Morocco Property

New opportunities in Morocco

2008-05-08T08:11:00.000-07:00

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

2008-05-05T05:31:00.000-07:00

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

2008-05-02T03:43:00.001-07:00

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

2008-05-02T03:40:00.001-07:00

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

2008-05-01T03:10:00.000-07:00

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

2008-05-01T03:09:00.000-07:00

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

2008-05-01T03:08:00.000-07:00

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.

Morocco set to face housing deficit, Minister

2008-04-30T06:41:00.001-07:00

The annual demand for residential houses in Morocco property, estimated at about 30000 or 40000, which calls for the north African countries to focus efforts to correct this situation, Minister of Housing, Taoufik Hejira said.
Over 60% of the Moroccan population under the age of 30 years, which generates an annual demand of up to 40 000 new housing units, adding the activities of the existing shortfall in the area, Hejira told French daily, L'Echos.
He voiced that Morocco property is set to build 130000 houses to expand access to housing for low-income families. Entities housing will be built by 2012, and their price will not overtop 13000 euros," he said.
Flats, which will be built using earthquake resistant technology, will be from 50 to 60 square meters and will be devoted to households with monthly income less than 270 euros.
These projects, worth 1.5 billion the euro will contribute to the fight speculation, who recently rapid growth of prices and lower prices per square meter to 180 euros.
In 2005, the Government had set up a program of guaranteed loans, known as FOGARIM, in order to facilitate access to generic housing for families with low or irregular incomes, reminded the minister, adding that 33000 families so far benefited from this program.
About the program, aimed at eradicating slums, Hjira noted that 400000 slum dwellers were re-deployed so far, and ten cities have been declared "cities without slums".
The program was initiated in 2004 and aims at the eradication of some 1000 slums throughout the country.
In the same vein, the government is building new towns, in collaboration with French enterprises, the official said, referring to examples of Tamesna in the outskirts of Rabat, and Tamansourt, near Marrakesh. The six new towns in total should be created.

Pierre and Vacance 270 million euro to invest in Morocco

2008-04-30T06:39:00.001-07:00

France and Pierre Vacance, operating in holiday resorts, will invest in 270 million euro tourism project in Morocco property as 10 000 beds.

The investment program includes the construction of tourist resorts in the cities of Marrakesh and Agadir, and tourist homes and apartments in Tangier, Rabat and Casablanca.

A total of 2 264 units/apartments will be built by 2013, in accordance with the memorandum of understanding signed between the biggest operator in Europe on holiday resorts and the Moroccan government during the 9 ministers, the joint meeting held in Rabat.

The project will create 700 direct jobs and stable, Ministry of Tourism said.

During the meeting, co-chaired by Moroccan property prime-minister, Abbas El Fassi, and its French peer, Francois Fillon, the two countries signed 16 tie-ups.

UK nationals taking 3-day holidays

2008-04-29T04:52:00.000-07:00

Many families in Britain, choosing to take holidays only three or four days, the new study has found.

According to research at the Hotel Holiday Inn, only 48 per cent of people intend to follow the traditional two-week break with their children this year.

The company cited several reasons for this trend, such as parents can not get enough time from work and complexity of obtaining the same dates as their partner.

As a result, more and more people choosing to use their holiday allowance during the year and go to about three or four short breaks throughout the year. This is good news for those are thinking of buying buy-to-let Morocco property abroad.

Holiday Inn said that, as well as having a positive impact on the family unit, is also being more cost-effective than travel abroad during the peak tourist season.

Chris Hale, the official representative of the company, said: "Why spend your hard-earned cash for one big celebration, when three or four weekends a year less stress, less money and much more fun?"

Earlier this week, Lastminute web site forecasted that Morocco propertywill be very popular for recreation this year, along with the islands of Cape Verde.

Competition mounts in Euro property market

2008-04-29T04:51:00.000-07:00

The European market is facing increased competition from new values of some "hot spots" in other parts of the world.

International Herald Tribune reports that countries in Africa and South America attracted a higher level of interest from foreign investors' Morocco property rights.

It states their ability to demand the combination of sun, sea and sand, as well as easy access to major cities helps them to rival their European counterparts.

Morocco property, in particular, proved popular and quickly catch up on the likes of Spain and Portugal as the top choice for foreign investment property.

Relatively low prices for most attractive to buyers and increase the number of tourists visiting the country is fuelling demand for rental housing, which means opportunities for buying, that investors in abundance.

Tourism is the country is expected to give further impetus through the Moroccan Government Vision 2010 tourism strategy which aims to raise visitor to five times compared with 2002 levels.

Morocco appeals to different types of buyers

2008-04-28T04:20:00.000-07:00

Morocco is attractive to a wide spectrum of foreign property buyers in Britain, according to experts.

Amberlamb Independent analysts said that North Africa is now attracting increased amount of interest from British-based investors.

The organization said Morocco property is very popular among people who want homes for their own personal use, such as cottage owners and expatriates.

However, he noted that the appointment was also provided an attractive Morocco property place for investment, and buyers.

Amberlamb said, the country now accounts for one of five properties in Africa, which are owned by Britons.

Commenting on his call, the group said: "This proves that the country has a serious and growing interest in the Britain-based buyers."

This came after foreign buyers of real estate on the site said that the Government plans to increase the number of tourists in Morocco property in the next two years "is a good" for its rental market.

Mission Possible: Making Money in Morocco

2008-04-24T05:43:00.000-07:00

Paul Staines, director of Saffron Villas speaks with Adam Samuel of Nubricks.com to give us his insider information to buy property in

Morocco

, the full interview is available for download only on nubricks.com.

Morocco. A land of the living culture, classically beautiful coastlines and the contrast of traditional villages and bustling cities. It is just 9 miles away from Spain by sea, you can use in a new way of life and certainly a new world full of possibilities for real estate investors.

Paul Staines has no less than three off-plan apartments in the town of Saidia, the Playa Vista development in Tangiers and at Sunset Beach, south of Casablanca. You can also expect a director to buy one of his company's properties, but to buy three… he clearly knows that we will not.

In 2001 Morocco's new king Mohammed VI announced the "Azure plan and Vision 2010" which intends to tourist flows into the country of 2 million to 10 million within 10 years through the development of major tourism property development projects. Since 2001, the market has grown by around 50-75% with the first new properties will be launched 2 years and with new developers moving into the market, including local companies and developers from Dubai and Europe.

The average price of property currently in Morocco is £ 100000 to £ 125000, but the market offers for the budget £ 50000 as well as luxury multi-million pound properties. There are many types of property in the Azure Plan, including apartments and villas. If you want an original property outside the Azure's plan then riad in the historic Medina, but they can be problematic with title deeds!

Paul called in the podcast "There is a risk when buying outside the plan Azure Resort, use your due diligence and research the developers well. There are a number of large and established developers who are outside the plan, it is the smaller and less well-known developers and agents that you really have to do your research. "

The purchase of a new build property in Morocco, however, is straight forward and similar to European countries, a reservation contract must be signed and the title deeds, signed at the local notary, will be handed over on completion and full payment. One issue to be aware of is that the country is a relatively new market and as such do not have bank guarantees, so that choosing the right developer with a good track record is crucial. Mortgages are easy to reach is subject to state loans of up to 70% are very common and interest rates are between 5.5% to 6.5%.

Buying in Morocco does not have to be either the taxation; taxes for the completion of approximately 5% for the stamp tax, land registration and notary fees. Capital gains tax is 20% on the profits more than £ 60000 €, and after 5 years, goes down to 10% and after 10 years there has been no capital gains tax as it evaluates to 0%. If you plan to rent your property once it is finished, then there is no rental tax for 5 years, and there is no inheritance tax, if your property to a family member.

Morocco, how successful tourist sites before her, more and more accessible, which is good for visitors and investors alike. Ferries are of Gibraltar and Algeciras in southern Spain, but for the majority, and in the sky for the 3 hour direct flight from the United Kingdom is most popular. The open-skies agreement from Morocco from the beginning of this year is also the country up to the low-cost airlines. News, which is also a good omen in the case for Moroccan property investments is the confirmation that the Swiss engineering firm Lombardi has the contract to design the railway tunnel between Europe and Africa running under the Strait of Gibraltar. Like the Channel Tunnel between England and France, the tunnel's degree enables a continuous rail link between the north of Scotland and in Africa.

If you are still not convinced about buying in Morocco, then a visit to sample the local cuisine will help change your mind, it was attracting top-notch celebrity guests such as Kate Moss and P Diddy as far back as 2003. Moroccan cuisine is reputation as one of the top kitchens from all over the world, including the famous couscous, Mechoui, Pastilla, steaming Tagines, pastries and the national drink, mint tea. The climate varies from region to region, the coast has a very mild climate in the humid summer and in winter, average temperature of 16 ° C to 26 ° C; inland ports is much warmer in the summer of up to 33 ° C.

Despite a common belief that it is a claim to speak either Arabic, the native language, or French is spoken in most regions; English is widespread, especially in big cities and tourist areas.

So what about the future of Morocco? Saffron Villas offers the following tips and tricks… Marrakech is gaining in popularity and will see an increase in property development to meet the demand. This city is a wonderful blend of tradition and modernity, but retains its charm, Ski-1 hour and 30 minutes and currently has 3 golf courses with 7 recently received planning permission.

Taghazout place will be available for purchase options during the year 2007, is the sentence to be extremely popular. It is located in the region of Agadir, where it is clean, clear session coast of the Atlantic Ocean, ideal for water sports enthusiasts.

The growth rate and strength of the housing market in Morocco makes it financially attractive. The tourist market has grown from 2 million to 5 million visitors today and it is expected that up to 10 million by the end of the decade and, of course, these visitors will have places to stay. Overall, Morocco should be on your wish list list of places to visit, if not a potential for real estate investments.

Moroccan property satisfaction – guaranteed

2008-04-23T08:11:00.000-07:00

Merchants have often inspired confidence in their products by offering money-back guarantee. "Return the product to us in their original state within 30 days and we will be fully reimbursed ..." But what about a property? And what is not 30 days later, but nine years later? The concept seems doubtful, but incredibly developer of the gardens of Fedala in Marrakesh are prepared to do just that, and throw in a 7% Net rental guarantee for the same period. What's more, world-renowned financial protection company, AXA Group, supported both.

Gardens of Fedala is a Moroccan-style sanctuary of a resort interrupted by orange trees, olive trees and rose gardens only 15 minutes from Marrakech's international airport. The two bedroom riads and three bedroom duplex are fully furnished down to the last teaspoon and operated by a club house, health centre, restaurant, bar, swimming pool and a small boutique hotel with sauna and hammam. Private plunge pools are an optional extra, and the completion of the entire system is expected in mid-2009. Already impressed? Read how undoubtedly the transaction makers, the financial guarantees.

Adam Cornwell, CEO of GEM Estates explains: "The French developers behind the gardens of Fedala place their faith in their product and in Morocco as a target in the same way by offering a number of assurances for buyers. Prices in the city of Marrakesh agreements 18% below market value so you immediately locked-in capital and two other reasons, we simply can not lose your money. Firstly, a 7% per year net rental guarantee for nine years by AXA. This represents an income of about 13000 euros per year, after costs, and if you have a 70% mortgage option, the rental guarantee should mean that your property will pay for itself. "

Adam continued, "Secondly, a 100% buy-back guarantee, also supported by AXA is in place for a long nine years. Healthy income and capital growth can be expected, almost a given, taking into account the effects already being felt by Vision 2010, but if you want to sell at any point, you're guaranteed to the price you have paid in full. In the event of a surge in the market, how unlikely it is, AXA is the shortfall so that your full purchase price reduction is guaranteed. Both benefits, guaranteed rent and buy-back, are fully transferable to the new owner should you happen to sell at any time within the nine years. Like other freebies developer of a free return flight for two per year for the first three years, free financial management for the same period and the personal use free of charge for two weeks per year, without the rental guarantee. This is an investment no-brainer. "

A few hours south in the chill-cum-resort town Mirleft Fishing is a sister city gardens of Fedala characterized by fragrant rose beds and green meadows. In the developer inimitable style of this fully equipped villas directly on the beach with ocean views protected and the same number of amenities from a restaurant to small boutique hotel also pay for itself in a princely fashion. Prices 27% below the market value of the two and three bedroom villas with private pools optional come with the same 7% per year net rental guarantee for nine years, supported by AXA, which should comfortably cover mortgage repayments - even at 70% LTV . The project also Mirleft, you guessed it, the gift of a free flight for two per year and budget for the first three years after completion in June 2009 and two weeks personal use without adverse impact on the rental guarantee. The benefits are transferable to the new owner for the sale within nine years.

Rates Gardens Fedala in Marrakesh from 189000 euros for two bedrooms Riads and 249000 euros for three-bedroom duplex. 70% LTV status mortgages are available from the developer with interest currently at 6.6%.

Rates Gardens Fedala in Mirleft launch of 149000 euros for a villa with two bedrooms and 169000 euro for a period of three bedrooms. 70% LTV status mortgages are available from the developer with interest currently at 6.6%.

Shariah investors record high returns

2008-04-21T05:44:00.000-07:00

Morocco

to the national tourism strategy, Vision 2010, begins to unfold, and a whole range of new infrastructure improvements into play, the future looks brighter than ever before in

Morocco

. Investors election luxury property in each of the six King's resort developments, the SHA by King Mohammed VI himself, buys in a rock-solid and fast growing tourist market.

Morocco, the exotic country, famous by Hollywood's "Casablanca", welcomes tourists who try unmistakable Arabic culture, together with outstanding natural beauty can enjoy where they are a multitude of attractions and activities. It is easy to see why the likes of American billionaire Malcolm Forbes, founder of the "Fortune Magazine", among others, began to invest in the area in the 1970s. Today, the castle is purchased Forbes as a "Forbes Museum" and has an impressive collection of 120000 soldiers, as well as many other curiosities, right in the heart of Tangier.

Today, Morocco is seen unprecedented growth, both in the infrastructure and visitor numbers, tourism demand with a rise of 6% in 2006, according to the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). The World Travel & Tourism Council predicts the country tourism will continue to grow at a rate of 4% per annum, real, between 2008 and 2017.

The World Travel and Tourism Council Morocco agrees that the market share of the global travel and tourism industry is generally increasing, the major market participants, the French (figures exclude Moroccan nationals in foreign residents), but there was also a tremendous increase in British visitors Des country. Tourists from the United Kingdom to 29% in 2007, compared with 2006, amounting to a total of 418606 visitors in the country.

