Daily Press Review - Friday, April 19, 2024

Morocco: Phone Number Portability Now Takes Only One Day!

Great news for Moroccan consumers! The National Telecommunications Regulatory Agency (ANRT) has announced a significant reduction in the time it takes to transfer mobile and landline phone numbers. Now, switching operators while keeping your number only takes 24 hours, down from two days previously.

This measure, implemented under decision ANRT/DG/No. 18/20 of November 26, 2020, aims to further streamline the telecommunications market and provide a better experience for customers. Number portability is a crucial choice for subscribers, allowing them to compare offers and choose the operator that best suits their needs without giving up their usual number.

It's important to note that this 24-hour portability period applies only to the implementation of the operator change. Subscribers still have a 24-hour cooling-off period after confirmation of portability, allowing them to cancel their request if they wish.

Number portability is experiencing growing success in Morocco. In 2023, the number of mobile number portability requests surged by 15% compared to 2022, with 82% of requests completed in less than 48 hours. This trend confirms consumers' increasing interest in the freedom of choice and flexibility offered by portability.

Source: L'Economiste

Forsa: Enhanced Support for Project Holders in Five Regions

The Moroccan Society of Tourist Engineering (SMIT) has issued a tender to select a service provider to support project holders funded under the Forsa program in five regions of Morocco: Casa-Settat, Souss-Massa Dakhla-Oued Eddahab, Laâyoune-Sakia El Hamra, Guelmim-Oued Noun, and Rabat-Salé-Kénitra.

This post-award support program aims to boost the success chances of project holders and increase the sustainability of their businesses and the jobs created. It revolves around individual and collective support in the form of practical training and tailored engineering to the specific needs of each project holder, defined following an initial evaluation.

The program will prioritize essential management skills for project management and the implementation of necessary management tools. It will also involve mobilizing sectoral or professional expertise appropriate to the beneficiary according to the nature of their project and the sector of activity, offering personalized technical advice.

Source: L'Economiste

Morocco Reaffirms Its Territorial Integrity in the Sahara at the UN Security Council

In response to false statements by the Algerian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ahmed Attaf, during an open debate at the UN Security Council on "The Role of Youth in Combating Security Challenges in the Mediterranean," Morocco's permanent representative to the UN, Omar Hilale, firmly reaffirmed the Moroccan sovereignty over the Sahara.

Mr. Hilale categorically denied Algerian allegations regarding the Sahara, recalling that Morocco "reintegrated its Sahara in an irreversible manner in 1975." He emphasized that "peace and security in the region continue to be threatened by the non-respect of international law" and by Algeria's hostile actions, including its support for separatism and its use of armed groups.

The Moroccan ambassador also highlighted Morocco's humanitarian and solidarity-based migration policy, contrasting with inhumane practices observed in neighboring countries. He reminded that the Kingdom offers "a land of welcome and dignity to refugees and young migrants, guaranteeing them equal access to education, housing, health, vocational training, and employment."

Source: Al Bayane

Pan-Africanism and Migration: Morocco Reiterates Its Commitment to a United and Solidary Africa

Morocco has reaffirmed its firm commitment to pan-Africanism and South-South cooperation during the Regional Ministerial Conference of North Africa held under the theme "Pan-Africanism and Migration" in Rabat.

Participating in the opening of this meeting, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccans Residing Abroad, Nasser Bourita, emphasized that "African identity is deeply rooted in Morocco's institutions and political choices, under the enlightened leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI."

Mr. Bourita also highlighted Morocco's proactive migration policy, based on a humanistic, solidarity-based, and inclusive approach. He recalled that Morocco adopted a new migration strategy respectful of human rights as early as 2013, in line with international law and emphasizing international cooperation and shared responsibility.

The organization of this conference by Morocco follows the Kingdom's pioneering role in migration matters. Morocco is indeed a recognized African leader in this field, notably thanks to its enlightened vision of migration and concrete initiatives for the promotion of safe and responsible migration.

Source: Al Bayane

Morocco Harmonizes Its Aviation Legislation with International Standards

Morocco has achieved a significant milestone in strengthening its aviation sector by adopting a new decree aimed at harmonizing its national legislation with international standards for the design, production, maintenance, and airworthiness of aircraft.

This draft decree No. 2.23.681, presented by the Minister of Transport and Logistics, Mohamed Abdeljalil, was examined and approved in the Government Council. It is part of the implementation of the provisions of the first article of Law No. 40.13 on civil aviation, which refers to regulatory texts defining technical standards and accreditation conditions for stakeholders in the aviation domain.

This decree also aims to align national legislation with the provisions of the International Civil Aviation Agreement signed in Chicago on December 7, 1944, ratified by Morocco by royal decree No. 1.57.172. Annex 8 of this agreement specifies the technical modalities, standards, and conditions to be met to ensure aircraft airworthiness, whether related to the design, production, or maintenance phase.

The new decree defines the technical specifications to be met by individuals wishing to obtain accreditation granted by the government authority responsible for civil aviation to carry out aircraft design, production, and maintenance processes in Morocco.

Source: Aujourd'hui Le Maroc

United States and Morocco Strengthen Cooperation in Artificial Intelligence

The American Chamber of Commerce in Morocco (AmCham) and Microsoft jointly organized an event in Casablanca under the theme "Artificial Intelligence in Morocco: What Opportunities?" This gathering brought together key players from the Moroccan public and private sectors, as well as representatives from leading American companies in the field of AI, to discuss the challenges and opportunities related to this promising technology.

Artificial intelligence is a powerful tool that can be used to address numerous challenges, particularly in the realm of financial inclusion. Indeed, AI can facilitate the development of innovative solutions to improve access to financial services for the unbanked population, especially in Africa.

The Moroccan market has become a priority for American firms in the digital domain. American companies are increasingly interested in the opportunities presented by Morocco in terms of artificial intelligence and digital transformation.

Source: Aujourd'hui Le Maroc

Rabat: Liberia Reaffirms Support for Morocco's Territorial Integrity

During a meeting in Rabat, the Republic of Liberia renewed its firm support for Morocco's territorial integrity, including on the issue of the Sahara. This support was formalized in a joint communiqué issued from discussions between Nasser Bourita, Moroccan Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccans Residing Abroad, and his Liberian counterpart, Sara Beysolow Nyanti.

In this document, Nyanti reiterated her country's commitment to the Moroccan autonomy initiative of 2007, considering it the only viable and realistic solution to resolve the Sahara dispute. Furthermore, she also commended the efforts of the United Nations, recognizing this body as the appropriate framework to reach a lasting and practical solution.

Nasser Bourita expressed gratitude for Liberia's ongoing support for the Moroccan position, notably marked by the opening of a Liberian Consulate General in Dakhla in March 2020 and the country's participation in the Ministerial Conference in support of the autonomy initiative under Moroccan sovereignty, co-organized with the United States on January 15, 2021.

Additionally, Nyanti highlighted the strategic role of the southern provinces of Morocco, describing them as a major African hub. In this regard, she called for drawing inspiration from the development experience of these provinces to develop and implement a continental-scale development policy.

Source: Le Matin du Sahara