New opportunities in Morocco

Morocco’s emergence as a popular tourist destination is driving the creation of new properties across the country. According to the ‘Associated Press’, the north African nation is increasingly attracting highly sophisticated and fashionable visitors, becoming a focal point of activity for foreign property buyers and developers.

The news provider stated that many upmarket developments are being created in areas such as Marrakech, as this is one of the most popular locations.

Commenting on the city, it said: ''Marrakech is fast becoming a real estate hotspot thanks to its warm winters and priceless landscapes.'' The media outlet added that house prices in the city have appreciated very healthi;y in the last decade as a result of the extra interest from abroad.

The views, a Moroccan alternative to saturated Spain

Apart from the six Plan Azur seaside resorts, the Moroccan government has various other action plans, the move throughout the country, Tamuda Bay, one of them. This stretch of coast between Tetouanaise the city Fnideq just outside the Spanish enclave of Ceuta in the fishing town and beach resort M'diq is responsible for the 3.3bn Dirhams value of the investment (over 200 million pounds) to 5000 beds, two new 18 - Hole golf courses and upgrades to the existing three marinas. Details of residential property, such as mushrooms along Tamuda Bay and offers some tough competition in the saturated Spanish coast just a few kilometres on the Mediterranean.

Trevor Byrne, GEM Estates Moroccan experts commented: "The Moroccan government has the tactical move to give the coast an identity of synchronization is Tamuda Bay back in October 2006 and the clear intention is to create a very affordable alternative to the Spanish Costas. Golfer and yacht owners are a prime target and planners hope to secure a market share of the more established golf courses and marinas found in southern Spain and in fact along the French Riviera. Apart from the reliable climate, price is a driving factor with Tamuda Bay to undercut its rivals Residential Real Estate, a round of golf, moorings, yacht maintenance, cost of living and so on. The formula for success is spot-on. "

The site is such a place living less than 10km from the chic 450-berth Marina Smir the right to bear a similarity with their Spanish colleagues. Completed in 1992 by the Marina Group of Companies (a British company, established in 1982 has also the Marina Marbella) the plant can yachts up to 60m in length and styles itself as "port experience, just 10 miles from the road." Flanked by bars, boutiques and sand beaches, this is just one of the views strong selling point points, while the lovers of culture can in the old Medina of Tetouan, declared a heritage town of UNESCO or admire the unique blue rinsed old properties of Chauen, both reached on a short drive.

The site itself is part of Alcudia Smir Beach Resort, an exotic and popular location of the Morocco's unique character. An authentic Medina is located in the heart of the project with shops, cafes and restaurants and more than 30% of Alcudia Smir Beach Resort is in Andalusian style landscaping. Low-level and low-density, the gated development of the views is enviable position, within walking distance of a flat-rate sand beach and the on-site service. The residents can get a private lagoon-style pool and beautiful views of the Rif Mountains in one direction and Gibraltar and Spain mainland on the other side.

The 120 one, two and three bedroom apartments have European standard kitchens, walk-in closets, private terraces with far-reaching views, guarded parking and a guarantee ten years to build. Fusing contemporary and modern interiors have high ceilings and a true sense of space, while the adjacent five-star hotel opened more possibilities for leisure and pleasure. Open for holders of views, the hotel has a fitness center, business center, indoor and outdoor pools, spa, tennis courts and a conference centre.

Tangiers airport, less than an hour drive of the views of low-cost Royal Air Maroc subsidiary Atlas Blue, flies directly to London and several other European cities like Paris and Barcelona, and the 45-minute crossing from the southern tip of the ferry from mainland Spain is both efficient and regularly.

Prices in the views from 122027 euro and a two-year rental guarantee pitched at 5% is available as an option.

APM Terminals reports on developments in Morocco property

APM Terminals has assumed management and operational control of the container facility at the port Pecémin in the north-eastern Brazil, construction began in APM SP terminal in southern Vietnam, as well as APM Terminals Tangier takes delivery of its last three super post-Panamax cranes.

According to Etienne Roche, managing director of APM Terminals Tangier in Morocco property, indicators of the level at the port of Tangier-Med already compare with those of long-established, in full force terminals.

Import container activities started in February, and will increase significantly in coming months. Overloading of full containers, operation, which is crucial to the function of Tangier-Med-Port, has also seen rapid growth in volume. It is anticipated that one million TEU will be handled at the APM Terminals Tangier for the period from April 2008 to March 2009 - ahead of original projections when the subject is under development.

Air Arabia to open Morocco hub this year

Air Arabia budget carrier Air Arabia opens third centre in Morocco property in the later half of this year to join the European tracks, according to the airline's Chief Executive.