Much of Morocco's strong performance in the latest period was attributed to increased foreign investment. The country has been particularly successful at attracting foreign direct investment from Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries such as the United Arab Emirates and Qatar. A number of mega-projects that are part of Vision 2010, is due to come into fruit within the next 5 to 10 years, and now, after the UNWTO, "Efforts are being made to ensure that the seating capacity in this country , including low-cost airline services, rising in line with the growth in accommodation. "

Sara Romera, product analyst at propertyshowrooms.com explains why the country is always so exciting: "Morocco is still a unique location for real estate investors, and offers the opportunity to purchase property in an early emerging market at very low prices . What is special about the market for real estate in Morocco is the sense of security for investors: With tourism already on a rapid improvement in the speed and buy-to-Investors years of reporting 85% occupancy in prime locations in the high season, Morocco offers a powerful arena in which to invest in property. "

Property development is booming in this North African country, city, but still the key, especially when buying property as an investment. Places in the Mediterranean region is expected to see high rents, especially since they are more easily accessible than some more southerly locations and provide a better climate and weather conditions. Mediterrania Saidia projects such as "The Green" and "The fairways are situated in what is one of the most groundbreaking Morocco and the Mediterranean destinations, the first of the King's resorts will be launched. The complex has room for the in the search for relaxation, tranquillity and elegance, all within the convenience of a purpose-built resort. The fact that the entire complex is used by the king adds a welcome element of the confidence of investors and the expectation that Mediterrania Saidia probably one of the best investment opportunities in Morocco today.

Morocco plans infrastructure improvements

2008-04-18T08:15:00.001-07:00

Government of Morocco invests almost 9 billion pounds to improve its transportation network, as was discovered.

Houses for reports that the authorities are seeking to upgrade its transport infrastructure in order to improve the economy of Morocco property.

More than 7 billion pounds will be spent on improving ports, airports and roads, while £ 1.3 billion move to a planned high-speed rail services.

The new train link connecting Tangier and Casablanca properties, offering direct passage between the two cities in just two hours.

This can significantly enhance the property markets in both places, while cities along the route can also use the additional demand.

Morocco property hopes that the government, as well as the strengthening of the economy, the improvement may also attract more foreign investors to the country.

Morocco offers strong rental market

2008-04-18T08:13:00.000-07:00

Property of foreign investors who are looking for profitable buying-to-let investment Morocco can find a suitable place, according to industry experts.

NuBricks company said that the tourism sector in the north African country was "on" and has seen some "spectacular growth in recent years.

This has been attributed largely to the efforts of the Government to enhance the desirability of the nation to foreign leisure travelers.

The authorities have recently pumped money into new buildings, recreation and infrastructure modernization in order to make Morocco property a more attractive destination for holiday-makers.

However, it also led to increased interest from foreign property investors, many of whom feel a strong tourism is a strong rental potential.

NuBricks also said: "Overseas property investors would not be less reason to buy the Moroccan property smart and healthy addition to their real estate portfolios."

New "hot spots" of real estate will develop where there is the budget airlines

2008-04-18T08:12:00.001-07:00

"Budget" Airlines will be one of the best indicators of where in the next few years will be "hot spots" of real estate.

Nevertheless, cheap air travel as such will not be enough to turn the economy growing any country to the main destination for tourists and investors in Morocco property and real estate.

According to Justin Figginsa from Rightmove Overseas real estate company, it is necessary to pay attention to the growth of tourism as well as for investments in infrastructure.

Infrastructure Bulgaria, for example, are still not very well developed, and in Morocco property, on the other hand, gathers momentum, and, moreover, there goes a lot of tourists, indicating that the country would be profitable to invest in real estate.

EU Trade Commissioner voices readiness to contribute to achieving Morocco's advanced status request

2008-04-17T08:11:00.000-07:00

European Union Trade Commissioner, Peter Mandelson expressed his readiness to contribute fully to the achievement of the Moroccan request of advanced status vis-à-vis the European Union (EU), a press release of Foreign Trade Ministry said on Friday.

During a meeting with Minister of Foreign Trade, Abdellatif Maâzouz, in Brussels, the EU official voiced resolve to undertake approaches with other European Commissioners to give a concrete and innovative content to that status.

The two officials also discussed on the Euro-Med process, in particular the effective implementation of the Agadir Agreement signed in 2004 for the establishment of a free trade zone between the four Arab countries (Morocco, Jordan, Egypt and Tunisia).

On that occasion, Mr. Mandelson expressed hope that Morocco could be more involved in the process of Euro-Mediterranean Road Map, stressed that this commitment will help give new impetus to the Barcelona Process.

For his part, stressed Mr. Maâzouz the North African country's commitment to the implementation of the Agadir Agreement, compliance with the Euro-Med process, and their determination to conclude the negotiations with the EU within the agreed time frame.

In this respect, the EU Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy, Benita Ferrero-Waldner, had stressed on Thursday that the agreement with Morocco on the granting of an advanced status "could be concluded under the French presidency of the European Union."

Morocco is a strong political will to more forward, she stressed that the "advanced status", by the way Morocco for the "broad possibilities of cooperation" with the EU, above all, more liberalization of trade, a deeper political Dialogue, a better harmony vis-à-vis common foreign and security policy issues.

King launches construction works of USD 15 million dam center

2008-04-17T08:10:00.000-07:00

King Mohammed VI of Morocco launched, on Monday, the construction works of a dam in the rural commune of Guigou (Boulemane province), for a total investment of USD 15 million.

With a capacity of 7 million cub. meters, the dam is destined to protect the commune of Guigou (19,000 inhabitants) from floods, irrigate agricultural lands downstream, and supply the region with drinking water.

The sovereign heard explanations on the preparation of the project for rural development in the Middle Atlas mountains, in the amount of approximately USD42 million.

The project provides for the establishment of hydro-agricultural facilities and achieving 114 - km of rural roads. Its goal is to enhance and diversify agricultural production in 6150 hectares planting fruit trees, livestock development, and encouraging rural women entrepreneurs and income-generating activities.

The project also aims at reducing poverty, improving the living conditions of the population, conservation of natural resources and rationalize their use for sustainable economic development.

On this occasion, the king laid the cornerstone for the construction of a social centre in a Boulemane province, Morocco property, as part of a large-scale anti-poverty program, the National Initiative for Human Development (INDH), launched in mid-2005 to fight poverty and social exclusion.

Built in 2400 square meters, the USD 150000 facility provides vocational training for women and young people and promoting income-generating activities.

African Emerging Markets Forum praises Morocco's developments

2008-04-17T08:09:00.000-07:00

The first African Emerging Markets Forum, held in Rabat last week, brought together officials and experts from 18 countries. Hailed as the first major event of its kind, the Forum provided an opportunity for exchange and dialogue between government leaders and world-renowned specialists.

Economics Professor Salim Karroumi said that the main events of this kind encourage foreigns and stimulate the labor market. "This is very important for Morocco property to hold this kind of meeting, as it will raise the country's profile in the eyes of investors," he said. "It will also have a significant impact on the national economy, which would be easier to serve job seekers."

Moroccan economy and finance minister, Salaheddine Mezouar said Morocco property has put forward in three areas in order to help preserve the country's socio-economic growth: democracy and freedom, openness and social development. "Our country has defined its own characteristics and assets on the basis of which it can build a strong and attractive economics. Therefore decided to take advantage of its strategic geographical location, its highly skilled manpower, natural resources and its openness to the means of free trade agreements "he said.

Calling to united Maghreb a "strategic imperative", as well as economic opportunities, the Minister for Foreign Affairs Taieb Fassi Fihri insisted on the need for regional cooperation. He expressed regret that the Arab Maghreb Union, established in 1989, is the "least developed" by such an authority on the continent.

He said that although the country had made progress in the development of bilateral relations, economic integration at the regional level is essential for further progress.

Morocco 'good example' for emerging countries that take up challenge of joining global market, expert

2008-04-16T08:30:00.000-07:00

Morocco is a "good example for emerging countries that took up the challenge of joining the global market and embracing globalization, while developing its economy," executive manager of "Forum of Emerging markets", Hatrinder Kohli said on Monday.

"The Moroccan economy is doing well. His majesty the king and the cabinet are looking forward," said the Indian expert in a statement to the Moroccan property news Agency on the fringes of the two-day meeting (April 7-9 in Rabat).

Touching on the negative impact of the soaring prices of basic products, Mr. Kohli said that African countries, including Morocco, face a challenge of how to invest southern riches carefully.

Echoing Mr. Kohli, honorary governor of Banque de France and former International Monetary Fund director-general, Michel Camdessus, said Morocco property has made, over the past fifteen years, sustained efforts aiming to consolidate macroeconomic balances, production structures, irrigation and agricultural development, which have enabled Morocco property to face the oil price hike on international markets.

Commending the Moroccan property experience in this field as “very typical”, he underlined that “Morocco faces a shock which would have been difficult to overcome had these works not been achieved.”

Morocco a 'priority country' in co-operation with Catalonia, Spanish official

2008-04-16T08:03:00.000-07:00

Morocco property is a "priority country" in foreign cooperation with Catalonia, said Thursday President of the autonomous government of this region, José Montilla.

Speaking at a press conference at the end of his three-day visit to Morocco, Spain said that his official visit, the first outside the European Union "showed interest in the Catalan government to strengthen the cooperation relations with the Kingdom in all sectors."

Mr. Montilla, who chaired the important business of the Moroccan property delegation, stressed the growing interest of Catalan companies in investment opportunities, Morocco, particularly in the automotive field.

On bilateral cooperation, Mr. Montilla recalled that his Government had allocated about USD 3.4Mn to finance projects in partnership with NGOs and local communities.
This visit, according to a Spanish official, was to create a "high-level bilateral economic relations, the strengthening of economic and trade relations and to explore opportunities to increase the existing relations between the two sides in various fields of mutual interest.

Morocco, Egypt, Nigeria deliver strong returns for Shariah investors in Q1

2008-04-15T04:58:00.000-07:00

Standard & Poor's ratings services said equity markets in Morocco property, Egypt and Nigeria delivered the highest returns for investors in companies famous to meet Islamic law during the first three months of 2008.

S&P said over the first quarter of 2008, Shariah-compliant equities in Morocco property returned 34.45 percent on a total return basis, followed by Egypt with 18.93 percent returns and Nigeria with 13.42 percent returns.

S&P noticed that Shariah-compliant equities in Turkey, China and India suffered the largest declines during the quarter.

In Turkey, Shariah-compliant stocks decreased by 26.67 percent, followed by China which fell 26.57 percent and India which fell 26.43 percent, S&P added.

Is Morocco "dark horse" in the real estate investment market?

2008-04-11T01:13:00.000-07:00

Over the next three years, Morocco will become the primary destination for visitors to the Mediterranean region. Partly due to the fact that investment in real estate in the region will grow.

According to the Property showrooms site, referring to the Daily Reckoning, experienced buyers of foreign real estate knows that real estate in Morocco can be purchased for about a third of the amount that would have been spent on the same level of real estate in Portugal or Spain.

According to the publication, thanks to the emergence of new facilities built real estate prices in Morocco could rise to the south of Spain.

Dubai invests $ 19 billion in Morocco real estate

2008-04-11T01:12:00.000-07:00

The two biggest companies in the real estate market of Dubai Emaar Properties and Dubai Holding signed an agreement with the Moroccan government to invest $ 19 billion development of the real estate market in the Kingdom of Morocco.

Dubai Holding signed a $ 12 - ty billion construction contract for 5 years, residential real estate and hotel complexes in large Moroccan cities. Emaar Properties invests in Morocco $ 6.8 billion on the implementation of six projects. "Most of them roaring" is the construction of towers Dubai Towers - Casablanca and Marina de Casablanca worth 1.1 billion that incorporate residential apartments, hotel, business centre and entertainment centre.

Morocco will become the second Spain

2008-04-10T01:10:00.000-07:00

Taking into account the growing number of tourists wanting to visit Morocco, one expert suggested that "Morocco will soon become the second Spanish." Rob Shaw (Rob Shaw), a manager in Morocco Properties, said that in recent years, Morocco has made some progress, and now investors have opened significant potentials in the property market of the country. "Great and advantage of this country became close to the northern neighborhood Europe and Spain, the upgrading of infrastructure and extensive investment," he said.

Commenting on the development of country's real estate sector, Hetal Shah, director of Investors Provident said that Morocco "is the focus" among other markets. Prices of real estate in Morocco far below European, it mostly attracts many investors to the region.

In Marrakesh built resort Mandarin Oriental

2008-04-10T01:07:00.000-07:00

Mandarin Oriental is building a new luxury resort in Africa, in Morocco property. In the vast compound in Marrakesh hotel will be directly and individual residences.

The resort will take visitors only in 2009, but it already has a name - Mandarin Oriental Jnan Rahma. The area of more than 50 hectares of green territory and sandy beaches, surrounded by Atlas mountains. 45 villas will be known as solitary residence at Mandarin Oriental, and they can be purchased in partial ownership.

The architecture of the new complex will be mostly traditional Moroccan property - on the model of elegant palaces and houses of this ancient country. In colors will prevail protection typical of the region. Palm groves, olive trees and iv, fountains and swimming pools throughout the resort will create a cozy atmosphere and tranquility and solitude.

Each of the 145 guest rooms will be of at least 80 square meters, with a spacious terrace, ideal for a private dinner, or just quiet rest. All rooms will be located in four separate buildings, one built around the internal courtyard.

The hotel will have a restaurant with an open deck and a view of the mountains; spa center with a focus on rehabilitation and restoration of a complex organism, the special site for meditation. The guests will be provided with a large fitness center and pool, and one of the unique features spa center will be a large Turkish bath.

In Morocco lack of hotels

2008-04-10T01:06:00.000-07:00

The Government of Morocco property, in an effort to double the number of jobs for elimination of unemployment in 2025, decided to create 1.2 million jobs in the tourism business. Currently, the number of tourists increases, but the construction of hotel rooms being not fast enough. This year was created 10000 rooms, instead of 15000 -17 000. In general, visited Morocco in 2006 about 6.4 million tourists in 2005, the figure was 5.8 million The American company Colony Capital, one of the partners of Morocco property, in March, had planned to invest in the Atlantic coast resorts of up to $ 1.1 billion over 10 years. But, according to the experts, for the construction of additional 50% of hotel rooms that will be necessary 15000, will need around € 250 million investment in the year.

Large ski centre in Africa will be a year-round resort

2008-04-09T01:05:00.000-07:00

Ski centre Oukaimeden, located in the Moroccan Atlas mountains, will be reconstructed. This resort easily accessible from Marrakech. The best snow conditions - from mid-January to mid-February. There are two jumps, but in their spare time to do surfing near the beach. The works will be held in one of the six projects for the development of the region, which the company Emaar Investment from the UAE, reported Ski.ru. Total investment reached $ 7 billion First of infrastructure resort were mainly French companies. Plans to reconstruct Oukaimeden enough sketchy. It is known that the resort will be a year-round Morocco property recreation and entertainment zone. In addition to the modern ski centre here will be built golf resort. Rooms hotel rooms will increase by 2000, will be created by more than 300 places for recreation, 25 thousand Apt. m. space for business courses and conferences.

