World Bank will disburse about $202 million in support to the development of Casablanca in Morocco, a statement from the institution indicated.

This support should help accelerate the implementation of the 8-year plan for the development of Greater Casablanca (PDGC) whose overall cost was valued at $3.4 billion.

“This innovative programme will not only help us tackle the municipality’s challenges in regards to public service provision and business environment as well, but also to test an urban management model which will then be replicated in other major cities of Morocco,”said Augustin Maria, team chief of the project.

Let’s note that Casablanca, alone, hosts about 12% of Morocco’s population and contributes to 20% of its gross domestic product.