Daily Press Review - Tuesday, March 26, 2024

Participation of Women in the Labor Market: Alarming Inactivity Rate in Morocco

The High Commission for Planning (HCP) revealed, in an intersectional study on the participation of women in the Moroccan labor market, that the probability of women's inactivity reaches an alarming rate of 73%. This figure is considerably higher than that of men, which stands at 7.5%.

The study highlights significant disparities based on marital status and age. Indeed, the probability of inactivity among married women is even higher, reaching 81.9%, compared to only 3.1% among married men. Similarly, young women aged 25 to 34 are particularly affected, with a probability of inactivity of 79.4%, compared to 3.3% for young men of the same age.

These alarming results stem from a study conducted as part of the Technical Assistance Partnership - Expert Deployment Mechanism (PAT-MDE).

Such a level of women's inactivity has significant economic and social consequences for Morocco. It is crucial to implement targeted policies and programs to encourage women's participation in the labor market and reduce these disparities.

Source: Al Bayane

Ramadan 2024: Significant Increase in Advertising Investments in Morocco

The month of Ramadan is synonymous with a peak in audience for media, due to changes in lifestyles and consumption habits, particularly in food. This period also attracts advertising investments for goods, services, and media, with variations from one year to another depending on the economic context.

Analyzing the key indicators of advertising investments for the first ten days of Ramadan 2024 provides insights into annual trends for all media: television, radio, outdoor, print, and digital. As every year, IMPERIUM provides media, agencies, and advertisers with key figures observed during this period, from March 12 to 22, 2024.

A significant overall increase in advertising investments is observed during this first decade of Ramadan, reaching nearly 450 million DH, representing a +27.7% increase compared to the previous year (352 MDH).

Source: Al Bayane

Strengthening Controls on Water Resource Exploitation in Guelmim-Oued Noun

The Draa-Oued Noun Hydraulic Basin Agency has announced the intensification of water police patrols in the Guelmim-Oued Noun region. This initiative aims to strengthen control over the exploitation of water resources and the use of the public water domain.

Water police patrols will cover the four provinces of the Guelmim-Oued Noun region: Guelmim, Sidi Ifni, Assa Zag, and Tan-Tan. The agency's intervention will also extend to the three provinces of the Draa-Tafilalet region (Ouarzazate, Zagora, Tinghir) and to the Tata province in the Souss-Massa region.

Source: Aujourd'hui le Maroc

ANRAC Strengthens Its Positioning to Regulate the Legal Cannabis Market in Morocco

The National Agency for the Regulation of Cannabis-Related Activities (ANRAC) is working to consolidate its crucial role in the development of the legal cannabis market in Morocco. Established in 2021, the agency has been focused on implementing the national strategy in this field, covering the cultivation, production, processing, marketing, and export of cannabis and its products for medical purposes.

The global legal cannabis market is experiencing exponential growth, driven by the multiple applications of the plant in medical and industrial sectors. Morocco, endowed with ancestral know-how in cannabis cultivation, has positioned itself to leverage this potential by regulating the activity rigorously and transparently.

Source: Aujourd'hui le Maroc

Morocco Stands Out as Major African Venture Capital Market in 2023

Despite the overall decrease in venture capital investments across the African continent in 2023, Morocco managed to distinguish itself by joining the Top 5 most attractive destinations.

The country captured 4% of transactions by volume, comprising 24 deals with a cumulative value of $17 million, confirming its status as a significant player in the African venture capital ecosystem.

This performance is particularly noteworthy considering the deteriorating market conditions that have prompted investors to exercise caution.

Indeed, venture capital investments in Africa decreased by about a third in 2023, both in volume and value. They totaled $4.5 billion across 603 transactions, compared to $6.7 billion in 2022.

Source: Le Matin du Sahara

Angry Opticians: "Anarchy" in the Health Sector Threatens Consumers' Health

The National Professional Union of Opticians in Morocco sounds the alarm. Faced with the proliferation of illegal and fraudulent practices in the optics sector, it launches an information campaign to raise public awareness and demand government intervention.