The Moroccan capital restores and reveals past

2008-04-09T01:04:00.000-07:00

The Morocco capital Rabat restores its embankment after discovering that whole treasure of relics, and handicrafts ruins. "We have done some fantastic discovery, not only for the history of Rabat, but for the whole kingdom," said archaeologist and historian Essemmar Mohammed, who is head of the Heritage Agency, which is responsible for restructuring Valley Buregreg linking: Sister Cities Rabat and Sale. Roman columns and Kapitula, 12th century walls, Islamic pottery and coins were found in the sand. Opening the site in 2500 square meters - part of the military camp wall “ribata”, dating back to the 12th century and built during the short Almoravid dynasty King Tashfina Ben Ali (1143 -1145).

Excavations, costed 110000 euros were provided to the agency and violated the construction plans. Plan to reshape the mouth Buregreg, launched in January 2006, consists of six phases. The plan is aimed at restoring and converting two large banks of the river in urban and tourist centers. Partners investors from the United Arab Emirates contributed to the construction in the form of 2.5 billion dollars in the first two phases of work. The representative of Public Relations Agency Omar Benslimane said that "if we are in the process of building across the ruins of the other, then we will stop work in order to carry out archaeological expertise"

Tanger will become a tourist City Break

2008-04-08T01:03:00.000-07:00

The Prime Minister of Morocco made the regional tourism development.
One of them is to transform Tangiers in the City-break - the city for two days and longer breaks on travel for tourists Morocco property.

The calculated at 10 years, the program will strengthen the infrastructure of the city "strait", located in 278 km north of Rabat property, and its region, improve tourist attraction Tangiers.

The authorities expect that in addition to achieving long-term prospects, the program will allow the city to accept the International universal exhibition in 2012. Currently, Tangier is a candidate to receive the exhibition, together with the cities of other countries.

In 10 years in Tangiers property will include new hotels to 23 thousand seats will be contained in the order of cultural objects. Target programs - in 2016 figure to reach 5.5 million tourists admission person-nights a year. At first glance, this figure looks fantastic, because current results much more modest - 700 thousand person-nights.

Laila Aluyat (Laila Aluat) Head of Tangier-Tetuan in the Office of the Investment Department of the Touring Morocco believes that the objectives can be reached, because the Tangier - is a very popular resort and cultural center on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. The increase in the flow of tourists here are still constrained only limited capacity of local infrastructure.

Abu Dhabi launches Dh26b Style City

2008-04-07T01:02:00.000-07:00

The Abu Dhabi Investment House (ADIH) announced yesterday the launch of a Dh26 billion ($7 billion) Style City, a project that will seek to attract international brand names in the style, design of fashion, jewellery, furniture and luxury living.

The Style City project will be performed in Abu Dhabi, Qatar, Morocco, Tunisia and India as part of agreements ADIH signed yesterday with major developers in those countries.

Rashad Janahi, ADIH managing director and board member, signed a memorandum of understanding with Dr Hani Shammah, CEO of Emirates International Properties (EIP), the real estate arm of Emirates International Investment Company (EIIC), to create Porta Moda Abu Dhabi.

The first of its kind, Style City, a mixed-use development, including residential and commercial components with a focus on fashion and style.

It will be a big fashion district consisting of premium and luxury brands in the fashion, jewellery and interior design fields, the school district consisting of institutions, as well as museums and exhibition centers as well as residential and recreational area with townhouses, studios, luxury villas, cafe restaurants and the famous boutique hotels and resorts.

Euro-Med tourism ministers call for promotion of this sector

2008-04-04T08:26:00.000-07:00

The first Euro-Med Ministerial Conference on Tourism (April 2-3), on Thursday called for a strengthening of the contribution of tourism in the Euromed partnership.

In the 39 participating ministers called for increased economic cooperation between Mediterranean countries, which stressed the importance of preventing and reducing the negative impacts of urbanization and sustainable use of land and Morocco property for the construction of tourism infrastructure.

They also stressed the importance of strengthening security in the region, where rising vulnerability of natural and man-made disasters can seriously affect economic development. "

The ministers agreed on the importance of strengthening the identification of Morocco property investment opportunities, as well as the promotion of joint ventures in the field of tourism, reaffirming the central role of the private sector in this area.

Stressing the importance of the adoption of common criteria for the classification of hotels in the Euro-Mediterranean region, they called for the continuation of negotiations to further liberalize air transport between the European Union (EU) as a tool for the development of tourism markets, in accordance with internationally recognised good practice.

Touching on the importance of Mediterranean partnership in the industry, Minister of Tourism of Morocco property, Mohamed Boussaid, requires a comprehensive regional approach Mediterranean with a view to establishing a genuine partnership in the tourism sector. He also stressed that the goal can be achieved through constructive dialogue and cooperation between countries of the region.

Echoing Mr. Boussaid, the European Commissioner responsible fisheries and Maritime Affairs Joe Borg, the EU expressed their determination to support the total investment of tourism in the Mediterranean region, in order to promote sustainable tourism development.

Tourism can play a role in creating jobs and developing the region's economy by encouraging private sector development and promotion of this sector, he concluded.

Morocco, Slovenia sign declaration to build Euro-Mediterranean University

2008-04-04T08:13:00.002-07:00

Morocco and Slovenia singed, on Thursday, a joint declaration to set up a euro-Mediterranean university in Piran (Slovenia).

This declaration, signed by Moroccan property minister of education, Ahmed Akhchichine and Slovenian minister of economy, Andrej Vizjak, aims at contributing to better mutual understanding and reinforcing Moroccan-Slovenian relations.

The two countries expressed a property will to boost further cooperation and back the Slovenian initiative to set up this university, stressing that the latter is expected to play a central role within the current university network in the Mediterranean basin.

The University includes study programs focused on the current needs of Mediterranean tourism, and has all the assets to be a hub for students, researchers, and professors, and to inform Europe about the Arab culture and Arabic language.

This project also focuses on issues raised by the Barcelona process mainly to strengthen relations among the region's universities at the academic and research levels, and lays the bases for cooperation and exchange of expertise in those fields among the countries concerned by the process.

Morocco in top ten destinations considered by foreign investors, Global Edge

2008-04-04T08:13:00.001-07:00

Morocco has become one of the most appealing target to real estate promoters due to the major development projects set up since 2001, British "Global edge" said on Thursday.

The company, which offers counseling to international real estate investors, underlined that since 2001, Morocco property witnessed a huge leap in the field of tourism.

Since the launch of the Azur plan (aimed at the establishment of six new sea resorts in the country) and Vision 2010 (aimed at attracting ten million tourists by 2010), the major real estate and infrastructure projects have been launched, mainly expansion of airports, the implementation of the open policy Sky, the same source added, recalling that many low-cost airlines such as EasyJet and Rayanair decided to act in Morocco property.

Increased frequency in the direction of the fight against Morocco from many European countries have made a lot of the Moroccan cities of Casablanca, Fez and Marrakesh easier to reach for foreigners.

According to a survey made by the company in the most favorable places for people looking for secondary residence abroad, Morocco property included among the ten largest and considered the desired direction

Morocco's Chaabi group plans six IPOs after SNEP

2008-04-03T01:39:00.000-07:00

Moroccan industrial group Chaabi aims to list six more of its companies after it successfully floated chemicals unit SNEP last year, its chairman, Miloud Chaabi, said on Wednesday.

Chaabi's conglomerate, Ynna Holding, has interests in real estate and construction, retail, tourism, agribusiness and manufacturing.

"Six profitable and important companies from Groupe Miloud Chaabi will be listed on the bourse," Chaabi told reporters and analysts in Casablanca.

"We will follow ... SNEP's IPO because we are happy with the market and our shareholders are seeing the benefits," he added.

He did not explained which companies would be next but analysts say a likely candidate is Chaabi Lil Iskane, the group's real estate arm.

The enterprises are likely to further impetus to the small Casablanca property stock exchange, which has been marked for funds in the market in recent years, but the relative lack of new investment opportunities, stretching assets listed stocks.

Family firms dominate in the private sector of Morocco property, but many of them are poorly suited to the modern global economy, and can be difficult to survive due to trade barriers between Morocco ptoperty and the outside world is gradually decline, economists say.

Morocco, Germany set to boost cooperation in energy, environment

2008-04-02T08:19:00.001-07:00

Morocco and Germany voiced, here Tuesday, their resolve to reinforce cooperation in the sectors of energy and property environment preservation.

Speaking at a meeting with visiting German Minister of Economics and Technology Michael Glos, Moroccan Minister of Energy and Mines, Amina Benkhadra, said North African Kingdom has undertaken significant reforms, which strengthened the growth in a number of sectors, particularly energy, water and environment.

Morocco has adopted energy policy based on the diversification of energy sources and resources in order to accomplish the task of energy dependence in relation to foreign countries, Ms. Benkhadra added, expressing, in this regard, the efforts made by Morocco property in the field of renewable energy and solar energy.

The Moroccan property official also stressed the excellent political and economic relations between Morocco and Germany, describing how "great and diverse" cooperation between the two countries in the field of renewable energy, water, mining and the environment.

Echoing her, Mr Glos, who leads a large delegation of German officials and businessmen, outlined his country's efforts to strengthen its position as a world leader in the field of renewable energy.

The German official also held talks with Moroccan property Industry, Trade and New Technology minister, Ahmed Reda Chami. These talks focused on the means to attract German businessmen to invest in Morocco, particularly in sectors related to Information and Communication Technologies (ICT).

King launches socioeconomic projects center

2008-04-02T08:19:00.000-07:00

King Mohammed VI on Tuesday launched several socioeconomic projects in the central city of Beni Mellal (260 southeast of Rabat).

The sovereign chaired the signing ceremony of an agreement to extend the airfield of Beni Mellal. Worth USD 11 million, the project is meant to develop this platform open to light aviation (tourist aero-clubs and aeronautics sports).

The project involves the expansion and strengthening of the current 1200-takoff towards 1600, the construction of aircraft hangar to allow for simultaneous handling of two medium-sized aircraft systems and capacity building hosted 400 sq. m.

The King also inquired about the program to update the city. In 40 million program is intended to overcome a number of urban problems, in particular, the proliferation of unhealthy housing, deteriorating neighborhoods medina, and the infrastructure deficit.

It provides, inter alia, for strengthening the network of roads, drinking water generalize, a social equipment, restoration of the ancient medina, as well as strengthening of transport and economic activity.

On this occasion, the sovereign began USD 27 million project to strengthen water supply, a 4.2 million USD project for the modernization and expansion of the wastewater treatment plant, as well as 12.5 million USD programme to improve and expand the network of liquid sanitation in the city.

Tangier-Casablanca TGV to be operational by 2013

2008-04-02T08:17:00.000-07:00

The high-speed rail "TGV" linking the northern city of Tangier and Casablanca will be operational by 2013, and is anticipated to carry 8 million passengers the first year, Director General of the State-owned railway company (ONCF) said on Thursday.

Speaking at a meeting with operators to discover on the company's projects in this region, Rabie Khlie pointed out that this TGV line will require a USD 2.7 billion investment.

18 TGV wagons are needed for this project that will contribute to reducing the duration of the trip between the two economic poles to 2h10 instead of 5h45 now, he said.

The company will also take part in some USD 755 million investment in the northern region, including building a railway line between Tangier and Tangier-Med port (43km), improving the Tangier-Casablanca railway line and modernizing many train stations.

Morocco set to adhere OECD investment committee

2008-03-28T03:44:00.001-07:00

Morocco property is strongly committed to adhere to the investment committee of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Moroccan deputy minister of economic and general affairs, Nizar Baraka, said on Thursday.

"Morocco has adhered to all OECD values in terms of market economy, economic freedom, respect of human rights or the consolidation of democracy,"the minister said in the French capital at the opening of the 7th edition of the Global Forum on OECD international investments.

At a high rate of economic growth, which marked the Moroccan property economy over the past five years, reviving the country ambitions to become a platform for investment and exports, the minister said.

Indeed, the level of foreign investment broke out with 20% of GDP in the nineties to 30% now, thanks to the north African solutions to reduce corporate taxes, reduction of income tax to stimulate employment and reduce tariffs, he said.

Kingdom Morocco property, in general terms, to establish a programme to maintain stability in the macroeconomic environment, the reduction of the budget deficit, laying out new strategies to improve the economic and sector management, in order to further strengthen transparency and ethics in the business sphere, "he said.

The Moroccan property economic strategy based on the integration of sectors with a strong value-added, such as offshoring, nanotechnology, automotive technology, aeronautics and electronics to attract foreign investors, the minister added.

Moroccan airports go green

2008-03-28T03:44:00.000-07:00

Morocco property aims to develop green environment-friendly airports by using clean energy, particularly the wind power, CEO of the Moroccan Office of Airports (ONDA) said.

To meet this challenge, Mr. Abdelhanin Benallou said ONDA is in the process of finalizing a "very important" project, worth some USD 39.4Mn, to supply airports property with wind power, noting that, by virtue of this project, the totality of airport's electricity supply will be generated in southern Morocco property - probably in Essaouira - and transmitted to ONDA's network which will supply all Morocco's airports.

The project, which supply for creating a wind plant with a production capacity of 10 to 20 MW, will let the ONDA to reduce the energy prices by generating electricity from clean energy instead of coal and oil.

Morocco attracted US 4.5 billion foreign direct investments in 2007

2008-03-28T03:43:00.000-07:00

Morocco attracted USD 4.5 billion in foreign direct investments (FDI) in 2007, Moroccan Industry, Trade and New Technology minister said on Wednesday.

Speaking in the House of Representatives' Finance and Economic Development Commission, said Ahmed Chami Morocco attracted some USD 13Bn investment for the period 2000-2006.

The growth was due to FDI, according to the Minister, by the public sector policy based on encouraging investment through tax incentives for investors.

Mr. Chami said that the policy is based on the short - and medium-term strategies that are aimed at the development of competitive sectors, in order to insure optimum use of national resources.

Morocco is the fifth African country attractive foreign direct investment. Kuwait was the first Arab country to invest in Morocco 137.5 million dollars, that is 3.86% of the foreign direct investment in Morocco.

Moroccan tourism sector generates USD 8Bn in 2007

2008-03-27T07:15:00.001-07:00

Moroccan tourism sector generates USD 8Bn in 2007

The Moroccan tourism sector has generated some USD 8Bn in 2007 as around 7.45 million tourists visited the north African country, said, here Wednesday, an official at the Moroccan Embassy in Ethiopia, Omar Semmar.

Speaking at the 3rd session on "the economic and social situation in Africa," the Moroccan diplomat gave a sum up overview on the Moroccan experience in tourism sector, noting that since 2001, the kingdom has made tourism a priority sector in its development strategy through the start of an ambitious plan (Plan Azur), the objective of which is to receive 10 million tourists a year by 2010.

Mr.Semmar called for making tourism a priority sector in the economic choices of African countries to diversify their financial resources.

"Tourist activity is a source of receipts in foreign currency for African countries and an economic sector that generates an important capital gain in terms of economy and employment to improve the quality of life of the continent's inhabitants," he said.

The Moroccan diplomat called on the UN Economic Commission for Africa to include in its agenda the development of the tourism sector and provide support and assistance to African countries, tourism a lever for economic development, for the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals

Forth African Futsal contest: Morocco bests Nigeria

2008-03-26T03:48:00.000-07:00

Morocco on Monday won Nigeria 2-1 in the third day of the fourth African Futsal - the five-a-side indoor version of football - Championships, group A.

