Euro-Med tourism ministers call for promotion of this sector

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.