RABAT, Feb. 15 (Xinhua) -- A high-level team from the World Bank Group (WBG) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Friday concluded a two-day visit to Morocco to prepare for the annual meetings hosted by the country in October 2021.
During their visit, senior officials from both institutions met with Saadeddine El Othmani, head of the government, and Finance Minister Mohamed Benchaaboun, said a joint statement by IMF and WBG.
The team visited the potential sites where the annual meetings will be held, the statement said.
"We have had very productive conversations with our counterparts, and we are impressed with the kingdom's plans to highlight the vibrant city of Marrakech, Morocco's deep history, and the country's bright future," the statement quoted the World Bank Vice President and Corporate Secretary Yvonne Tsikata, as saying.
"Working together over the next three years, our shared goal is to bring the world to Morocco and the region, and bring Morocco and the region to the world," said Secretary of IMF Lin Jianhai.
The Board of Governors of the WBG/IMF, representing 189 countries, voted to hold the annual meetings in Marrakech in 2021, a year that also coincides with the 60th anniversary of Morocco's membership of both institutions.
The annual meetings are usually held for two consecutive years at the WBG/IMF headquarters in Washington D.C. and every third year in another member country.
The 2018 annual meetings took place in Bali, Indonesia.
They bring together central bankers, ministers of finance and development, private sector executives, civil society, youth media, and academics to discuss issues of global concern.