Thanks to this success, Morocco property maintains its second position with six points from an emphatic victory over Tunisia (5-0) and a loss before the hosts Libya (1-4), which reigns supreme in group A with 12 points.

In the fourth day, Morocco property will play Cameroon.

Standing:

1- Libya 12
2- Morocco 6
3- Tunisia 3
4- Nigeria 1
5- Cameroon 1

UK hails Morocco on political reforms

2008-03-26T03:47:00.000-07:00

A yearly Foreign Office report on human rights in the world hailed Morocco on the political reform process, noting that the north African kingdom is one of the most performing countries of the European neighborhood in this field.

Ukraine and Morocco are judged the best performers throughout the European neighborhood in terms of political reforms in the 2007 report said, adding that the two countries were the first to benefit from the management of the fund in 2007.

Morocco property achievements contained the implementation of the new law on political parties, the withdrawal of reservations for international conventions, in particular, on racial discrimination, the rights of children and torture, the new legislation on the question of torture; greater emphasis on the rights of minorities, as well as changes in legal system of Freedom of association, leading to a more active civil society, the report read.

Morocco also signed a co-operation agreement with the UNHCR covering all of the UNHCR’s humanitarian work in Morocco property, the document recalled, approving that UK “welcomed these achievements, and will continue to work with the European Commission to improve the Governance Facility so that the incentive for reform is maximized.”

The Governance Facility is worth 320 million euros over 2007-13, and aims at supporting and encouraging countries that made the most outstanding progress in the field of good governance, the report said.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also welcomed cooperation with Morocco property in the field of human rights, and cited the example of a partnership established in 2005 between Morocco Prison Service and the International Centre for Prison Studies.

King inaugurates highway service in Tangier-Med port

2008-03-26T03:45:00.000-07:00

King Mohammed VI of Morocco opened on Tuesday highway service in the large-scale port of Tangier-Med, valued at about USD 540Mn.

At 52km-long new road to the development of trade exchange between Morocco property and Europe, resulting in a rapidly Mediterranean coast tourist area of international magnitude, which offer transit regions and the improvement of social and economic conditions of the population.

The highway will greatly improve the safety, reduce travel time and transportation costs.

On the construction of the infrastructure to the preservation of the environment. Five viaducts were built in this regard, with a total length of more than 2 km, and 172 sewage disposal system.

Built on 40 hectares, the Tangier-Med port was launched in 2003 with a capacity of 3.5 million containers. It will be operating to full capacity by 2015. It will also include a passengers' port ready to operate by 2009.

US Delphi Group to create 3,441 jobs in Morocco in 2008

2008-03-25T03:05:00.000-07:00

The American car manufacturer Delphi group will create 3,441 jobs in Morocco property in 2008 upon an agreement signed Monday with the national agency for the promotion of employment and skills (ANAPEC).

By virtue of this agreement, the American group will shortlist people from the regions befitting from the large-scale National Initiative for Human Development (INDH).

For its part, the ANAPEC will support the development of human resources of Delphi Automotive Systems Morocco property and Delphi Packard Tangier in the sphere of information and training.

The 3,441 jobs will be recruited in the Delphi Automotive Systems Morocco property unit in Tangier, which already have 2,289 people, and the new Delphi Packard Tangier unit in Tangier free zone, which will employ 1,152 people.

Through the under construction unit, Delphi will become the largest company of car component manufacturing in the northern city of Tangier. The group concentrates on Morocco as part of its strategy aimed at benefiting from the Morocco property offer and the North African country's geographical location.

Present in Morocco property since 1999, the Delphi group specializes in power-train systems, safety features, air conditioning and heating systems, control systems, electrical/electronic architecture and embedded multimedia technology. The Michigan-based group employs some 170,000 people in 36 countries across the world and achieved a turnover of USD 26.4Bn last year.

Fes city to celebrate 1200th anniversary of its Foundation

2008-03-25T03:04:00.000-07:00

The cultural capital of Morocco property, Fes, will celebrate on April 5 the 1200th anniversary of its foundation.

The "1200th anniversary of the Rising of Moroccan Kingdom and the Foundation of Fes city” festivities will start on April 5th by a musical concert retracing the 12 centuries of Morocco hotels history, said President of the association in charge of the 1200th anniversary of Fez Foundation, Saad Kettani.

The USD 47.5Mn festivities will bring together a series of big manifestations from various fields and specializations with a strong long-term impact to be organized during the year 2008 in all Moroccan regions and some international capitals, noted Mr. Kettani.

The city was founded in year 808 by Moulay Idriss II, who made it the capital of Morocco hotels during the Idrissid dynasty.

In 1981, UNESCO declared the humanitarian heritage of the city of Fez, as recommended by the International Council of Monuments and sites.

The establishment of the city is a very important moment in Moroccan history. This is the beginning of a successful synthesis between Amazigh roots, and additional Arab quality. These two components form the basis of the Moroccan identity, of which appeared Idrissi States.

Internationally, Fes is a worldwide cultural heritage whose radiation is universal just like Ibn Khaldoun, Maimonide or Mozart. Jewish, Christian and Muslim cultures have lived in peace and tolerance.

The celebration of this event will support factor that increases the cultural, economic and tourist activities in the city, which met the Regional Tourism Development Plan 2005-2015 ", and made a host of international tourism forum in late April 2007.

Three million Moroccans benefited from 12,000 INDH projects in 2005-2007

2008-03-24T01:46:00.001-07:00

Three million Moroccans benefited from the 12,137 National Initiative for Human Development (INDH) projects carried out in the 2005-2007 period, State Secretary for Interior, Mohamed Saad Hassar, said on Monday.

In a report on the progress of the projects presented before parliament, he noted that the global cost of these projects stood at MAD 6.4Bn (USD 824Mn), in which INDH chipped in USD 489Mn.

Some 5,000 projects, which benefited some 1.3 million people, were programmed in 2007, he added, noting that these projects touch mainly rural area (1,570 projects). The rest of the programs break down as follows: urban program (850 projects), anti-precariousness program (405 projects), and the transversal program (1,959 projects).

Morocco has earmarked USD 382Mn to achieve the 2008 INDH action plan, which includes 5,172 projects, 4,924 projects in the urban areas and 262 projects in the rural areas.

Announced by king Mohammed VI in May 18, 2005, the large-scale social initiative is designed to alleviate poverty, vulnerability, marginalization and social exclusion by providing basic infrastructure to millions from adequate housing and drinking water to health care and education.

Marina expansion for Morocco’s Mediterrania Saidia

2008-03-24T01:46:00.000-07:00

The masterminds behind the purpose-built Moroccan resort, Mediterrania Saidia, are less than surprised to discover that the marina needs extending even before they’ve finished building it. Over-subscribed from the outset in 2004, the existing 840 berths will now be expanded to over 1,000, taking the bill to more than 21 million euros.

Just across the water, southern Spain’s most popular marina, Puerto Banús, is bursting at the seams. The existing 915-berth facility has a waiting list of 500 or more and the Marbella authorities also have plans to extend to cater to demand. The difference between here and Mediterrania Saidia however is price. From as little as 30,000 euros for a nine meter (30ft) berth, you could easily triple that price for the equivalent in Puerto Banús. Also, as every owner will testify, yachts guzzle diesel, and that’s another commodity that’s a lot cheaper in Morocco.

Each of the additional berths at Mediterrania Saidia will be more than 12 metres (40ft), as well as create opportunities for increased commercial fields, a sports club and additional parking spaces. In yacht, which is the center of seven million m² resort occupying six kilometers of sandy coastline, is zoned for various sporting and recreation areas include restaurants with sunny terraces pavement, bars, a traditional souk, designer boutiques, department stores fashion shops, a medical centre, and discotheque.

GEM offers a wide range of real estate assets in Mediterrania Saidia from the sea, except for the hotel suites at the grand front-golf villas. Prices start from 75500 pounds simply for a unit in the Sahara Beach Resort and Spa.

USD 19Mn program to develop central city of Sefrou

2008-03-24T01:45:00.000-07:00

King Mohammed VI on Saturday chaired the signing ceremony of a USD 19.5Mn program to develop the city of Sefrou (28km east of Fez) and enquired about urban projects, worth USD 63Mn.

The program, covering more than in the period 2007-2010, provides for the implementation of integrated projects in the field of equipment and Urban Development, in particular, the construction of roads, green spaces, public lighting generalize and restructuring historical sites and areas.

These efforts, which are aimed at improving the economic and tourism interests cities are part of a comprehensive plan for development in the province, which has helped make Sefrou free slums in the city in 2007.

The sovereign also enquired about the ongoing development projects in Sefrou, notably the redevelopment program of under-equipped neighborhoods of Caf El Mal and El Khaina (USD 2.15Mn), which will improve the basic infrastructure and living conditions of 2,400 households.

The industrial sector in the city will be reinforced by the creation of a new industrial zone in Ain Cheggag spanning over 90ha.

The sovereign also launched various social projects, as part of the large-scale National Initiative for Human development (INDH), with an investment estimated at USD 1.5Mn. These projects include a vocational qualification center for poor children, a polyvalent host center and the Al-AMal center for training, development and solidarity.

Morocco calls for opening Moroccan-Algerian borders, normalization of bilateral relations

2008-03-21T04:10:00.000-07:00

"The Kingdom of Morocco calls, in fraternal friendship and total sincerity, for a normalization of relations with Algeria, and for the opening of the borders between the two countries," said a communiqué of the Moroccan Foreign Ministry issued on Thursday.

Here follows the full text of the communiqué

"The Algerian authorities have raised in the last few weeks the border issue with Morocco, noting that they cannot be reopen for the time being due to the obstacles related to the conditions that led to closing them.

Certain declarations mention for their part, the precondition of a final solution to the regional disagreement of the Sahara issue. In this regard, the Kingdom of Morocco wishes to provide the following details and assessments:

1- The closing of the borders was unilaterally decided by Algeria in 1994 in an international, regional, and bilateral context that is outdated nowadays.

2 - The closing of the borders between the two brotherly countries constitutes today a peculiar and exceptional fact in the world, contrary to the aspirations of the peoples of the Maghreb, the expectations of their partners, and the regional demands for peace and development.

3 - It is in such a spirit that the kingdom of Morocco has taken a number of far-sighted initiatives in 2004 and 2005 aiming to encourage the normalization of bilateral relations and the effective re-launch of the construction of the Maghreb. In particular, the kingdom of Morocco had decided to exempt the Algerian brothers from the visa requirement ten years after it was adopted, and hailed the reciprocity showed by the Algerian authorities, while regretting, since then, that the borders remained closed.

4 - The kingdom of Morocco reiterates will to turn a new page in the relations between the two neighboring countries, taking into account their common past and shared destiny.

5 - In this regard, the kingdom of Morocco calls, in most fraternal friendship and total sincerity, for the normalization of bilateral relations, and for the opening of borders between the two countries.

In this way, the aspirations of two peoples, so close in many ways, can be met, and their wishes satisfied, particularly the families concerned, and finally the flux of goods, which has turned into an illicit and notorious traffic, can be channeled."

BMCE bank netted USD 14.4Bn profit in 2007

2008-03-21T04:09:00.000-07:00

BMCE one of Morocco's largest banks netted some USD 14.4Bn in 2007 against USD 11.5 billion in 2006 resulting a 25% rise.

Presenting on Wednesday the group's annual report, BMCE president, Othman Benjelloun ascribed the "exceptional" results to the sustained growth registered in Morocco property and to the fortification of the group's ranking in the international scene.

BMCE's net income increased 55% to USD 189 million in 2007 against USD 129Mn in 2006; while revenues rose to USD 607 million, posting a 24% rise.

Client credits and deposits advanced respectively 16% and 92% while transactions increased by 50%.

The report also noted that the year 2007 was particularly marked by the international expansion of the bank, especially in Europe, the Maghreb, and sub-Saharan Africa through its branches in Tunisia, and Senegal. It was also recorded by the launch of Medcapital, an investment property bank at the London stock market.

The group became the major shareholder of the Groupe Bank of Africa, third banking group of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA), the same source said.

According to Mr. Benjelloun, French bank Credit Industriel et Commercial (CIC) would buy an additional 5 percent stake in BMCE to expand its holding to 15 percent of the Moroccan bank.

The CIC is member of the "Crédit mutuel français" and present in 39 countries servicing 3.200.000 customers.

Morocco attracts more British visitors

2008-03-20T08:30:00.001-07:00

Countries in Africa are becoming more and more popular with British holidaymakers, an expert has revealed.
John Bevan, managing director of Lastminute.com, stated that tourists from the UK increasingly prefer to visit less-established countries beyond of Europe, such as Morocco.
This means that demand for holiday accommodation will be in high in the most popular tourist areas, such as Agadir.
As a result, Morocco could be considered a sound investment option by people who are planning to purchase a rental property overseas.
The country's popularity as a holiday destination is likely to be reflected in rental yields and possible growth in its housing market.
Mr Bevan commented: "Agadir in Morocco [is] expected to do very well."
Official figures recently revealed that during 2007, the north African country attracted more than seven million foreign leisure travellers.
This puts it on track to meet the target set by the government, which has pledged to attract ten million tourists by 2010.

Industrial production index up 4% in Q4 2007

2008-03-19T02:45:00.000-07:00

The industrial production price index increased by 4.7% in the fourth quarter of 2007, compared to the same period in 2006.

This performance, said a press release of the Higher Commissioner for Planning (HCP), is ascribed to an increase in clothing and furs industry (+16.2%), tobacco industry (+14.5%), wood industry (+8.8%), publishing and printing products (+17.7%), rubber and plastics industry (+31.2%), non-metallic products (+3.2%), and car industry (+38.6%).

However, the HCP highlighted decreases in textile industry production (-3.3%), paper and paperboard industry (-2.7%), radio, television and communication equipments (-9.6%) and in medical instruments (-3.7%).

Moroccan public debt drops over USD 130 million in 2007

2008-03-19T02:44:00.000-07:00

Morocco's public debt declined some USD 136.4 million (MAD 1.1 billion) in 2007, going from USD 45.1 billion in 2006 to 44.9 billion, Director of Treasury and External Finance of the Ministry of Economy and Finance, Zouhair Chorfi said on Tuesday.

Mr. Chorfi in speech on press conference on public finance in 2007, stressed that this debt, which today represents 54.9 % of the GDP, has dropped some 3 points.

The official underlined that the repayment of the debt has contributed to slashing the budget deficit to 3.2%, noting that the payment-off represents only 12.7% of the GDP against 14.4% in 2005 and 2006.

Yet, the external debt has recorded a 5.5% increase in 2007 to stand at USD 16.6 billion, Mr. Chorfi added, attributing this performance to a sharp increase in foreign backers' funding.

