bearing on the concerns of citizens, including Moroccans of the world. The conclusion reached was that Morocco is committed and will remain committed to its international commitments in the field of supporting tax transparency and combating tax evasion, and is engaged in the international effort to combat money laundering, and will play its role at the level of combating the financing of terrorism.”
The source pointed out that “all these matters dictate that if an explanation or clarification is required, it should be greater, or in the case of rephrasing, to avoid confusion, misuse, or anything that would prejudice the rights of the Moroccan community,” stressing that the government is “clear.” In this context, and if it is necessary to return to negotiations on these matters, it will do so.
