Daily Press Review - Monday, June 3, 2024

S.A.R. Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan Presides Over the Final of the 23rd Hassan II Trophy of Traditional Equestrian Arts "Tbourida"

His Royal Highness Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan presided over the final of the 23rd edition of the Hassan II Trophy of traditional equestrian arts "Tbourida" on Sunday in Rabat, Morocco. This event is part of the Moroccan championship.

The competition took place from May 27 to June 2 at the Royal Complex of Equestrian Sports and Tbourida in Dar Es Salam, under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI.

Upon his arrival at the Royal Complex of Equestrian Sports and Tbourida in Dar Es Salam, His Royal Highness Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan was welcomed by Moulay Abdellah Alaoui, President of the Royal Moroccan Federation of Equestrian Sports (FRMSE).

After reviewing a section of the Royal Guard, Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan was greeted by the Minister of National Education, Preschool, and Sports, Chakib Benmoussa, the Minister of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development, and Water and Forests, Mohamed Sadiki, and the Minister of Youth, Culture, and Communication, Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid.

His Royal Highness was also greeted by the President of the Moroccan National Olympic Committee, Fayçal Laraichi, the Wali of the Rabat-Salé-Kénitra region, Mohamed El Yacoubi, members of the FRMSE federal bureau, sponsors, and several other dignitaries.

Subsequently, amid cheers from the audience at the Royal Complex of Equestrian Sports and Tbourida in Dar Es-Salam, Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan took his place in the honor tent, from where he watched the final of the Hassan II Trophy of traditional equestrian arts.

At the end of this prestigious competition organized by the FRMSE, Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan awarded the gold medal for the 23rd Hassan II Trophy of traditional equestrian arts "Tbourida" in the Seniors category to the riders of the sorba from the Casablanca-Settat region (Berrechid prefecture), led by moqaddem Rachid Sikas. He awarded the silver medal to the sorba of moqaddem Charaf El Bahraoui from the Marrakech-Safi region (Marrakech prefecture) and the bronze medal to the sorba from the Béni Mellal-Khénifra region (Béni Mellal prefecture), led by moqaddem Abdelghani Benkhada.

Source: Le Matin du Sahara

Morocco Showcases Resilience and Tourism Potential at Islamic Conference of Tourism Ministers

Morocco actively participated in the 12th session of the Islamic Conference of Tourism Ministers, held in Khiva, Uzbekistan, from June 1 to June 3, 2024. This conference provided an opportunity for the Kingdom to showcase its travel tradition, resilience in the face of crises, and strong tourism potential.

During the ministerial meeting, Moroccan Ambassador to Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan, Mr. Adil Embarch, highlighted Morocco's rich heritage in travel, exemplified by the accounts of explorer Ibn Battuta, who visited Khiva in 1330.

The Moroccan diplomat also emphasized Morocco's ability to overcome challenges, particularly in the tourism sector. He recalled the measures taken by the Kingdom to address the Covid-19 crisis and the earthquake that struck the Al Haouz region in September 2023. The successful organization of the Annual Meetings of the IMF and World Bank in Marrakech, a month after the earthquake, demonstrates Morocco's resilience and the trust placed in it by international partners.

Source: Le Matin du Sahara

Moroccan Sahara: Omar Hilale Denounces Algeria's Instrumentalization of its Security Council Mandate

Morocco's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Omar Hilale, denounced on Friday Algeria's instrumentalization of its Security Council mandate to advance its biased position on the issue of the Moroccan Sahara.

In a letter addressed to the President and members of the Security Council, Mr. Hilale criticized the attitude of the Algerian Ambassador, Amar Bendjama, who took advantage of a briefing on refugees to discuss the Moroccan Sahara, a matter not on the agenda.

"The Kingdom of Morocco regrets that the briefing organized by the Security Council on May 30, 2024, on the situation of refugees and displaced persons in the world, was instrumentalized by the Ambassador, Permanent Representative of Algeria, Amar Bendjama, in his capacity as a non-permanent member of the Council, to promote the biased position of his country on the issue of the Moroccan Sahara, as well as on the disastrous situation that unfortunately characterizes the daily lives of the populations sequestered in the Tindouf camps, in Algeria," Mr. Hilale stressed.

The Moroccan ambassador highlighted that Algeria "does not welcome the populations of the Tindouf camps. On the contrary, it has been holding them against their will for over five decades. It instrumentalizes them in its policy of constant hostility against the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Morocco."

Source: Le Matin du Sahara

El Jadida: Meeting on Modernization and Support for Local Commerce

A meeting on the modernization and support of local commerce was held Friday evening at the Chamber of Commerce, Industry, and Services of El Jadida, with the attendance of numerous industry professionals.

Initiated by the Provincial Union of Enterprises and Professions, this meeting is part of the Union's annual program aimed at enhancing the skills and consolidating the achievements of affiliated merchants and artisans, stated Mr. Faycal Al Borji, President of the Union.

The gathering provided an opportunity to introduce participants to the latest trends in the modernization of local commerce, particularly focusing on the use of new technologies and adaptation to consumer needs.

Mr. Al Borji emphasized the significance of local commerce in the local economic fabric, highlighting its role in job creation and boosting the local economy.

He also highlighted the challenges facing this sector, such as competition from large retailers and evolving consumer trends.

Source: Aujourd'hui le Maroc

Bank Credits Continue Upward Trend in Morocco

The total outstanding bank credits in Morocco reached 1.097 trillion dirhams for the first four months of 2024, up by 6% compared to the same period last year, according to the latest statistics from Bank Al-Maghrib.

This increase is primarily attributed to the rise in loans to the non-financial sector, which reached 923.37 billion dirhams, an increase of 24.26 billion dirhams compared to the same period last year, representing a 2.7% annual growth.