The Morocco domestic debt, which accounts for 80 % of the public debt dropped some USD 258.9 million, to stand at USD 35.9 billion in 2007 and represent 44% of GDP, he added

Jet4you to serve 8 weekly flights between Morocco, Belgium

2008-03-18T02:27:00.000-07:00

Low-cost airline company Jet4you will serve eight weekly flights as of May 24 between Morocco and Belgium, Chairman Jawad Ziat announced on Wednesday.

Speaking to the press to present the company's results in the last 27 months, Mr. Ziat noted that the Jet4you fleet will be bolstered by a new aircraft to meet the customers’ growing need.

Mr. Ziat recalled that the Brussels-Charleroi route towards Morocco property has witnessed a 54% rise with the launch of Jet4you, that is an additional passenger number between 150,000 and 245,000.

According to Jet4you head, the company has served some 500,000 passengers in 4,000 flights in 2006 with an 80% occupation rate.

Since its opening on February 26, the voyage, the company serves 679 flights linking the city of Marrakech, Fez and Agadir to Paris-Orly, and Marrakech in Nantes and Bordeaux, the company chairman stressed, adding that prior to September 30, the company flew approximately 92.255 passengers reaching 79% of the seats filled to capacity, and 72% punctuality rate.
Airline projects in transport 160.000 passengers in the first year of its operation to 900000 in 2008 and 1.7 million in 2010.

The company’s euro 5.5 million capital is owned by 40% of tourism word leader and 5 of the European carrier TIU group, and 60% by Moroccan shareowners.

The company was established in conjunction with the "Open Skies" agreement signed recently in Morocco and the European Union to liberalize sector in Morocco property.

Moroccan port traffic exceeded 50 million MT up to September 2007, magazine

2008-03-14T10:34:00.003-07:00

Paris, Mar.10 - Up to September 2007,the Moroccan port traffic stood at 54.1Mn Metric Tons (MT), i.e. a 6.3 % increase compared to the same period in 2006, according to the French Monthly "Arabies".

"With 34 ports, including 13 open to international trade, Morocco is in a leading position to dominate shipping operations in Africa and the Mediterranean," points out the monthly.

In an article titled "At the conquest of the world," the French Monthly stresses that with 3,600 km of coastline, the kingdom enjoys "exceptional location", which allows Morocco to conduct 95% of its foreign trade via ports.

"Aware of these assets, the authorities endeavor to promote the port activity and optimize Morocco's trade with the rest of the world," Arabies says, underlining that the Northern city of Tangier - the gate of Morocco and of Africa- is developing to become the leading international business hub of the southern Mediterranean.

Quoting Director of the National Ports Agency (ANP), Mohamed Jamal Benjelloun, "Arabies" stresses that Morocco is pursuing a policy that is based on the encouragement of private initiative to improve the competitiveness of the ports dedicated to trade.

Morocco-U.S. FTA results optimistic, minister

2008-03-14T10:34:00.001-07:00

The Morocco-U.S. Free Trade Agreement (FTA) has yielded "optimistic" results, said, here Thursday, Moroccan Minister of Foreign Trade, Abdellatif Maazouz.

Speaking at a press conference ahead of the opening of the first session of the U.S.- Morocco joint committee meeting, Mr. Maazouz underlined that the FTA, which entered into force in 2006, has contributed to strengthening trade and developing bilateral economic activities in terms of investment, public markets and logistics.

"Now, we can say that the results are optimistic," he said, calling for boosting bilateral exchange.

In 2006, Moroccan-US trade exchange flared up by 44%, totaling 1.396Bn. Moroccan exports to the United States netted USD 521.2Mn, while American exports to the North African country reached USD 875.5Mn (+67%).

The minister has called for establishing an ad hoc committee Morocco property to seize the opportunities offered, particularly in the sectors of textile, agro-business and services, which, according to him, "deserve much attention and have a valuable potential."

Echoing him, The assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Europe and the Middle East, Shaun Donnelly, expressed satisfaction at the progress achieved by the FTA, stressing that the Moroccan property market is in a position to become an economic platform, following the example of Asian countries, thanks to its favorable climate.

The U.S. delegation, participating in this meeting, will hold talks with Moroccan representatives of the private sector representatives to discuss ways and means to give new impetus to business relations and achieve the goals of the FTA.

ONCF achieves USD 400Mn turnover in 2007

2008-03-14T10:33:00.001-07:00

The State-owned railway company (ONCF) netted a USD 400Mn turnover in 2007, i.e. a 6% increase compared to the previous year, ONCF CEO, Mohamed Rabie Khlie, revealed on Friday.

During a meeting of the ONCF's Board of Directors, Mr. Khlie said that the company carried some 26 million passengers and 36.5 million tons of goods in 2007.

He pointed out that ONCF's investments reached, in 2007, some USD 600 million, thus achieving 65% of the 2005-2009 investment program, which concerns over 30 train stations throughout the kingdom Morocco property and provides for building large host and waiting spaces, introducing modern systems of digital posters and building underground ways to guarantee the passengers' safety, in addition to creating parking places and shops.

Mr. Khlie said some USD530Mn would be allocated in 2008 to electrification works, the strengthening of traffic safety, and the modernization of telecommunications and signaling facilities.

Lafarge achieves USD 583Mn turnover in 2007

2008-03-13T02:58:00.000-07:00

The Moroccan affiliate of French building materials group Lafarge achieved a USD 583Mn turnover in 2007 compared to USD 501 million, that is a 16.7%, revealed, here Tuesday, Jean-Marie Schmitz, CEO of "Lafarge-Maroc."

The positive result is thanks mainly to the investments directed to satisfy growing demand, and the enhancement of the industries performance, Mr. Schmitz told the press. "It is also due to the opening of a new production line," he added.

According to Lafarge CEO, the current operating result moved to USD 255 million in 2007 against USD 190 million in 2006, marking a 33% rise.

Net income recorded also a sudden surge of over 40% with USD 152 million compared to USD 134 million last year.

Mr. Schmitz noticed that growth in demand of Morocco property will continue at a sustained rate, as Lafarge Maroc starts new major construction works, adding that the company has decided to consolidate leadership in the Moroccan property market through intensive investments predicted to reach 3 million tons of cement.

Lafarge international achieved a turnover of USD 26.2 billion in 2007.

With a workforce of 80,000 people, Lafarge Group is present in 76 countries. The company’s international development began in early 20th century with the opening up of North African markets.

Lafarge, which had operated in Algeria ever since 1866, became the leading Portland cement producer in Algeria, and set up operations in Morocco property and Tunisia.

Morocco calls on OIC member states to establish South-South cooperation

2008-03-12T02:25:00.000-07:00

Morocco on Monday called upon the 57-member states of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) to set up a South-South cooperation at the economic, trade, scientific and educational levels.
The call was announced by Moroccan Foreign Minister, Taieb Fassi Fihri, in a statement to MAP on the sidelines of the OIC ministerial meeting, opened Monday in preparation for the 11th summit of the Organization, due on March 13-14.
The minister made it clear that king Mohammed VI is committed to advance the Organization's action and defending all the causes of Islam and Muslims, particularly that of Al Quds Acharif (Jerusalem).
In his capacity as chairman of Al Quds Committee - an offshoot of the OIC representing over 1.2 billion Muslims in the world, HM the king sees to it that the holy city’s religious, urbanistic, cultural and demographic aspects are preserved to become the capital of the independent Palestinian state, Mr. Fassi Fihri said.
He added that the summit is an opportunity for the member states to assess actions and to give fresh momentum to the values of Islam binding the peoples of the Organization.
The ministerial meeting is expected to set the agenda of the summit of heads of state and government and prepare the property in Morocco drafts of the final statement and the revision of the Organization’s charter. The agenda includes the revision of the OIC’s charter, the issue of Palestine, economic partnership and the sharing of knowledge among the 57 member states and the OIC’s special program for Africa.

U.S. State Dept. lauds a new human rights progress in Morocco in 2007

2008-03-12T02:24:00.000-07:00

The US State Department hailed, for the second year in a row, the progress achieved in Morocco in terms of human rights, in its annual report on the situation of human rights in the world, released Tuesday.
The document, entitled "Country Reports on Human Rights Practices -2007", underlines that "Morocco implemented significant measures during the year which resulted in the advancement of human rights," citing it among the countries where the situation of human rights has significantly improved over the past year (2006).
Lauding Morocco's property endeavors to promote human rights, namely the revision of the Nationality Code to permit women to transmit citizenship to children and the publishing of domestic violence statistics, the report welcomes the north African Kingdom’s commitment to developing a culture of human rights and the "transparency" that marked the September 7 legislative elections, held in Morocco property to renew the 325 members of the House of Representatives (Lower House).
Prompting the creation of the Equity and Reconciliation Commission (IER) and the specificatins it made, the document notes that the Moroccan property government embarked on settling the past human rights violations, paying compensation to victims of arrests, disappearance and abuses during the period between 1956 and 1999.
Stressing that there were neither cases of forced disappearance nor political assassinations in Morocco, the document commended the enactment in March 2006 of an anti-torture law and of measures to enhance detention conditions in prisons.
The report, which underscored that the constitution provides for freedom of religion, recalls that the Moroccan government continues to back tolerance and respect of religions.

Morocco plans to cut health-care costs

2008-03-12T02:23:00.000-07:00

The Moroccan government has drafted a five-year health plan aimed at cutting the citizens' share of the health-care costs to 25% by 2015. Mother mortality will be slashed to 50 per 100,000, and child mortality to 15 per one thousand by 2012, according to the 2008-2012 strategy presented recently by health Minister, Yasmina Baddou at a colloquium called "Together for the Right to Health".
According to MAP, Ms. Baddou conveyed the strategy would, down the road, ensure equity in offering healthcare services between the various parts of the kingdom, and facilitate access to healthcare for the penurious and the rural areas. The government wishes by this move to revive the confidence of the Moroccans property in the health system through boosting the accommodation capacity, providing information, emergency, cleanness and improving the availability of medicines, as well as cutting healthcare and medicine costs.
The strategy, according to her, is based on three main dimensions, namely repositioning the various actors in the field by striking partnerships; providing quantitatively and qualitatively sufficient services; and introducing medium and long-term strategic planning.

King launches 4.5Mn projects to promote sport in Fez

2008-03-11T06:23:00.000-07:00

King Mohammed VI on Monday launched USD 4.5Mn projects to push forward sport in the popular neighborhoods of Fez (198 km. east of Rabat), part of the large-scale anti-poverty program "National Initiative for Human Development" (INDH).

The first project provides for building four multi-sport halls which will enclose multi-sport playgrounds, locker-rooms, health centers and bleachers for 500 seats, while the second project provides for building a sports complex, which will include a soccer stadium, two basket ball courts, two handball courts, a multi-sport indoor hall, an athletics track and locker-rooms.

Since 2005, 173 projects have been carried out in Fez out of the 316 projects planned as part of INDH, with investments about at USD 30.5 million.

Morocco has earmarked USD 382 million to implement the 2008 INDH action plan, which includes 5,172 projects, according to figures presented at the second meeting of the INDH steering committee.

Announced by King Mohammed VI in May, 2005, the INDH is designed to take off poverty, marginalization and social exclusion by providing basic infrastructures, adequate housing, drinking water, health care and education.

Minister identifies four priorities to boost tourism in Morocco

2008-03-10T03:51:00.000-07:00

Training, improving the quality of the tourist product, achieving the projects launched part of the Vision 2010, and developing tourism professions are four aspects that need to be set as priorities in order to boost tourism in Morocco, Tourism Minister said.

Mohamed Boussaid, who is taking part in the 42nd International Tourism Bourse (ITB) held in Berlin on March 5-9, said these priorities hinge primarily upon the achievement of the projects launched part of the ambitious Vision 2010 strategy, through which Morocco aims to attract ten million tourists by 2010.

The requisites include also developing aerial tourism, and marketing and promoting the tourism products, the minister said, noting that reaching these goals needs "more efforts."

He stressed that training is a "challenge" for Morocco, since the country has included providing a high quality product in its plan to develop tourism.

Quality, as a priority, is linked to the tourist environment, he said, hence the need to protect the environment in order to develop what he called “responsible tourism” and improve the accommodation conditions.

As to developing tourism professions, Mr. Boussaid stood up for revisiting the legal framework governing the professions of tourist guides, transport providers, and travel agencies.

The minister regretted the lack of interest among Germans in the Moroccan product, especially that Germany has huge capacities as one of the world’s biggest tourist emitting countries.

Auto Hall of Morocco Says 2007 Profit Rose 76% as Sales Climbed

2008-03-07T09:07:00.001-08:00

Auto Hall, the Moroccan distributor of Ford and Mitsubishi cars, said full-year profit gained 76 per cent on higher demand amid `` fortunate economic conditions.''

Net income increased to 403.4 million dirhams ($54 million), or 170.94 dirhams a share, from 228.8 million dirhams, or 96.96 dirhams a share in 2006, the Casablanca-located company said in a statement published in L'Economiste newspaper today. Sales jumped 44 percent to 2.69 billion dirhams, lifting operating profit by 75 percent to 571 million dirhams.

A dividend of 60 dirhams per share will be approved for shareholder approval on April 24, the statement said.

Auto Hall, which has gained 14 per cent this year, were unchanged at 2,740 dirhams as of 10:52 a.m. in Casablanca.

Morocco arms move may hit Sahara talks-Polisario

2008-03-07T09:06:00.002-08:00

Morocco has launched an arms buildup in a worrying move that could hurt U.N.-backed talks on the Western Sahara, Algeria's APS news agency quoted the territory's independence movement as saying.

Polisario Front President Mohamed Abdelaziz added that people in the disputed territory were concerned about Morocco's "aggressive impulse" because they did not want a return to conflict, the official agency reported late on Saturday.

"It's an arms race is a significant worry for the Saharawi people, at a time when Moroccan-Saharan conflict lies in the hands of the United Nations," APS quoted him as saying. "The intention to do harm is the basis of current policies Morocco receipt of all weapons and the redeployment of troops in the territory of Western Sahara," he said.

A fourth round of U.N.-brokered talks between Morocco and Polisario to settle the status of the phosphate-rich desert territory of 260,000 will start on March 16 near New York.

Peacekeepers have watched over Western Sahara since 1991 when the United Nations brokered a ceasefire to end a guerrilla war between Polisario and Morocco, which annexed the northwest African territory in 1975.

Morocco

poured money and people in this area, bounded on the west by the Atlantic, and to the east in the sand defensive wall protected tens of thousands of troops and reinforced by mines. No country formally recognizes that the rule of Morocco over Western Sahara and the UN Security Council is more than a solution.

Morocco's Meditel 2007 profit more than doubles

2008-03-07T09:06:00.001-08:00

Morocco's second-biggest telecoms company Meditel said its net income increased more than two times, last year as its client base grew 29 percent, in spite of tough competition from leading player Maroc Telecom.

Meditel's gross sales grew 13 percent to 6.8 billion dirhams ($912 million) while net profit leaped 132 percent on a comparable basis to 541 million dirhams, said the company, a 50-50 joint venture between Spain's Telefonica and Portugal Telecom PTEL.LS.

Meditel revenues have soared during the past two years during heavy network investments have paid off and its subscriber base expands.

