King Mohammed VI has named economist Driss Guerraoui President of the Competition Council and Mohamed Abouelaziz Secretary General of the institution that prevents anticompetitive practices, removes competition infringements, promotes the competition culture, and helps establish a fair competition environment.
Since the end of the mandate of its members, including that of the former President Abdelali Benamour in 2013, the Competition Council had become inactive, pending the appointment of new members.
The absence of this constitutional institution was particularly noticeable during the weeks-long boycott campaign against three brands of consumer goods launched in April 2018, and the revelations about the high profit margins made by Moroccan oil companies after the liberalization of the sector at the end of 2015.
During the appointment ceremony, king Mohammed “stressed the importance of the missions devolved to the Competition Council by the Constitution and by law, which makes it an independent institution, entrusted with ensuring transparency and fairness in economic relations, especially through the analysis and regulation of market competition, the control of anticompetitive practices and economic concentration and monopoly operations,” the Royal Office said in a statement.
The Sovereign gave his instructions to Driss Guerraoui, “and through him to all the (twelve) members of the Competition Council, to make sure that this institution fulfils its mission fully and independently, and contributes to enhancing good economic governance, strengthening the competitiveness of national economy and reinforcing its capacity to create value and jobs,” said the statement.
Driss Guerraoui, 66, was a professor at Mohammed V University (Rabat-Agdal) and a visiting professor at several foreign universities. Since 2011 and until his new appointment Saturday, he was Secretary General of the Economic, Social and Environmental Council.
Also on Saturday, Mohammed VI appointed Omar Seghrouchni as President of the National Commission for the Control of Personal Data Protection (CNDP).
This entity is entrusted with protecting individuals during their personal data processing. It is responsible for verifying that personal data processing is lawful, legal and does not violate privacy, fundamental rights and freedoms, the Royal Office statement said.
During the audience, the King instructed Omar Seghrouchni to see to it that the Commission strengthens its mechanisms and means to be in tune with technological and legal developments, for a better protection of citizens’ rights and the personal character of their data.
The National Commission for the Control of the Protection of Personal Data (CNDP) is composed, in addition to its president, of six members appointed by the King, at the proposal of the Head of Government and the Speakers of the two Houses of Parliament.
