Surge in government spending narrows fiscal deficit to 6% RABAT: Morocco’s economic growth is expected to slow to 2.9 percent in 2022 from a forecast 5.8 percent this year, the planning agency said on Monday. The forecasts signal a recovery in domestic and foreign demand but remain shrouded in uncertainty given developments in the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic and vaccination efforts, the agency said in a report. Morocco has Africa’s largest vaccinated population, administering near 20 million doses of the AstraZeneca and Sinopharm vaccines so far. Last year, Morocco’s gross domestic product (GDP) contracted 6.3 percent under the combined impact of the pandemic and drought. The fiscal deficit was seen narrowing to 6 percent in 2022 from 6.3 percent this year due to a surge in government spending to help productive sectors and reduce disparities. HIGHLIGHTS ● The country’s trade deficit is expected to widen to 16.8% in 2022 from 15.9% this year. ● Money supply growth is likely slow to 4% in 2022 after 5.7% in 2021. ● Morocco’s foreign exchange reserves are expected to stand at $34.7 billion. Spurring growth hinges on addressing unemployment, the informal economy and disparities, planning agency head Ahmed Lahlimi said. The trade deficit is expected to widen to 16.8 percent in 2022 from 15.9 percent this year. Given the bonds Morocco may issue and the steady flow of remittances from Moroccans abroad, which offset the drop in tourism, Morocco’s foreign exchange reserves are expected to stand at 311 billion dirhams ($34.7 billion), enough to cover six months and 9 days of imports. Money supply growth would slow to 4 percent in 2022 after 5.7 percent in 2021, the agency said.