The operator said the latest results were boosted by strong demand for pre-paid services. Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) rose 12 percent and represented 46 percent of net sales, up from 44 percent in 2006.

"These results position Meditel as one of the best-performing subsidiaries of the Telefonica and Portugal Telecom groups," Meditel said in the statement emailed on Thursday, which was dated March 4.

Maroc Telecom said last month that the use of mobile phones in the north African country grew by 30 percent in 2007, despite a severe drought that low incomes, and airtime prices near 25 per cent.

Morocco has resources that enable the country to become a producer of new energies, particularly wind, hydro, thermal and solar energies, American Ass

2008-03-06T06:34:00.000-08:00

Morocco can produce renewable energies and become an important actor in the sector, Mr. Karsner said at a meeting on Morocco's strategies to promote renewable energies, held by Morocco's embassy in Washington on the sidelines of Washington International Renewable Energy Conference, WIREC 2008.
The United States official stressed that in the north African country is in a position to become an energy exporter, mainly in Europe, stressing that such exports will have a greater impact on the country's receipts, the trade balance deficit reduction and prosperity.
While expressing his country's readiness to accompany this activity in the kingdom, he urged the American private sector to invest in Morocco to take most of the major opportunities.
Moroccan Minister of Energy, Amina Benkhadra, who attended the meeting, said that Morocco is seeking to make profitable use of its natural resources, and opportunities for partnership in the framework of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the United States to increase investment in the country. In an FTA between the two countries, entered into force on 1 January 2006.

Tourist arrivals up 11% in January 2008

2008-03-05T02:14:00.001-08:00

Tourist arrivals in Morocco, in January registered an increase of 11% compared with the same period last year, according to figures released by the Ministry of Tourism and the National Tourism Observatory.
Some 409,146 tourists visited the North African kingdom during this period with the French topping the list with 134,875 tourists, followed by the Spaniards (105,994), the British (22,039), the Italians (20,000), the Belgians (18,724), the Germans (15,406) and the Dutch (12,509).
These figures also show that guest nights in classified hotels posted a 5% decrease, reaching some 1 million bed nights, against 1.14 million nights last year.
This decrease was offset slightly by a 17% increase in guest nights spent by local tourists, which reached some 232,456 guest nights in January.
Except for the city of Marrakesh and Agadir, which posted a 12% and 10% lower, respectively, all other tourist destinations receiving more tourists. Rabat has exceeded the list with 12%, followed by Casablanca and Fez (center) (+5% respectively) and Tangiers (+2%).
Room occupancy rate declined by 4 percentage points, to 38%, compared with 42% for the same period in 2007.
Travel revenues reached about 566 million dollars in January to 642 million dollars in the same period last year, that is, at 11.8% decrease.
Morocco has developed an ambitious strategy known as "Vision 2010", aimed to attract 10 million tourists by 2010. The strategy provides for the creation of 160000 beds, bringing the national capacity to 230000 beds. It also aims to create some 600,000 new jobs.

'Morocco on the right path,' HRW

2008-03-05T02:14:00.000-08:00

"Morocco is on the right path" in the field of human rights, said Human Rights Watch (HRW) representative in the United Nations Office at Geneva, Julie De Rivero.
"Morocco is a good example for other countries," Ms. De Rivero said after a meeting with Moroccan Justice Minister Abdelouahed Radi, commending the openness of the Moroccan government, which accepts debates with NGOs, including Human Rights Watch.
The HRW official also commended Morocco's action within the Human Rights Council through "the important role" of Morocco's ambassador in the UN Geneva office Mohamed Loulichki who, in his capacity as facilitator of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) Working Group, has "constructively contributed during negotiations."
She said that the achievements in the field of human rights and the problems remaining to be discussed in Morocco in the presentation of its report in April next year, as part of the UPR, a new international institutional mechanism established on the basis of an instrument the human rights situation in UN member states.
During the meeting, held at the periphery 7 session of the Human Rights Council, Mr. Radi stressed that the choice of Morocco to promote democracy, human rights and openness to civil society stems from the unwavering conviction.
The evidence, he said, is that the report Morocco will submit to the UPR is the fruit of a participative process to ensure the success of this experience.
On this occasion, the minister reiterated Moroccos readiness to engage into dialogue with HRW on various issues, within the framework of rule of law and laws in force.

180,000 people benefited from housing financing program, ministry

2008-03-05T02:13:00.000-08:00

Over 180,000 people from unprivileged social classes had access to housing thanks to the government's funding program, FOGARIM, a press release of the Housing Ministry said on Tuesday.
Some 31,785 housing loans, amounting to over USD 628Mn, were granted up to late February 2008, the press release said, adding that interest rates have plummeted compared to recent years to reach as down as 3.53%.
FOGARIM was created in 2005 as part of state power that bid to facilitate access to generic housing for people with low incomes or wrong.
This cheap housing provided to the 350000 housing units around two million inhabitants, the Minister of Housing, Ahmed Tawfik Hejira shown recently.
He said sixty cities across Morocco benefited from the program is also known as social housing, and that the tax cuts agreed in 2002, were aimed at speeding up the production rate and affordable social housing.
This move was apparently allowed a number of secondary wage gains to buy an apartment, as well as 70% of buyers get a monthly salary of about $ 450, he said.

Tourism sector propels economic success in Morocco, publication

2008-03-03T05:58:00.001-08:00

Morocco's tourism strategy, dubbed Vision 2010, devised with the aim of boosting national tourism, begins to yield its fruits, notably in infrastructure improvements, British online publication "Easier.com" wrote, stressing that "the future is looking brighter than ever in Morocco."
The Vision 2010, which aims to attract 10 million tourists by 2010, provides for creating 160,000 beds, thus bringing the national capacity to 230,000 beds. It also aims at creating some 600,000 new jobs.
Investors who chose a luxury resort property in six events in buying rock solid and fast-growing tourism market, the publication said, noting that the north African country welcomes tourists who are looking for that unmistakable Arabic culture, together with the outstanding natural beauty where they can enjoy a wide range of entertainment and activities.
Recalling that Morocco has attracted prominent investors from 1970 such as Malcolm Forbes, founder of the well-known magazine Fortune, the publication emphasizes that the north African country is witnessing today, unprecedented growth, in terms of its infrastructure and the number of visitors, with tourism demand increases 6% in 2006, according to the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).
“Morocco is … a unique location for property investors and offers the opportunity to purchase property early in an emerging market at very favorable prices,” Sara Romero, product analyst at the British company propertyshowrooms.com, said, adding that “what is unique about the market for property in Morocco is the sense of security for investors.”
According to Moroccan Tourism and Craft Industry Ministry, around 7.45 million tourists visited Morocco in 2007, which represents a 13% rise from the year 2006.

King launches, enquires on development projects center

2008-02-29T08:40:00.001-08:00

King Mohammed VI on Thursday launched the construction works of several tourism development projects worth some USD 3.9Bn, and enquired on others in the central city of Marrakech.

The sovereign launched the "Chrifia" project for an amount of USD 610Mn. Spanning on an area of 268 ha, it includes a golf course, 10 hotels with a hosting capacity of 1,800 beds, some 1,780 housing units as well as entertainment facilities.
This project aims to highlight Marrakech attractiveness, and promote diverse and integrated tourism by taking advantage of cultural and geographical local assets.
On the same occasion, the monarch enquired on several tourism projects
which relate mainly to tourism and residential complexes of "Assoufid", "Samanah Country Club", "Palm Golf Resort", "Jnane Marrakech", "New Hivernage", "Douja Golf Resort", and "Zahrat Ennakhi".
Tourism represents 71% of the overall investments in the region of Marrakech. Between 2003 and 2007, some 913 tourism-related projects were launched for the sum of USD 14Bn.

Rabat too Strong for Sliema

2008-02-29T08:39:00.001-08:00

Sliema having four of their top players missing including their evergreen goalkeeper Luke Mallia could not offer any serious opposition to the current leaders. They did however manage to keep the score blank up to the 12 minute when after a fine dribble by the inimitable Josef Antonelli he made it easy for Kenneth Debattista to slot the ball home. On the 24th Sliema won a short corner from which Steve Cachia saw his effort just going wide. From here on Rabat were all over their opponents and on the 29th it came as no surprise when Kenneth Debattista deflected a hit by Kevin Micallef to score his and Rabats goal number two.
Between the 30th and the 35th Rabat made the score 5 -0 with three quick goals (Antonelli and Jason Vella x 2) all scored off rebounds.
In the second half Rabat eased their pressure; this allowed Sliema to come more into the picture, however it was always Rabat who were creating scoring chances with the occasional surge forward by Sliema.
In the 45th minute Azzopardi in Rabats goal saved well off a Dylan Lentini effort and on the 49th Sliema were denied a penalty stroke when Keith Vella was shoved off the ball. Three minutes later it was Matthew Buhagiar, Rabats stopper who deflected the ball off the goal line with Azzopardi beaten.
Rabat had to wait till the 61st to score goal no 6 when from a well executed short corner move it was Jonathan Seychell who fired home.

The High Atlas Foundation Plants 33,000 Fruit Trees in Rural Morocco

2008-02-29T08:32:00.000-08:00

During the month of February the High Atlas Foundation and its partners planted 33,000 fruit trees (cherry, apple, peach, and quince) with villages in the Imenane and Azzadene Valleys in Morocco's High Atlas Mountains in the Province of Marrakech. Approximately 3,000 people from twenty villages will benefit from this project. This project is a partnership among the High Atlas Foundation, the Global Diversity Foundation, the Association des Amis du CHU, the Province d' Al Haouz, the Marrakech Department of Waters and Forests, the Department of Agriculture for the High Atlas, the Marrakech21 Foundation, Dar Tassa, Kasbah Tamadot, and Kasbah Toubkal. Participants identified the types of trees they wished to receive and this partnership funded the purchase and distribution of them, as well as provided technical training in fruit tree agriculture.
As a recipient, from the village of Brahim Disaine Arg Imenane Valley, said: "This trees help our families, because we can eventually harvest fruits and sell them at the souk. We can use the money from the sale of fruit to feed our families, and buy warm clothes and books for our children to go to school. Our main source of income from the fruit trees - it is our way of life."
This ongoing partnership provides 17000 fruit trees in the past year and 3400 in 2006 to villages in the valleys, allowing the planting of 53400 fruit trees for the past three years. In addition, this partnership supports other socio-economic activities in the region, including projects in the areas of health, education and development of women.
High Atlas Foundation is a non-profit organization that works to establish development projects in rural communities in Morocco that local people design and management, and that, in partnership with government and non-government agencies. It was founded by former Peace Corps Volunteers, as a way to use their experience and expertise for the continued benefit of the Moroccan people. Since 2003, the organization has approximately 150000 planted fruit trees, and supports projects in the areas of drinking water, irrigation, women's cooperatives and the development of youth.

French trade union accuses Morocco of repression in Western Sahara

2008-02-28T07:35:00.000-08:00

The French trade union confederation CGT accused Morocco of police repression and human rights abuses in Western Sahara in a letter made public by Moroccan media on Wednesday. The arrest of a delegation of European trade unionists visiting the Saharawi capital Laayoune on February 19 was "unacceptable," the CGT said in the letter, which was addressed to the Moroccan ambassador in France.
Police detained a total of four trade unionists from France, Italy and Spain as well as three Moroccan trade unionists and the wife of one of them, the CGT said.
The detainees were released after interventions by several European foreign ministries, the CGT said, accusing Morocco of violating human rights, international labour agreements and the right to organize meetings.
A Moroccan government source meanwhile said the fourth round of negotiations between Morocco and the Saharawi independence movement Polisario Front, which had been scheduled for March 11 near New York, had been postponed to March 16.
The reasons of the delay were not clear, but the parties probably needed more time to prepare the talks, which are sponsored by the United Nations, the source said.
Diplomats say there is no compromise in sight between Morocco, which is offering autonomy to the region it annexed after Spain withdrew from there in 1975, and Polisario, which insists on a 1991 plan on a referendum on independence.
About 100 Saharawis meanwhile left refugee camps housing tens of thousands of Saharawi refugees in Algerian Tindouf and crossed the border into Morocco.
Tired of the decades-long conflict, several members of the group had given their support to the Moroccan autonomy plan, participating in a pro-Moroccan congress in a buffer zone of the Sahara in December.
The Saharawis, who included 20 children, told journalists they needed to steer clear of Algerian and Polisario frontier surveillance in order to cross over in el-Karkrat.

Floods cause fatal damages in Morocco

2008-02-27T07:34:00.000-08:00

Flash floods triggered by torrential rain have killed 15 people and left hundreds homeless in Morocco over the past week.
The rains hit last weekend and flood waters have yet to subside in parts of the Settat and Essaouria regions.
The first deaths occurred on Monday, when six people were drowned when their taxi was swept away in Settat by the overflowing Boumoussa river, 150km south of the capital Rabat.
Officials told the Associated Press news agency that an 11-year-old boy and two others were also killed in separate incidents in Settat.
According to AP, a further six people died around the Atlantic tourist destination of Essaouria.
The floods have caused damage estimated at $1.75m and hundreds of families are homeless.
Reuters news agency reported that the industrial city of Mohamedia, 70km south of Rabat, had been cut off when the Oued El Maleh river burst its banks.
Residents of shanty-towns there were inundated and tents were erected for those who had lost their homes.
But the Moroccan press has strongly criticized the authorities for not having done enough to prevent severe flooding.
But Morocco's official MAP news agency said railway services had resumed between Casablance and Khouribga.

Morocco, Iran ink various cooperation agreements

2008-02-26T08:15:00.000-08:00

Morocco and Iran signed, here Monday, various cooperation agreements in the fields of economy, trade, transport and tourism.
Signed during the closing ceremony of the 5th session of the Moroccan-Iranian joint commission, these agreements include a non-double taxation agreement, another one on maritime navigation, and a cooperation program in the field of tourism for 2008-2010, in addition to a MoU on industrial cooperation.
In this respect, Iranian Trade minister, Masoud MirKazmi, commended the signing of the agreements, paying tribute to the Moroccan and Iranian experts who "have made commendable efforts to finalize these agreements."
For his part, visiting Morocco's Foreign Trade minister, Abdellatif Mazouz, voiced hope the results of this joint commission "will give new impetus to boost bilateral economic and commercial ties.”
In a bid to boost economic relations, the Moroccan and Iranian delegations decided to organize, by next April, trade and economic fair in Rabat and Teheran and set up a bilateral business council to define common opportunities and establish a climate of trust between the two countries' investors.
Trade exchange between Morocco and Iran reached USD 1Bn in 2006. Iranian imports to Morocco were estimated at USD 953Mn, while Moroccan exports reached some USD 52Mn only.
Co-chaired by Moroccan Foreign Trade Minister and his Iranian counterpart, the 5th session of the Moroccan-Iranian joint commission brought together representatives of various ministries and businessmen from the two countries, who discussed on February 23-25 the state of bilateral cooperation and the means to consolidate them.