"We do not have the exact date yet, but we look at the operation, starting from our Moroccan knot sometime in the fourth quarter of this year. Overall, the challenge is to connect with Europe, North Africa and the Middle East more destinations across Morocco property, "Adel Ali, CEO of Air Arabia, reported Emirates Economy.

Sharjah-based carrier in January this year launched its second centre in Kathmandu, Nepal, in a joint venture with Yeti Airlines, the leader in domestic air travel in Nepal.

For its hub in Moroccon capital Rabat, which was originally scheduled Air Arabia ArabiaAir second hub, Air Arabia ArabiaAir already entered into a joint venture with Morocco's leading private carrier Regional Airlines and Bahrain-based investment bank, the Bank Ithmaar, According to Ali.

"Although I can not disclose its share in the joint venture, Air Arabia will be the main shareholder in the case and will have management control as well," he said.

"We originally were going to begin to Morocco to the center of Katmandu center, but as it turned out, Morocco, will be much more knots and thus it takes time.

"Establishment of the center in Kathmandu, on the other hand, was much faster process", added Ali.

In addition, the airline may be opening a fourth hub in the near future in order to begin flights to Morocco. "At present there is no firm plan, but if necessary we could look at the hub to fly to Morocco at a late stage. However, that was not a priority, as it is now. If at all, we can serve one or two points that would

Early fruit and vegetables exports grow 16% up to April

In world exports of early fruits and vegetables reached 60000 tons (MT) until April, which represents 16% growth compared with same period last year, a press release the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries announced on Tuesday.

Early fruit and vegetable production was 1.8Mn MT from the beginning of the current crop growing year, that is 13% increase over the same period last year and 29% increase compared to the average production over the past five years. Citrus fruit exports fell 5%, as only 488 000 million tons were exported.

Citrus fruits also growing after the downward course, as soon as 1.1 million tons were produced, which represents 14% drop compared with last year and 12% decrease compared with the last five years.

With regard to grain growing areas, the Ministry noted that autumn grain growing area has decreased by 11% compared to same period last year to stand at 5 million hectares.

900 000 of the total area devoted to the hard wheat, 1.9 million ha for wheat and 2.2 million hectares are for barley, according to which the Ministry expects that the decline in cereal production will stand at 50Mn quintals.

Dams for agricultural use of global opportunities filling in 6,4 billion square meters, compared with 7 billion sq. m. for a similar period last year, the ministry said.

Morocco takes part in the first US-Arab Urban Forum

North African country represented at this conference, held co-chaired by Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley, Mayor Omar Maani in Amman, Jordan, and Mayor Mohamed Sajid Casablanca, for mayor Chefchaoun (north) and Temara (center) together with Mr. Sajid .

The Forum, whose meetings are held at the University of Illinois at Chicago-Conference Centre, aimed at sharing information and implementing strategies to build local economies, which are competitive in a global society.

Stressing the importance of the meeting, Mr Sajid said, "this meeting is intended to facilitate the exchange of best practices, the requirement for sustainable and prosperous city."

For his part, Mayor Daley said that "as mayors and heads of municipal governments, we share the same problems. And, as technology continues to advance, we all face the challenge and opportunity, living and working in the global economy". "It is for this reason a meeting of this kind is very important. The information that we are here and sharing relationship we are building will pay enormous benefits for all our cities and our citizens in future."

Conference program focuses on three main themes: economic development and improving quality of life, education and youth, as well as environmental protection and sustainability.

Discussions will focus on the latest innovations that protect the local environment while improving the local economy, such as the development of green building standards, increase the use of renewable energy projects that reduce congestion and improve infrastructure for water and protect water resources practices.

More than 50 municipal leaders from the United States, Canada and the Arab world, participate in this meeting, including leaders from Algeria, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco property, the Palestinian Authority, Qatar and Yemen.

OFID lends Morocco USD 30 million to finance Fes-Oujda highway project

The OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID), provided by Morocco property USD 30 million loan for the construction segment Fes-Oujda highway in accordance with the agreement signed here Monday.

328-kilometre motorway will be invoked, as in 2010 the central city of Fes in the eastern town of Oujda, on the border with Algeria.

1 billion dollars a draft final phase of ambitious programs to achieve the 1500 km road network by 2010.

When finished, Fez-Oujda motorway will be included in future Maghreban motorway network linking Nouakchott (Mauritania) to Tobrouk (Libya).

OFID has provided Morocco fifteen loans since 1977, covering strategic sectors, such as drinking water, sanitation, energy, health, education, construction of dams and rural development.

300 000 USD loan agreement will be signed on May 5, between the two parties to finance a project to conserve Tambardoute perimeter in the southern province of Guelmim.