Daily Press Review - Thursday, April 18, 2024

Toward a Label for Sustainable Tourism in Morocco (Aujourd'hui le Maroc)

As part of the acceleration of the Blue Economy project in Morocco, a call for expressions of interest has been launched for the labeling of activities related to sustainable tourism.

This project aims to promote collaborative governance for the Blue Economy and to integrate climate action into fishing and coastal tourism.

The Project Management Unit for the Acceleration of the Blue Economy in Morocco, established within the Ministry of Economy and Finance, is responsible for monitoring the execution of this project.

The labeling program, to be completed in 9 months, is part of the deployment of the Accelerated Development Project for the Blue Economy in the Kingdom.

Funded by the Problue Trust Fund, this project will serve as parallel financing to the Program for Results (PPR) Blue Economy (EB) and provide technical support to the Moroccan government.

Nouvelair Connects Casablanca to Tunis with 3 Weekly Flights (Aujourd'hui le Maroc)

Nouvelair has announced the launch of its new air route connecting Casablanca and Tunis, starting April 13, 2024. This new service is part of the company's development plan for 2024.

The route links Casablanca's Mohammed V International Airport to Tunis-Carthage International Airport with three weekly frequencies (Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday).

Nouvelair offers a promotional fare for the round-trip ticket starting from 1,399 dirhams.

"After launching 15 new routes in 2023, Casablanca-Tunis is one of the five routes on which the company will focus its development in 2024," said Chokri Zarrad, CEO of Nouvelair.

"We are convinced that this new route will further strengthen relations between the two countries and open up new prospects for economic, commercial, and tourist cooperation, bringing Tunisia even closer to our dear brothers in Morocco and facilitating travel for Tunisians residing in Morocco to Tunisia and vice versa," he added.

This new air route is expected to contribute to boosting commercial and tourist exchanges between Morocco and Tunisia.

Morocco Shines for the Second Time at the Milan Furniture Fair (Aujourd'hui le Maroc)

For the second consecutive year, Morocco is strongly represented at the Milan Furniture Fair, a major event in design and furniture. A significant delegation, led by the Minister of Tourism, Crafts, and the Social and Solidarity Economy, Fatim-Zahra Ammor, is participating in the fair from April 16 to 21, 2024.

"The Milan Furniture Fair is a very selective and prestigious event, known as the global summit of design and furniture. We are delighted to be able to showcase Moroccan craftsmanship, which is generating great interest," said the minister.

The objective of this participation is to provide selected Moroccan artisans access to renowned distributors and buyers present at the fair, so they can showcase their work and establish commercial partnerships.

Ten Moroccan brands specializing in furniture, decoration, carpets, and flooring are exhibiting their creations in a specially arranged 200-square-meter pavilion.

Africa: World Bank Aims to Electrify 250 Million People by 2030 (L'Economiste)

The World Bank announced on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, the launch of an ambitious program to connect 250 million Africans to electricity by 2030.

This major initiative will significantly reduce the number of people without access to electricity in Africa, a continent where over 568 million inhabitants still lack this vital energy source.

The program mainly targets sub-Saharan African countries, which have the majority of the world's population without electricity. Among these countries are Ethiopia, Mauritania, Angola, Nigeria, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Niger, the DRC, Burkina Faso, the Central African Republic, Malawi, Burundi, Chad, and South Sudan.

This large-scale project aligns with the World Bank's commitment to promoting sustainable development in Africa. Indeed, access to electricity is a key factor for economic growth, poverty reduction, and improving the quality of life for populations.

Nadia Fettah Calls for Proactive and Innovative Risk Management in Insurance (L'Economiste)

During the 10th edition of the Casablanca Insurance Rendez-vous, held on Wednesday, April 17, Nadia Fettah, Minister of Economy and Finance, urged the sector to adopt a proactive and innovative approach to risk management.

According to the minister, this approach is essential to meet the constantly evolving needs of populations and complement the actions of public authorities in priority areas such as social protection, financial inclusion, and coverage of catastrophic risks.

Indeed, the impact of climate change, which exacerbates the frequency and intensity of weather phenomena, is pushing the insurance sector into an era of uncertainty where traditional forecasting methods are no longer sufficient.

Moreover, disruptive technological advancements are transforming usage, habits, and behaviors, continually inducing new, more personalized and complex needs and expectations in terms of coverage and support.

Dakhla-Oued Eddahab Highlights its Economic Potential in Madrid (Al Bayane)

A high-level economic forum was held on Tuesday in Madrid to present the business opportunities offered by the Dakhla-Oued Eddahab region. The event brought together around a hundred businessmen, representatives of large companies, and diplomats accredited in Spain.

Organized by the Madrid Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the Moroccan Embassy in Spain, this forum showcased the favorable business climate and numerous investment opportunities in the region.

Speakers included the President of the Regional Council, El Khattat Yanja, the Moroccan Ambassador to Spain, Karima Benyaich, and the Vice President of the Madrid Chamber of Commerce, Augusto de Castaneda.

Discussions focused on the business climate and investment opportunities in the Dakhla region, sectoral strategies for Morocco-Dakhla Region, and the presentation of the new Dakhla Atlantic Port.

Morocco Captivates Americans in Washington (Al Bayane)

The Moroccan National Tourist Office (ONMT) launched the second stage of its roadshow in the United States on Tuesday in Washington. The objective is to present the diversity and richness of Morocco's tourist and hotel offerings and to consolidate its share in the lucrative American market.

An evening in an authentically Moroccan setting was organized for this occasion, attended by the Moroccan Ambassador to Washington, Youssef Amrani, American personalities, tourist operators, and media.

Mr. Amrani emphasized that Morocco, with its millennia-old culture and ancestral heritage, is a unique destination offering a "mosaic" of authenticity and modernity.

The diplomat also highlighted the vast potential of the Kingdom as a premier tourist destination, with its historical treasures, rich cultural heritage, stunning natural beauty, legendary hospitality, modern infrastructure, and commitment to sustainable tourism.

For her part, Siham Fettouhi, Director of ONMT for North America, stated that this roadshow aims to improve the visibility of the Moroccan destination and achieve ambitious goals set for the American market.

Increase in Tuition Fees in Private Schools: Towards a New Rise for the 2024-2025 Academic Year? (Le Matin du Sahara)

The issue of tuition fees in private schools in Morocco resurfaces as the 2024-2025 academic year approaches. Information circulating on social networks and testimonies from parents indicate a possible increase in fees in several establishments.

While no collective decision has been made yet, several schools seem to be considering this option, citing inflation and rising costs. This situation has sparked concern and anger among parents, already facing a difficult economic situation.

Testimonials from parents:

Amal, a mother of a child enrolled in a private school in Casablanca, claims to have been informed of an increase in tuition fees for the next year. "I find it unfair!" she exclaims. "The administrator did not justify these increases, and the only reason he mentioned was the impact of inflation on the direct and indirect costs borne by the school."

Adil, a father of two children enrolled in another private school, also expresses his dissatisfaction. "My children's school informed me of an increase in tuition fees for next year. I tried to negotiate, but in vain," he regrets. "If the services and courses remain the same, what would justify an increase in monthly fees?" he wonders.

Contacted by the press, Kamal Daissaoui, president of the FEP, stated that there is no collective decision made by private schools regarding an increase in tuition fees. He reiterated that "price freedom within the bounds of the law" is the prevailing rule in the private education sector.