Fake diplomas, unauthorized medical caravans, misleading advertisements... the list of opticians' grievances is long. They denounce "anarchy" that endangers consumers' health and the integrity of the profession.

The union points fingers at the trafficking of fake diplomas issued by private vocational training schools. While some networks have been dismantled, the problem persists. "The supervisory ministry takes no action and never responds to our demands," laments Mina Ahkim, president of the union.

Source: Le Matin du Sahara

Three Slam Concerts to Celebrate Francophonie in Rabat, Casablanca, and Marrakech

As part of Francophonie Month, the General Delegation Wallonia-Brussels, the Embassy of Switzerland, the Quebec Office, and the French Institute of Morocco are organizing "The Grand Francophone Slam Night."

Six internationally renowned slam artists will take the stage:

- Noussayba Lahlou (Morocco)
- Nora Balile (Wallonia-Brussels)
- Célia (Switzerland)
- Dgiz (France)
- Le Grand Slack (Quebec)
- William Slam-Korban (Senegal)

Noussayba Lahlou, a prominent figure in Moroccan slam, will represent the country at these events.

As a songwriter and performer, she draws inspiration from her origins and travels, blending the power of slam with Arab melodies and contemporary rhythms.

Her socially conscious lyrics tackle universal themes such as love, freedom, and self-discovery.

Source: Le Matin du Sahara

Social Dialogue: Government and Unions Meet Amidst Tensions

The government and trade unions meet on Tuesday, March 26, for another round of social dialogue.

This meeting comes amidst social tensions in several sectors, notably due to rising prices and declining purchasing power.

Several important issues will be discussed during this session, including the draft law governing the right to strike, the revision of the Labor Code, and the reform of the pension system.

The delay in implementing the pension system reform is particularly worrying.

Bank Al-Maghrib has warned of the consequences of this delay, which could increase the cost of the reform and threaten the balance of public finances.

Unions fear that the government may resort to raising the retirement age to address the system's crisis.

Source: Liberation

Government Seeking Solutions to Moroccan Purchasing Power

A study by Sogecapital Bourse sheds light on the government's intention to establish a social state and support the purchasing power of Moroccans.

The decline in living standards between 2019 and 2022 has pushed 3.2 million people into precarious situations.

Inflation has been the primary cause, exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Despite government aid measures, the standard of living continued to decline in 2022.

The 2024 Finance Law includes fiscal reforms aimed at supporting the purchasing power of the most vulnerable.

These measures include VAT exemption on certain food and medical products, and an increase in customs duties on luxury goods.

The government is also seeking to fund social projects and promote green energy production.

Source: L'Opinion

Tourism: Fitch Solutions Forecasts Continuous Growth in Morocco

Fitch Solutions predicts continued growth in Morocco's tourism sector, with visitor numbers expected to reach 11 million by 2026.

This figure is slightly below the government's target of 17.5 million visitors.

Fitch Solutions' report, titled "Morocco Tourism Report," highlights that the sector is expected to continue its recovery in 2024, following a record year in 2023 with 14.5 million arrivals.

The growth will be driven by European markets, particularly France.

The increase in visitor numbers is expected to boost travel and transportation spending in Morocco, resulting in steady growth in international tourism revenue.

Source: L'Opinion

Akdital Aims for Monthly Openings in 2024 to Double Bed Capacity

Akdital Group, a major player in the healthcare sector in Morocco, achieved a turnover of 1.907 billion MAD in 2023, an 84% increase from the previous year.

Buoyed by this success, Akdital plans to open one establishment per month in 2024, aiming to reach 30 facilities across the Kingdom and double its bed capacity.

In 2023, the group inaugurated five new establishments:

- Multidisciplinary Clinic in Mohammedia
- Well-being Clinic in Bouskoura
- International Hospital in Fes
- International Oncology Center in Fes
- Private Hospital in Beni-Mellal

With these openings, Akdital increased its bed capacity to 2,300.

In 2024, the group plans to open more than 15 new establishments, targeting cities with critical needs for access to quality healthcare.

The objective is to reach 3,600 beds and be present in around thirty cities by the end of the year.

Source: Les Inspirations Eco