Daily Press Review - June 28, 2024

Festival National des Arts Populaires: Marrakech Hosts Nearly 800 Moroccan and Foreign Artists

Nearly 800 Moroccan and foreign artists will gather in Marrakech for the 53rd edition of the Festival National des Arts Populaires (FNAP), scheduled from July 4 to 8. This major cultural event, under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, celebrates the richness and diversity of Morocco's artistic heritage.

This year's theme is "Rhythms and Eternal Symbols." China is the guest of honor and will participate in numerous performances and activities. The program includes performances by Moroccan folklore troupes from all regions of the country, concerts of traditional and modern music, craft exhibitions, and workshops showcasing popular arts.

New features of this edition include thematic evenings at the Bahia Palace dedicated to showcasing heritage, and the revival of the "Night of the Stars" featuring artist Nouaman Lahlou. Events at the Bahia Palace will include an international evening for musical groups from China, Indonesia, Africa, and Morocco, emphasizing the importance of interaction between modern and traditional music.

Source: Al Bayane

Moroccan Women Parliamentarians in Doha for International Conference on Countering Terrorism

A delegation of Moroccan female parliamentarians is participating in an international conference on "the role of women parliamentarians in the implementation and oversight of legislation, policies, and strategies to combat terrorism and violent extremism." The conference, held in Doha on June 27 and 28, is organized by the Shura Council of Qatar and the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism in Doha.

The Moroccan delegation includes Nadia Touhami, Vice President of the House of Representatives, and Nadia Bouzandoufa, Secretary of the House of Representatives. During this two-day meeting, participants will discuss the crucial role of women parliamentarians in combating terrorism and violent extremism. They will also address gender integration in preventing violent extremism, full women's participation in counter-terrorism efforts, as well as challenges, gaps, and partnerships in combating these issues.

The conference will conclude with the adoption of a series of recommendations on the role of women parliamentarians in combating terrorism and eradicating violent extremism. On the sidelines of the conference, the Moroccan delegation will hold bilateral meetings with delegations from other participating countries. These meetings aim to strengthen parliamentary cooperation, bridge perspectives, and rejuvenate relations between the House of Representatives of Morocco and legislative institutions of other countries.

Source: Al Bayane

Abdellatif Hammouchi Strengthens Security Cooperation with Germany: Focus on Counter-Terrorism and Securing Major Sporting Events

Abdellatif Hammouchi, Director General of National Security and Territorial Surveillance (DGSN-DGST), conducted a working visit to Germany from June 24 to 26, 2024. This official visit aimed to enhance bilateral cooperation between the two countries in the field of security, particularly in counter-terrorism, organized transnational crime, and securing major sporting events.

During his visit, Mr. Hammouchi met with Dieter Romann, President of the Bundespolizei, Holger Münch, President of the BKA, and other German security officials. Discussions focused on ways to strengthen cooperation between the two countries in these areas. Both parties reviewed the achievements of security cooperation between Morocco and Germany and discussed regional and international security challenges.

The Director General of DGSN-DGST and his delegation visited the German Joint Counter-Terrorism Center in Berlin. They were briefed on the center's operational mechanisms and discussed prospects for cooperation with Moroccan security services in combating transnational terrorist threats.

Source: Le Matin du Sahara

Aesthetic Medicine: Morocco Embraces a Global Trend

Aesthetic medicine is experiencing rapid growth worldwide, and Morocco is no exception. Moroccan women, in particular, are increasingly embracing these techniques, especially non-invasive procedures that offer natural-looking results with minimal downtime. However, vigilance is crucial to prevent illegal practices that can lead to serious complications.

Globally, the aesthetic medicine market reached $19.3 billion in 2023, with projections expecting continuous growth to exceed $30 billion by 2028. This trend is also reflected in Morocco, where there is growing demand for procedures such as botulinum toxin and hyaluronic acid injections, anti-aging treatments, laser hair removal, and other aesthetic interventions.

Non-invasive treatments like Emface and Exion, which use electromagnetic energy, radiofrequency, or ultrasound, are gaining popularity due to their effectiveness, safety, and minimal invasiveness. These techniques improve skin quality, lift the face, and treat alopecia without surgery or injections.

Source: Le Matin du Sahara

Morocco Ranks Among Top Eight Global Beneficiaries of Renewable Energy Investments

Morocco continues its successful energy transition, now ranking eighth globally in terms of financial flows in renewable energies, with a total of $6.2 billion attracted between 2010 and 2021, according to a report by the International Renewable Energy Agency. These substantial investments have primarily focused on solar and wind development, two pillars of the national energy strategy.

This remarkable performance places Morocco among the 23 countries concentrating 80% of global financial flows dedicated to renewable energies. India, Pakistan, Brazil, and Mexico lead this ranking, reflecting global enthusiasm for clean and sustainable energy sources.

Buoyed by this momentum, Morocco aims even higher for the future. The Kingdom plans to increase its renewable energy production capacity by an additional 6.5 GW within the next four years, reaching a total of 20 GW. This ambitious strategy is accompanied by parallel investments in green gas and hydrogen, promising vectors of a successful energy transition.

Source: Les Inspirations Eco

EBRD Invests $40 Million to Support Businesses in North Africa

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has announced a commitment of $40 million to a new fund managed by SPE Capital. This fund, named SPE PEF III (PEF III), aims to support medium-sized enterprises in Morocco, Egypt, and Tunisia.

EBRD's investment will contribute to diversifying sources of financing for business growth in the region. PEF III will invest in companies operating in sectors resilient to market shocks and with high growth potential, such as manufacturing, agribusiness, business services, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, and private education.

This commitment is part of EBRD's ongoing efforts to promote inclusive and sustainable economic development in North Africa. The bank has already invested over €19 billion in the region since 2012, supporting hundreds of projects across various sectors.

"We are delighted to partner with SPE Capital to support medium-sized enterprises in North Africa," said Anne Fosseinalle, Director of Investments in Private Equity Funds at EBRD. "This investment will strengthen the resilience of financial markets and stimulate economic growth in the region."

Source: Aujourd'hui le Maroc

Haifa Wehbe and Other International Stars Succumb to the Charm of the Moroccan Caftan

Haifa Wehbe, the renowned Lebanese singer, caused a sensation at her recent concert at the Mawazine Festival by wearing a stunning black Moroccan caftan adorned with golden embroideries. This elegant attire earned her acclaim from the audience and once again highlighted the allure of the Moroccan caftan among international stars.

On her social media, Haifa Wehbe shared photos of herself in the caftan, captioned with "embracing the magic of Morocco." She expressed her admiration for this ancestral garment, describing it as "a princely and royal attire that makes any woman who wears it divine."

This isn't the first time Haifa Wehbe has showcased her love for the Moroccan caftan. In 2022, she had previously posted photos of herself in a pink caftan on her Instagram account and has often paid tribute to Moroccan culture and heritage.

Haifa Wehbe is not the only star to fall for the charm of the Moroccan caftan. Many Lebanese, Egyptian, and Western celebrities have also worn this iconic piece at events and fashion shows in Morocco.

Among them is Carole Samaha, who wore a caftan during a collection caftan exhibition at Caftan Week 2024. Lebanese actress Daniella Rahme, attending Morocco for the first time, also expressed admiration for the caftan, describing it as a symbol of elegance and sophistication.

Source: L'Opinion