FAR Rabat consolidate supremacy over Moroccan League

2008-02-26T08:14:00.000-08:00

FAR Rabat has consolidated its supremacy over the Moroccan soccer league (GNF1) after its 2-2 tie in Oujda (East) and the fall of its immediate pursuer Ittihad Khemisset (IZK) in Tetouan (north).
In a thriller game, the penultimate Mouloudia Oujda fought teeth and nails to force the militaries to content with a tie that consolidates the supremacy of the leader, but does not serve the interests of the local team that suffers at the bottom.
In Tetouan, IZK fell to the local team Moghreb Tetouan, which has moved from a good result to another after the appointment of national coach, M'hamed Fakhir.
Thanks to this victory, Moghreb Tetouan bounced to the 6th position with 28 points, four points behind Raja Casablanca, which achieved a hard tie 1-1 before Olympic Safi in Casablanca.
Difaa Jadida (DHJ) on Sunday missed the chance to overthrow IZK after its 0-0 tie before KAC Kenitra, while OCK Khouribga won 1-2 before JSM Laayoune to join the third place.
In Rabat, FUS signed its second victory by besting Hassania Agadir 1-0. FUS Rabat are lagging in the last position with 15 points, tow points behind MCO Oujda.
Results:
FUS Rabat - Hassania Agadir 1 - 0
Moghreb Tétouan - Ittihad Khémisset 2 – 0
Difaa El Jadida - KAC Kénitra 0 - 0
Kawkab Marrakech - Wydad Casablanca 1 - 0
Mouloudia Oujda - FAR Rabat 2 - 2
Raja Casablanca - Olympic Safi 1 - 1
Jeunesse Massira - Olympique Khouribga 1 - 2
CODM Meknès - Moghreb Fès 0 - 1
Standing:
1. FAR 37
2. Ittihad Khémisset 35
3. Difaâ El Jadida 34 (-1)
. Olympique Khouribga 34 (-1)
5. Raja Casablanca 32
6. Moghreb Tétouan 28
7. Wydad Casablanca 26 (-1)
. Hassania Agadir 26 (-1)
9. Jeunesse Massira 25
10. Kawkab Marrakech 23
11. Moghreb Fès 22 (-1)
12. KAC Kenitra 22
13. Olympic Safi 18
14. CODM Meknès 17 (-1)
15. Mouloudia Oujda 17
16. FUS Rabat 15

Morocco's autonomy proposal offered new possibility, led to negotiations, Welsh

2008-02-26T08:12:00.000-08:00

"We think that could be a very productive way to look at this," he told the press after a meeting with king Mohammed VI, voicing hope the parties to the negotiations "would engage constructively on this with good intention."
Noting that the talks are not easy due to the difficulty of the issue, the U.S. official said he expressed to the monarch "the support of the U.S. for the negotiations that have began in response to the proposal made by Morocco," adding: "we hope for a productive continuation of these negotiations."
The talks were held between Morocco and the Algeria-backed separatist movement "Polisario" (in the presence of representatives of neighboring Algeria and Mauritania) in a bid to reach a solution to the 32-year-old conflict on the control of the Sahara, Morocco's Southern Provinces to which the Polisario lays claims. The territory is a former Spanish colony that was ceded to Morocco in 1975 under the Madrid Accord signed between Rabat, Madrid and Nouakchott.
Mr. Welsh who is due to travel to Algeria and Tunisia, insured that he will give voice to the view of the U.S. to all the leaders of the Maghreb "about what we see is the best way forward." He called for stronger relationships between Morocco and Algeria, despite the Sahara issue.
The U.S. official said he also increased with the sovereign questions related to the region, adding that he informed the monarch on president Bush’s attitude to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and his will to see the talks between the two parties go forward productively.
Mr. Welsh said the monarch announced "the concern and support of the Kingdom of Morocco to the Palestinian people", and also "to see a better future for both sides, through negotiations leading to a solution of two-states."

Number of tourists on the rise

2008-02-25T04:49:00.001-08:00

A total of 7.45 million tourists visited Morocco last year, i.e. a 13 per cent increase compared to 2006, which yielded some US$7.7 billion, Moroccan Tourism and Craft Industry Minister, Mohamed Boussaid, has declared recently. Graded hotels posted 16.9 million nights, say a 3% rise compared to the year before, the minister said, according to MAP.
The French continue to top the list with 2.85 million tourists, followed by the Spaniards (1.6 million), the Belgians (431 000), the British (419 000), the Italians (370 000), the Dutch (361 000) and the Germans (296 000).
Except for the southern cities of Ouarzazate that recorded a 3 per cent drop and Agadir whose figures have remained stable, all the other tourist destinations received more tourists. Casablanca topped the list with 9 per cent, followed by Fez (center) (+8 per cent), Rabat (+5 per cent), Marrakech (+5 per cent) and Tangier (+3 per cent).
The Minister said, the tourism the main source of income from investments and the creation of jobs in the Kingdom, but also as a driving force for sustainable development, a contribution to 8 percent of GDP. The Kingdom has set itself the target of attracting 10 million tourists in 2010. To this end it has adopted a strategy of "Vision 2010", which for the production of 160000 beds, bringing the national capacity to 230000 beds. It also aims at the creation of about 600,000 new jobs.

Customer deposits were up 17 2006 as a result of increased.

2008-02-20T04:50:00.000-08:00

The ability of savings and expanding networks of bank branches. Figures of the banking sector at the end of 2007 showed a significant increase in the key indicators of activity of banks. According to the last reporting of the Professional Association of Moroccan Banks (GPBM), the bank stood at 521.8 billion DH, including nearly 500 billion of customer deposits (95.5%), an increase of 17,1% compared to the end of 2006. The credits to the economy stood on their part to 421.1 billion DH, including 378 billion loans and advances to customers (72%), development of 27.3 compared to 2006. The coefficient of jobs (ratio of credits to the economy and resources) appears to 80.7%, in appreciation of 7.7 points.

Rothschild, Booz Naciri & Hamilton and looking into the restructuring of the Office

2008-02-20T04:49:00.000-08:00

The transformation into a joint-stock company is expected to be completed this year. The World Bank supports the growth of the company. A first comprehensive assessment of the financial situation and options for restructuring had already been done by the firm Masnaoui Mazars & Associates and endorsed by the board of directors on 3rd October. Now it is up to Rothschild, Booz Naciri & Hamilton to organize the work and submit one of the possible restructuring schemes. There is one more advantage: should firm move towards a simple privatization, or become limited to the opening of the capital, to be extended and with what partner strategy. One thing is certain: the transformation of the legal status of the NEB is expected this year.

Western Sahara: UN Envoy Continues Consultations in Region

2008-02-20T04:48:00.000-08:00

The United Nations envoy for Western Sahara is keeping on his in-depth advices with the parties and neighboring countries in the region ahead of the next round of planned talks between Morocco and the Frente Polisario.

Peter van Walsum, the Secretary-General's Personal Envoy for Western Sahara, met Secretary General Mohamed Abdelaziz and other members of the Frente Polisario leadership in Rabouni on Saturday, UN spokesperson Michele Montas told reporters.

Those consultations followed meetings with senior Moroccan officials in the country's capital, Rabat, late last week.

Mr. van Walsum told reporters that he was in the region to listen to the views of both the parties and the neighboring States, Algeria and Mauritania, on how to move into more resistant talks on how to provide for the self-determination for the people of Western Sahara.

He is scheduled to hold discussions later this week in Algiers and Nouakchott, the Algerian and Mauritanian capitals.

Mr. van Walsum said that while the positions of the Moroccan Government and the Frente Polisario keep far apart, the two sides have repeated their plans to take part in UN-brokered talks next month. Those talks will take place in Manhasset, New York, on 11-13 March.

The UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) has been in the Territory since 1991 to monitor the ceasefire between Morocco and the Frente Polisario.

Morocco fires national coach

2008-02-19T02:42:00.001-08:00

Frenchman Henri Michel has been fired as coach of Morocco after their failure to get past the African Nations Cup first round.

"Due to a lack of results and because of his behavior at a press conference held on January 31 when the national team returned from Ghana, Henri Michel's contract has been terminated," said the Moroccan football federation source.

Morocco was set out of the African Nations Cup in Ghana after losing to the hosts and Guinea, only managing to beat minnows Namibia.

On January 31 Michel vowed to stay in the job in a bid to take Morocco to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

"I have a contract until 2010 to get Morocco to the World Cup finals," said the Frenchman who claimed he also had the backing of the country's football federation.

The same day Michel complained there were "structural problems" in Moroccan football.

"Moroccan clubs have to agree that the priority is training. We have to have players who can measure up to foreign players," said Michel.

Moroc Soir Groupe of Morocco Sign Comprehensive Contract With KnowledgeView for a Multi-Platform Publishing System Driven by RAPID Browser and Adobe P

2008-02-19T02:41:00.001-08:00

Moroc Soir is one of the leading publishing groups in the Kingdom of Morocco, with several newspaper and on-line titles especially the leading French Daily Le Matin and the Arabic dailies Assabah and Assahra Al Maghribiya. KnowledgeView is the leading publishing software and newspaper integrator in the Arab World with over 20 newspaper installations used by over 3000 journalists.

The new deal is part of the active modernization activities of the group with the attempt to rise circulation and reach, and advertising revenues. The contract aims to expand the capabilities not only of paper publishing but that of on-line and mobile, taking advantage of RAPID Browser's support for multi-publishing in a converging Newsroom mode of work. RAPID Archive will also provide group-wide rich-media archiving and facilities for local search by the newspaper customers.

Mr. Mohamed Al-Jawahiri, Managing Director of Moroc Soir Groupe said "We are pleased to work with KnowledgeView on such an significant part of the group's modernization plan. We in the group take note of the changing landscape of the media market, of changing readers' habits and the effect of the Internet. We see these changes as a great opportunity for the group to insure additional products that satisfy the news needs for different elements of the widening Moroccan economy and society. We will use the group's vast experience in publishing and KnowledgeView's expertise in multi-publishing to achieve our aims."

Twenty-four missing after immigrant boat sinks off Morocco

2008-02-19T02:39:00.000-08:00

Twenty-four African migrants were missing after their boat was distressed southern Morocco, but 11 others were rescued, police said Wednesday.

The event happened on Tuesday night near the town of Tarfaya, some 1,100 kilometers (700 miles) south of capital of Morocco, a police official told AFP.

It had set off from the Moroccan coast shortly after midnight heading for Spain's Canary Islands but ran into severities in rough seas and capsized.

Searches were going on for the missing, the official said, without identifying the nationality of the boat's occupants.

Hundreds of potential migrants set off from northwest Africa for the Canary Islands almost daily hoping for a better life in Europe, but their weak craft frequently come hit trouble.

RAK Properties unveils its plans to expand into Morocco, Egypt, and Sudan

2008-02-18T02:37:00.000-08:00

The expansion of the company is supported by the strong and continuing interest of investors in the company from the projects of local and regional markets.

RAK Properties presents its landmark Julfar Towers, Mina Al Arab and RAK Tower projects on the International Property Show, the largest transactional property exhibition in the region, held at the Dubai International Exhibition Centre (DIEC) from 17 to 19 February.

Mohammed Sultan Al-Qadi, Managing Director & CEO of RAK Properties, said:

"The overwhelming response of our projects are on the rise overseas and regional investors is a testament to the confidence we have from our investors, and reaffirms our commitment to increase the value for our stakeholders through high quality projects."

"Based on the success of the projects that we have so far, we are building our business in other countries as Morocco, Egypt and the Sudan, where we focus on the development of residential, commercial and hospitality. We are also working with our partners to identify , the growth prospects minimal risk, "he added. "With a strong expansion in the plan, RAK Properties are also establishing a presence in other markets and increase its portfolio investments in the next ten years Dhs50bn '.

Julfar Towers, launched in February 2006, is an office-cum-residential project of Dhs500m, with two 43 - storey towers.

Mina Al Arab is a mixed-use, town Waterfront Resort shape, that the "Living Closer to Nature 'motto RAK Properties. Spread over 30 million square meters feet and estimated costs Dhs10bn, was the project in May 2006.

The Dhs300m RAK Tower in Abu Dhabi is the first project outside Ras Al Khaimah.

RAK Properties recently reported a net profit of Dhs496m ($ 135) for the second fiscal 31 December 2007. The company achieved a turnover worth Dhs1 also, 083m, which represents an increase of 288% compared to the value 2006 (Although the company considerable SAB during the year, revenue recognition was postponed until property Handover).

For more information, please visit the RAK Properties at the International Property Show, held at the Dubai International Exhibition Centre (DIEC), Hall 3, Booth B11.

Marrakesh snake charmers' spell fails to work on activists

2008-02-18T02:33:00.001-08:00

MARRAKESH, Morocco (AFP) - The men work in Marrakesh Djemma el Fna Square, the charm snakes and tourists, but their magic is not for the work with the animals rights activists insist that the practice banned as cruel.

Long one of the main attractions of the city, the charmers say they take care of their snakes "as their children".

But a French animal rights group urges tourists to boycott the snake charmers, they say, the mistreatment reptiles.

The Study and Observation Group to Protect Wild Animals (GEOS) encourages visitors to "avoid the spectacle indecent that mistreat animals or even better to express your outrage" to the authorities.

The boycott appeal received 200 signatures in the first few days after its launch, after its initiator Michel Aymerich.
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The 49-year-old Moroccan-born French political admits he is a fan of "Nature most unloved" snakes, scorpions and spiders.

"They need to know that the snakes are deaf and react only to gestures. Cobras rise to the flute is not because of the music, but because they feel threatened and instinctively a defensive position, and give up the spectacular display of the Hood," Aymerich.

"In addition, for the most part they remove their teeth or poisonous glands, which causes abscesses, and a slow and painful death."

Defanged or not, Aymerich says the snakes are under terrible stress and die after several weeks of performance. Their normal life span would have been 12 to 15 years.

"These people are totally ignorant of our profession," the doyen of the Marrakech snake charmers, 80-year-old Lhoussine Hajjaj told AFP.

"These reptiles are like our children. We care about their education, nutrition and health, because it is our money."

The snakes are fed eggs, birds and even sheep heart.

"As one of the snakes is tired, we ask a veterinarian, medication to prescribe," he said.

He denied as "false rumours" that the charmers remove the teeth and the snake venom glands.

"If that is true, why is it that victims among us?"

Hajjaj also alleged that the disputed cobras died after only a few months.

"This is wrong, because there is a cobra, was on the Djemma el Fna, the more than 10 years," he said.

Most of the snakes come from Morocco Guelmim of the southern region, according to Aymerich, caught by members of the Brotherhood Aissaoua religious community, which supplies many protected animals in the market at Marrakesh.

Aymerich want the region into a nature park, with the Aissaoua always guide for the tourists.

Morocco wants to reinforce ties with migrants

2008-02-16T07:27:00.000-08:00

Moroccan Minister of Moroccan communities abroad Ameur Mohammed said that Moroccan immigrants in Europe must work harder to secure their language and culture. But his statement Dutch politician has rubbed the wrong way.

