5.4% growth rate in Morocco

Moroccan Finance Minister Fathallah Oulalou said that the 2006 appropriation bill forecasts a 5.4% growth rate and a 02% inflation rate. Oualalou also noted that the balance of payment will be stable while the budget deficit is expected to stand at 3.2% of the GDP. <i>Le Matin</i> reports that the state budget is to amount to 167 billion MAD (16 billion euros). This amount breaks down to 101 billion for operation expenses, 21.5 billion for equipment expenses and 44.4 billion for public debt.