Over 64% of rural population benefited from roads in 2008, official

   In a note read on his behalf by State Secretary in Charge of Handicraft, Anis Birrou, Ghellab said efforts will be pursued to improve access to the rural zones, noting that over 2,300 km will be built in 2009 for an amount of 2.5 billion dirhams.

   Ghellab described as "very positive" the report of the second national program of rural roads (French acronym PNRR2) after three years and a half of its implementation.

   Studies were concluded in May regarding 12,500 km and several deals were stricken concerning over 7,400 km, of which 3,900 km are finished and 2,700 km are still under construction, he said.

   Improving access for rural population and curbing disparities between provinces are the main criteria for the selection of the PNRR2 projects, the Minister said.

   The planning of the programme's implementation is based on a participative approach at the local level, the observance of well adapted technical, economic and social criteria and the use of diversified sources of financing.