It is beginning to affect the appearance of a trend. While European immigration minister stressed the need for migrants to integrate - and possibly even assimilate - politicians from their home countries underscore the need for immigrants to preserve their cultural identity. Last week, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Erdogan sparked an outcry when he said that assimilation was nothing less than a crime against humanity. The Moroccan minister seems to have a page in his book.
Classes
In the French language newspaper Aujourd'hui le Maroc, Morocco Ameur minister recently revealed that the new migrants. "The Moroccan community abroad," he argued, should be considered in our country 17th Province. "The spearhead of the new policy is to ensure that more children in the classes of Moroccan descent in Moroccan culture and Arabic.

The Minister said that the number of children in those categories should be included in the next few years to double between 60000 and 150000th The government will also funds to give young people the trip to Morocco so they can bond with their home country.

Irritation
Ameur ministerial statements have caused considerable confusion in the Dutch politician. The conservative deputies Henk Kamp, said the Moroccan policy is diametrically opposed to the Dutch government is trying to further the integration of Moroccans in the Dutch society.

Labour MP Khadija Arib, even of Moroccan descent, believes that: "Moroccans in the Netherlands should focus on their lives here, so they can before". It calls on the Moroccan Minister of Policy old-fashioned. Ms. Arib argued that the Moroccan government should understand that the new generations have less of a strong bond with Morocco.

Berber language
Apart from the widespread sparks irritation on the Moroccan government interference, the plans have raised serious concerns in many Moroccan immigrants. Said bin Azouz from the Democratic Voice of Moroccans in the Netherlands, says that "In principle, there is nothing wrong with preserving its own language and culture, but the issue is the culture?

Mr. Bin Azouz argued that an open democratic Moroccan culture is not in contradiction with the integration, but the traditional, static culture, the Moroccan government is promoting. Also, the Moroccan government seems to have forgotten that 80 percent of the Moroccans in the Netherlands speak for the Berber languages. For them, Arabic is a second language, as well as the Dutch.

Money
Attempts by the Moroccan government to retain their hold on the migrant communities are nothing new, and again led to confusion. The Moroccan Government refuses to ensure that the migrants to enter their Moroccan nationality and tried to force migrants to choose names for their children from an officially approved list. A recently created advisory council of the Moroccan community abroad will also be considered with suspicion.

There is a reason why the Moroccan government wants to retain strong ties with its migrant communities. There are more than three million Moroccans in Europe, more than 10 percent of the total turnover of the Moroccan population. In addition to the tourism and phosphate mining, the money sent home that these migrants is the country's main source of foreign exchange.

Luxury resort on Morocco's secret coast

2008-02-15T08:24:00.000-08:00

Four years ago, very few people outside of Morocco had heard of Saidia.
Then, everything changed in 2002 when King Mohammed VI announced that Saidia would be the site of his flagship resort, Mediterrania-Saidia, the first of six luxury coastal developments in Morocco. The other five are being built along the country's Atlantic coast.
With a government investment of $4.4 billion in what is called the Plan Azur developments, the six resorts are planned to regenerate some of the poorest regions and to contribute to the kingdom's tourism numbers. The overall goal is to triple the number of vacationers coming to Morocco to 10 million by 2010.
"It was the involvement of the king that got me interested," said McDougall, an education program director in the Atlanta school system. "Even though I do not know much about Morocco, I figured if the king is behind this development then it has got to succeed."
Mediterrania - Saidia, now in the second of a three-step plan, will stretch six kilometers, or a little less than four miles, along the sandy coastline next to the Moulouya Estuary, home to more than 180 species of birds.
Scheduled to be completed in 2010, it will be the largest resort in North Africa, with three 18-hole golf courses, 10 four- to five-star hotels, a marina with 850 berths, a yacht club and 3,000 luxury apartments and villas located in both Andalusian and Moroccan style.
It is not just the development that is expected to draw a minimum of 250,000 visitors a year initially, increasing to 500,000 by 2012. The area has hot, dry summers, tempered by southwest trade-winds, and damp winters, which means that the region is rich in citrus trees, almonds, evergreens and vineyards.

Arab ministers urge more cooperation on terrorism

2008-02-15T08:21:00.000-08:00

Arab governments will have more success fighting home-grown terrorist groups if security agencies in the region work together and share information, officials at a security conference said 31 January.
"The Maghreb region is targeted by terrorist organizations seeking to...terrify people and thwart economic projects," Omran Ahmida, a senior Libyan official, said of North Africa's Arabic-speaking region at the meeting in Tunis.
"We need to do a serious job and strengthen communication between security officers," he said. "It must be a real and concrete effort or decisions will remain only words."
Western analysts say mutual suspicion and frosty diplomatic relations between Arab governments have complicated efforts to share information and trace down religious militants trying to establish Islamic rule in north Africa.
Such cooperation has become crucial as radical groups turn to the Internet to coordinate attacks and exploit weak border controls to smuggle fighters and weapons, they say.

Guinea-Morocco 3:2

2008-02-15T08:19:00.001-08:00

Guinea, who lost their opening match against hosts Ghana, are back in contention for a quarter-final place, but Feindouno's dismissal for stamping on 67 minutes could cost him at least a two-match suspension.
Morocco got a late consolation from defender Abdelsam Ouaddou who scored with a close-ranger header in stoppage time. "We lost the game at the crucial moments. Now we have to battle to beat Ghana to go through," said Morocco's French coach Henri Michel, whose side sit level on points with Guinea after two matches each.

Migrants missing after boat sinks off Morocco

2008-02-15T01:36:00.000-08:00

Twenty-four illegal immigrants from Morocco lacked the southern Atlantic coast after their ship sank, Moroccan government officials said.

The Moroccan navy rescued 11 migrants from the boat was destroyed by the bad weather off Tarfaya, about 1000 km south of Rabat on Tuesday night, they said.

A total of 35 people were aboard the rickety vessel, led to the Spanish Canary Islands, the officials said, adding the migrants came from countries south of Sahara.

Thousands of sub-Saharan migrants hike to the north through the desert and pay for traffickers passage to Europe on overcrowded boats to escape poverty at home.

Hundreds make the sea journey from West Africa to the Canary Islands every year, but many others who have tried to officials from migrant families advocacy groups in Morocco say.

Twenty-four missing after immigrant boat sinks off Morocco

2008-02-15T01:35:00.000-08:00

Twenty-four African migrants missing after their ship was destroyed in southern Morocco, but 11 others were rescued, police said Wednesday.

The incident happened on Tuesday evening near the city of Tarfaya, about 1100 kilometers (700 miles) south of Rabat, said a police official of the AFP.

He was from the Moroccan coast shortly after midnight, heading for the Canary Islands in Spain, but ran into trouble and capsized in rough seas.

Searches were going on for the missing, the official said, without specifying the nationality of the boat occupants.

Hundreds of would-be migrants on their way north west of Africa to the Canary Islands nearly every day of hope for a better life in Europe, but their frail craft are often difficulties.

Morocco's SNI buys stake in investment firm Somed

2008-02-14T08:24:00.000-08:00

SNI SNI.CS, a holding company controlled by Morocco's royal family, bought a 32.9 percent stake in Somed, an investment company specialized in tourism, property, metals and food production, SNI said on Friday.
Societe Nationale d'Investissement (SNI) paid 1.24 billion dirhams ($161.9 million) to buy Moroccan institutional shareholders out of Somed and purchase some of the shares held by the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, SNI said in a statement.
The Abu Dhabi fund's stake, formerly 50 percent according to Somed's Web site, falls to 33.9 percent under the deal while the Moroccan state's holding of 33.25 percent remains unchanged.
Somed was established by Morocco and the United Arab Emirates in 1982 to support large-scale projects in the north African country and draw foreign expertise and capital.
SNI's acquirement is "an opportunity to put its financial resources to work in a sector that is vital to the Moroccan economy - tourism", the company said.
The move also allows SNI to simplify its holdings and concentrate on four main investments - Somed, conglomerate ONA ONA.CS, cement firm Lafarge Maroc LAC.CS and steelmaker Sonasid SOND.CS.
SNI was advised by Attijari Finances Corp for the deal.
Its shares, which have gained 20 per cent since the start of the year, were suspended from trading in Casablanca on Friday.

Tamweel plans India, Morocco, Turkey expansion

2008-02-14T08:23:00.000-08:00

Dubai-based Islamic mortgage lender Tamweel TAML.DU said it plans to enlarge into India, Morocco and Turkey, and expects to turn a profit from Egyptian and Saudi operations next year.
"In Egypt and Saudi Arabia, it is all approved and we are just setting up," CEO Adel al-Shirawi told journalists on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum annual meeting in the Davos resort. "We will begin to earn there in 2009."
To fund its fast expansion, Al Shirawi said the firm aimed to gain capital by all means possible, including debt, issuing sukuk or Islamic bonds, and through the listing of its local units.
"We will keep a majority stake," he said. "(We) will diversify risk through rationalizations but will remain focused on mortgages."
Tamweel recently sold $300 million in convertible Islamic bonds, or sukuk, which comply with Islam's ban on interest and offer investors a share of profits from underlying assets instead.
Larger rival Amlak Finance AMLK.DU delayed a sale of Islamic bonds planned for the fourth quarter because of the fallout from the credit crisis triggered by U.S. mortgage defaults
Al Shirawi, however, said the disorder in Western markets had benefited his business, as falling U.S. interest rates widened the gap between the price at which it borrows and lends to home owners, improving the earnings power of Tamweel's mortgage book.
Demand for mortgages is growing in the UAE, where Dubai triggered the Gulf Arab real estate boom in 2002 by allowing foreigners to invest in property.

Morocco Property

New opportunities in Morocco

The views, a Moroccan alternative to saturated Spain

APM Terminals reports on developments in Morocco property

Air Arabia to open Morocco hub this year

Early fruit and vegetables exports grow 16% up to April

Morocco takes part in the first US-Arab Urban Forum

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

Morocco set to face housing deficit, Minister

Pierre and Vacance 270 million euro to invest in Morocco

UK nationals taking 3-day holidays

Competition mounts in Euro property market

Morocco appeals to different types of buyers

Mission Possible: Making Money in Morocco

Moroccan property satisfaction – guaranteed

Shariah investors record high returns

Morocco plans infrastructure improvements

Morocco offers strong rental market

New "hot spots" of real estate will develop where there is the budget airlines

EU Trade Commissioner voices readiness to contribute to achieving Morocco's advanced status request

King launches construction works of USD 15 million dam center

African Emerging Markets Forum praises Morocco's developments

Morocco 'good example' for emerging countries that take up challenge of joining global market, expert

Morocco a 'priority country' in co-operation with Catalonia, Spanish official

Morocco, Egypt, Nigeria deliver strong returns for Shariah investors in Q1

Is Morocco "dark horse" in the real estate investment market?

Dubai invests $ 19 billion in Morocco real estate

Morocco will become the second Spain

In Marrakesh built resort Mandarin Oriental

In Morocco lack of hotels

Large ski centre in Africa will be a year-round resort

The Moroccan capital restores and reveals past

Tanger will become a tourist City Break

The Prime Minister of Morocco made the regional tourism development.One of them is to transform Tangiers in the City-break - the city for two days and longer breaks on travel for tourists Morocco property.

The calculated at 10 years, the program will strengthen the infrastructure of the city "strait", located in 278 km north of Rabat property, and its region, improve tourist attraction Tangiers.

The authorities expect that in addition to achieving long-term prospects, the program will allow the city to accept the International universal exhibition in 2012. Currently, Tangier is a candidate to receive the exhibition, together with the cities of other countries.

Abu Dhabi launches Dh26b Style City

The Abu Dhabi Investment House (ADIH) announced yesterday the launch of a Dh26 billion ($7 billion) Style City, a project that will seek to attract international brand names in the style, design of fashion, jewellery, furniture and luxury living.

The Style City project will be performed in Abu Dhabi, Qatar, Morocco, Tunisia and India as part of agreements ADIH signed yesterday with major developers in those countries.

Rashad Janahi, ADIH managing director and board member, signed a memorandum of understanding with Dr Hani Shammah, CEO of Emirates International Properties (EIP), the real estate arm of Emirates International Investment Company (EIIC), to create Porta Moda Abu Dhabi.

The first of its kind, Style City, a mixed-use development, including residential and commercial components with a focus on fashion and style.

Euro-Med tourism ministers call for promotion of this sector

Morocco, Slovenia sign declaration to build Euro-Mediterranean University

Morocco in top ten destinations considered by foreign investors, Global Edge

Morocco's Chaabi group plans six IPOs after SNEP

Morocco, Germany set to boost cooperation in energy, environment

King launches socioeconomic projects center

Tangier-Casablanca TGV to be operational by 2013

Morocco set to adhere OECD investment committee

Moroccan airports go green

Morocco attracted US 4.5 billion foreign direct investments in 2007

Moroccan tourism sector generates USD 8Bn in 2007

Moroccan tourism sector generates USD 8Bn in 2007

The Moroccan tourism sector has generated some USD 8Bn in 2007 as around 7.45 million tourists visited the north African country, said, here Wednesday, an official at the Moroccan Embassy in Ethiopia, Omar Semmar.

Mr.Semmar called for making tourism a priority sector in the economic choices of African countries to diversify their financial resources.

"Tourist activity is a source of receipts in foreign currency for African countries and an economic sector that generates an important capital gain in terms of economy and employment to improve the quality of life of the continent's inhabitants," he said.

The Moroccan diplomat called on the UN Economic Commission for Africa to include in its agenda the development of the tourism sector and provide support and assistance to African countries, tourism a lever for economic development, for the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals

Forth African Futsal contest: Morocco bests Nigeria

UK hails Morocco on political reforms

King inaugurates highway service in Tangier-Med port

US Delphi Group to create 3,441 jobs in Morocco in 2008

Fes city to celebrate 1200th anniversary of its Foundation

Three million Moroccans benefited from 12,000 INDH projects in 2005-2007

Marina expansion for Morocco’s Mediterrania Saidia

USD 19Mn program to develop central city of Sefrou

Morocco calls for opening Moroccan-Algerian borders, normalization of bilateral relations

BMCE bank netted USD 14.4Bn profit in 2007

Morocco attracts more British visitors

Industrial production index up 4% in Q4 2007

Moroccan public debt drops over USD 130 million in 2007

Jet4you to serve 8 weekly flights between Morocco, Belgium

Moroccan port traffic exceeded 50 million MT up to September 2007, magazine

Morocco-U.S. FTA results optimistic, minister

ONCF achieves USD 400Mn turnover in 2007

Lafarge achieves USD 583Mn turnover in 2007

Morocco calls on OIC member states to establish South-South cooperation

U.S. State Dept. lauds a new human rights progress in Morocco in 2007

Morocco plans to cut health-care costs

King launches 4.5Mn projects to promote sport in Fez

Minister identifies four priorities to boost tourism in Morocco

The Prime Minister of Morocco made the regional tourism development.
One of them is to transform Tangiers in the City-break - the city for two days and longer breaks on travel for tourists Morocco property.