فاس نيوز ميديا جريدة الكترونية جهوية تعنى بشؤون و أخبار جهة فاس مكناس – متجددة على مدار الساعة
The Fes-Meknes Regional Council is set to hold its regular session on March 3, 2025, where it is expected to approve a partnership agreement for the establishment of the “Regional Digital Center” in collaboration with the Euro-Mediterranean University of Fes. This project, with a total estimated cost of 20 million dirhams, aims to drive digital transformation and support entrepreneurs in the digital sector by equipping a “Coding School,” a “FabLab,” and fostering innovative projects in digital agriculture and bioenergy.
Despite the project’s announced significance, its budget distribution has sparked concerns among observers and experts. The Regional Council of Fes-Meknes will cover 15 million dirhams of the total cost, while the Euro-Mediterranean University will contribute only 5 million dirhams.
Multiple sources have criticized this distribution as unbalanced, considering that the Euro-Mediterranean University is known for its strong financial resources and high tuition fees, raising doubts about the necessity of such a large public sector contribution.
Some voices argue that allocating a substantial budget for a digital center might be an unwise move at a time when the city of Fes and the region face pressing developmental and social challenges. Fes News reached out to development experts who expressed concerns that the project might fail to deliver the expected returns and could become an additional burden on the region’s budget without achieving its declared objectives.
Furthermore, there are growing concerns over financial transparency in previous partnerships between the Regional Council and the Euro-Mediterranean University, reinforcing the need for scrutiny and oversight. Civil society representatives have called for the intervention of the Court of Accounts to assess the project’s feasibility and ensure that public funds are allocated to initiatives with a tangible impact on citizens’ lives.
This debate also raises questions about the region’s investment priorities. Some believe that urgent projects requiring immediate financial support—such as infrastructure development, healthcare, and education—should take precedence over digital innovation hubs.
The responsibility now lies with the members of the Fes-Meknes Regional Council to carefully examine the agreement’s terms and ask the right questions to ensure public funds are directed toward impactful and sustainable projects. Fes News will continue to follow this issue and provide updates on council discussions and stakeholders’ positions.
Source: Fes News Media
