Support for Transporters: From the 3 Dirhams per Liter Project to the Status Quo, a Subtle Setback
A Reform Announced but Never Implemented
The Moroccan government initially considered a major change to the support system for transporters, proposing a subsidy indexed to actual fuel consumption, set at 3 dirhams per liter of diesel. This approach was intended to create a break from previous practices, making the program fairer and more targeted. However, this announced reform ultimately was not implemented, resulting in the continuation of the existing system.
A Return to the Tonnage-Based System
In practice, subsidies are still allocated based on traditional criteria, primarily related to the type of vehicle and its tonnage, rather than the actual activity of transporters. This choice reflects a desire for continuity, even caution, but it limits the system’s ability to reflect the economic realities of the sector.
Opacity Raises Questions
The lack of transparency regarding the amounts and criteria for allocation raises concerns. Neither the detailed subsidy grid nor the changes between the different tiers have been clearly published, despite the announcement of a recent 25% increase. This lack of visibility fuels criticisms regarding the management of this public aid.
Persistent Windfall Effects
The current system has significant limitations. In the absence of a direct link to actual activity, some transporters can receive subsidies without necessarily being actively engaged in operations. Subsidies reaching several thousand dirhams per vehicle are disbursed regardless of the distance traveled or fuel consumed, which fosters windfall effects and a form of economic rent.
A Budgetary and Structural Issue
The abandonment of the consumption-indexed mechanism could be explained by its potential high cost for public finances. For instance, a truck traveling long distances could receive significantly more support than what is currently disbursed. Additionally, the stark disparities among different types of transport complicate the establishment of a uniform system.
The Weight of the Informal Sector as a Major Barrier
Another obstacle lies in the size of the informal sector, which is estimated to account for between 40% and 60% of goods transport. This reality makes it challenging to base any indexing on reliable tax data, as a significant portion of operators operates outside formal reporting channels.
Between Social Imperatives and Political Trade-offs
In light of rising fuel prices, the government favors a broad system to contain inflation and preserve purchasing power. This choice reflects a trade-off between economic efficiency and social stability, often at the cost of less precise targeting of aid.
A Reform Still Pending
Finally, several questions remain unresolved, including the indexing of transport tariffs to fuel prices, a project mentioned for several years but never realized. In the absence of an official evaluation of the current system, the aid policy for transporters continues to evolve in uncertainty, caught between economic necessity and political constraints.