The growth in loans to the non-financial sector is attributed to the increase in credits to non-financial public companies (+17.7%) and real estate developers (+4%). However, credits to the private sector increased by only 1.1%, compared to 1.9% in March 2024, reflecting a deceleration in the growth of credits to private non-financial companies (from 1.9% to 0.9%) and to households (from 1% to 0.5%).

Source: Aujourd'hui le Maroc

Operation Marhaba 2024: New Facilities for Moroccan Residents Abroad (MRE)

The Customs and Indirect Tax Administration (ADII) has issued a circular regarding Operation Marhaba 2024, offering increased facilities to Moroccans residing abroad (MRE) for the temporary importation of their vehicles into Morocco.

This royal initiative, in line with the warm welcome tradition reserved for MREs every year, aims to facilitate their stays in Morocco and strengthen ties with this significant community.

Circular No. 6568/311 introduces several significant regulatory relaxations, including extending the stay period for vehicles imported under temporary admission (TA) by an additional six months.

Source: Aujourd'hui le Maroc

Operation Marhaba 2024: New Facilities for MREs

The Customs and Indirect Taxes Administration (ADII) has issued a circular regarding Operation Marhaba 2024, offering increased facilities to Moroccans residing abroad (MREs) for the temporary importation of their vehicles into Morocco.

This royal initiative, which is part of the warm welcome tradition reserved for MREs each year, aims to facilitate their stays in Morocco and strengthen ties with this important community.

Circular No. 6568/311 introduces several significant regulatory relaxations, including extending the stay period for vehicles imported under Temporary Admission (AT) by an additional six months.

Source: Les Inspirations Eco

Morocco: Robotic Surgery Opens New Era in Cancer Treatment

Oncorad Group, specialized in cancer prevention and treatment, has achieved a historic milestone by introducing robotic surgery in Morocco. This cutting-edge technology, offering unmatched precision and finesse, opens new perspectives in the fight against cancer and significantly improves patient well-being.

The first robotic surgeries were successfully performed at Clinique Le Littoral in Casablanca, marking the beginning of a new era in the Moroccan medical landscape. These interventions, performed using the surgical robot "Tournai," allowed patients to benefit from minimally invasive, less traumatic, and more effective surgery.

The "Tournai" robot does not operate alone but works in collaboration with the surgeon, who controls its movements remotely. This technology provides an immersive 3D view of the operating field, allowing the surgeon to perform unmatched precision movements. The robot's arms, with a wide range of motion, can access hard-to-reach areas not accessible by traditional laparoscopy.

Source: Les Inspirations Eco

King Mohammed VI Presides Over a Crucial Council of Ministers for the Future of Moroccan State-Owned Enterprises

His Majesty King Mohammed VI chaired a Council of Ministers dedicated to adopting the strategic orientations of the state's shareholder policy, examining several legislative and regulatory texts, and making appointments to senior positions. The Minister of Economy and Finance presented to the Council the strategic orientations of the state's shareholder policy, developed in accordance with Royal High Directives. These orientations aim to reconfigure the public portfolio, improve its management, and undertake necessary reforms in key sectors of the national economy.

The state's shareholder policy revolves around seven major axes:

1. Establishing the public sector as a strategic lever for consolidating national sovereignty by supporting the state's efforts in vital areas such as energy, health, water, food security, environment, connectivity, and mobility.
2. Making the public sector a driver of continental and international integration by contributing to addressing geostrategic challenges, safeguarding the interests of the Kingdom, and strengthening South-South cooperation, particularly with brotherly African countries.
3. Turning the public sector into a pillar for boosting private investment by establishing proactive partnerships with the private sector, in a logic of complementarity and enhancing its contribution to the national economic dynamic.
4. Making the public sector a catalyst for a competitive economy by supporting viable and agile economic models, in line with regulatory requirements, competitive environment, and market opportunities.
5. Elevating the public sector as an active actor in territorial equity, serving economic and social, financial, and digital inclusion, within the framework of advanced regionalization, ensuring equitable citizen access to quality public services.
6. Managing resources responsibly, ensuring the optimization of the economic and financial performance of public enterprises, and preserving natural resources and the environment.
7. Enhancing the governance of public enterprises by strengthening internal and external control mechanisms, promoting transparency and accountability, and valuing human capital.

Source: Liberation

Japan Reiterates Support for Moroccan Autonomy Initiative for the Sahara

Japan reaffirmed its support for the Moroccan autonomy initiative to resolve the Sahara dispute, praising Morocco's "serious and credible" efforts to advance the process towards a sustainable solution. This position was expressed by Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa during her meeting with her Moroccan counterpart, Nasser Bourita, during an official visit of the Moroccan diplomacy chief to Japan. Minister Kamikawa reiterated Japan's "consistent" position, supporting the Moroccan autonomy initiative presented by the Kingdom in 2007 as a credible basis for negotiations to achieve a mutually acceptable settlement of the Sahara dispute. The Japanese minister also commended Morocco's "serious and credible" efforts to advance the political process towards a durable solution to the conflict, in accordance with the relevant resolutions of the United Nations Security Council.

Source: L'Opinion

Morocco: Slight Progression in the Kingdom's Ranking in the Global Startup Ecosystem

Morocco has gained one place in the Global Startup Ecosystem Index (GSEI) 2024, positioning itself at 92nd place, reinforcing its leadership in North Africa. This ranking, conducted by the research firm Startup Blink, evaluates startup ecosystems based on three criteria: the number of startups, their quality, and their business environment. Morocco achieves a total score of 0.558, slightly higher than last year. This progression can be attributed to several factors, including a solid base for entrepreneurs, a young and connected population, and encouraging successes in the startup scene, marked by notable exits and significant fundraising.

Source: L'Opinion