The Financial Autonomy of Regions in Morocco and Territorial Economic Development: The Case of the Souss Massa (SM) Region

Abstract

The financing of local authorities is the cornerstone of the success of decentralization process. In fact, the financial autonomy of communities guarantees the realization of free administration and subsidiarity principles, without it, decentralization would not realize its aims of integrated territorial development.

The financing of the regions in Morocco is based on resources transferred by the State, its own resources and borrowing. The consistency and composition of these funding provide information on the financial autonomy of the regions and their investment capacity, and consequently on their contribution to regional economic development.

The purpose of this contribution is to study the financial situation of regions, their financial autonomy, and to assess the impact on the alleged role of the region as a locomotive for regional economic development.