Morocco, which has initiated major reforms in social and political fields, stands as a model country in the Middle-East and North Africa (MENA) region, U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women's Issues, Melanne Verveer, said on Sunday.
    Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 2009 MENA-OECD Business Forum, held in Marrakech, the U.S. diplomat praised progress made by the North Africa country in the field of women's rights.

     She also described as "a major achievement" the new family code adopted by Morocco, which confirms its will to establish the principle of equality between men and women, while taking into account the requirements of modernity and respecting traditions and principles of religion.

       Mellan Verveer added that microcredit, which is an effective tool to fight poverty, contributes to improving the economic situation of women.

        She also urged women entrepreneurs in the MENA region to strengthen their cooperation through the setting up of a series of networks to exchange experiences and dialogue.