El Othmani’s government will soon adopt a draft decree granting 70 hectares of state land to the General Confederation of Enterprises of Morocco (CGEM) for the construction of a free export zone in the south of Morocco. However, the decision is being strongly criticized by the Justice and Development Party (PJD).

The project responds to “a request” from the wali of the Laayoune-Boujdour-Sakia Al Hamra region, addressed to the Ministry of Industry and requesting the transfer of 70 hectares to the CGEMl, said Moroccan newspaper Al Massae in its January 1 issue.

“This decision came after the request of certain investors affiliated to the CGEM companies wishing to benefit from this important lot of land for their investment projects in the region,” says the text of the decree, according to the daily.

However, since this land is part of the State’s domain, it was necessary to obtain the agreement of the State Property Directorate, and the various parties concerned within the Ministry of Equipment, transport, logistics and water.

For the PJD MP, Ibrahim Daif, “this decision is not reasonable.”

“The state can not allow the construction of a free export zone without conducting the necessary studies. The government will only pass this decree because the CGEM wants it,” reported Al Massae quoting Daif.

According to the newspaper, other elected officials also oppose this decision, saying that they would make their opinions known “when the time comes.”