Daily Press Review - Wednesday, March 20, 2024

Gitex Africa Morocco: 200 Moroccan Startups for the 2nd Edition

In preparation for the 2nd edition of Gitex Africa Morocco, taking place from May 29th to 31st in Marrakech, a call for applications has been launched to select 200 national startups.

Dedicated to new technologies, this event will provide selected startups with the opportunity to showcase their innovative projects and ideas to a broad audience of investors, entrepreneurs, and industry professionals.

The objective is to highlight the potential and expertise of Moroccan startups and provide them with opportunities for growth and internationalization.

Selected startups will receive personalized support through roadshows and boot camps conducted by experts.

Source: Les Inspirations Eco

Avocado Season: Record Production and Strong Exports

The 2023-2024 season for Moroccan avocados concluded on a highly positive note, with a national record production of 65,000 tons, marking a 62.5% increase compared to the previous season.

Despite the water crisis affecting the country, the sector managed to sustain its growth, with exports reaching 57,000 tons, an unprecedented volume.

Major export markets for Moroccan avocados include Europe (Spain, France, the Netherlands, Italy, Germany, etc.) and the Gulf region (United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia).

Source: L'Economiste

Casablanca: New Underground Parking with 520 Spaces in Maârif

The Maârif district of Casablanca will soon have a new underground parking facility with 520 spaces, built on the site of the former Ibn Tofail college.

This project, part of the city's development plan, aims to address the increasing demand for parking in this bustling commercial district.

Spanning an area of 18,000 square meters across two levels, the parking will be accessible from Normandie and Kadi Iass streets and will feature surface landscaping (green spaces, parking spots, pedestrian walkways, etc.).

Casa-Transports has already issued two calls for tenders for the project's implementation.

Source: L'Economiste

French Tourists Lead Arrivals to Morocco in 2023

Morocco continues to attract tourists from around the world, with a 14% increase in arrivals at border posts during the first two months of 2023.

France remains the leading source market, with 307,000 French tourists visiting the Kingdom, marking an 11% increase compared to the same period the previous year.

Spain and the United Kingdom follow, with 189,000 and 130,000 tourists respectively.

Arrivals from the Italian and German markets have also increased by 11% and 38% respectively.

Source: Aujourd'hui le Maroc

Social Dialogue: Unions Await Resumption on March 26

Social dialogue will resume on Tuesday, March 26th, under the presidency of Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch.

This round of talks is eagerly anticipated by unions, who hope to address crucial issues such as salary increases, tax revision, and labor code reform.

However, the agenda has not yet been communicated, raising concerns among the unions.

For instance, UMT refuses to engage in "dialogue for the sake of dialogue" and demands concrete discussions on specific points.

Source: Le Matin du Sahara

Unemployment in Morocco: 51.2% of Unemployed Have Never Worked

Morocco continues to grapple with persistent unemployment, particularly among youth and graduates, according to the latest data from the High Commission for Planning (HCP).

In 2023, the unemployment rate reached 13%, marking a 1.2-point increase compared to 2022. This rise is more pronounced in urban areas (+1 point) and among women (+1.1 points).

Even more concerning, 51.2% of the unemployed have never worked. Among them, 75.7% are under 35 years old, and 82.6% are graduates.

Youth unemployment has worsened, rising from 32.7% to 35.8%. This age group represents the most affected, with over a third of young people unemployed.

Source: Al Bayane

Aïd Al-Adha 2024: ONSSA Launches Operation to Identify Sheep and Goats

The National Office for Food Safety (ONSSA) has initiated the operation to identify sheep and goats destined for Aïd Al-Adha 1445 (2024).

This initiative, conducted in collaboration with the National Ovine and Caprine Association (ANOC) and under the auspices of the Ministry of Agriculture, aims to ensure the traceability of animals sacrificed during this religious festival.

The identification operation is part of ONSSA's ongoing efforts to guarantee food safety and protect consumer health.

Source: Al Bayane

Larache: INDH Boosts Social and Solidarity Economy with Herbanord Cooperative

The National Initiative for Human Development (INDH) has committed to promoting the social and solidarity economy (SSE) in the Larache province as an essential pillar of local development.

This commitment has enabled numerous project leaders, such as the Herbanord cooperative, to launch their initiatives and contribute to the socio-economic dynamics of the region.

Situated in Ksar El Kébir, the Herbanord cooperative specializes in the production of natural cosmetic products based on aromatic and medicinal plants.

Source: Aujourd'hui le Maroc

Beneficial Rains for Autumn and Spring Crops in Fès-Meknès Region

Recent precipitation in the Fès-Meknès region is a boon for farmers after a long period of drought.

According to the Regional Directorate of Agriculture (DRA), these rains will have a positive impact on major autumn crops and promote the establishment of spring crops.

Additionally, they will benefit pastures, livestock, and replenish the groundwater.

Regarding the autumn crop rotation program, the DRA of Fès-Meknès indicates that 656,860 hectares have been seeded with autumn cereals, including 163,750 hectares of durum wheat and 314,320 hectares of soft wheat.

Source: Aujourd'hui le Maroc

Wastewater Treatment at Tamesna Prison: Administration Responds to Allegations

The administration of Tamesna local prison has refuted allegations circulated in a video on an online platform regarding the treatment of wastewater at the facility.

It asserts that wastewater is treated in accordance with prevailing standards at a dedicated treatment plant constructed for this purpose.

As the prison is not connected to the public sewage network, the treatment plant employs advanced techniques to ensure the quality of treated water.

Regular laboratory analyses confirm that the treated water meets prevailing standards.

Source: Liberation

Towards Easing the Judicial Machinery: New Code of Criminal Procedure Soon to Be Revealed

After months of preparation and consultations with all concerned stakeholders, Minister of Justice, Abdellatif Ouahbi, is set to unveil the reform of the Code of Criminal Procedure.

This text, eagerly awaited by lawyers and legal professionals, promises numerous changes and aims to redefine the balance of power between the defense and the prosecution.

Police interrogations, custody regime, pre-trial detention, alternative sentences, judicial inquiry... the areas of evolution are manifold and aim to streamline the judicial machinery.

Source: L'Opinion

Morocco-France: €1.42 Billion AFD Loan to Support Education System Reform

The Ministry of Economy and Finance and the French Development Agency (AFD) have signed a financing program totaling €134.7 million (1.42 billion MAD) to support the reform of the national education system. This program includes a €130 million loan and a €4.7 million technical assistance grant.

The first convention, valued at €130 million (1.42 billion MAD), comprises a credit aimed at financing the roadmap support program for the education system reform, with the AFD aiming to achieve three objectives:

- Ensuring the quality of learning to double the rate of primary students mastering fundamentals.
- Enforcing compulsory education to reduce school dropout by a third.
- Promoting personal development and civics, and doubling the rate of students benefiting from extracurricular activities.

The second convention, worth €4.7 million (approximately 50 million MAD), takes the form of a grant to mobilize technical support to accompany the implementation of planned educational reforms, as explained by the AFD in a statement.

Source: L'Opinion

MREs Contribute 115 Billion MAD to National Economy in 2023

Moroccans residing abroad (MREs) contributed 115 billion Moroccan dirhams (MAD) to the national economy in 2023 through money transfers, according to a publication by OMEGA Center for Economy & Geopolitics Researchs (OCEGS).

This figure confirms the crucial role played by MREs in Morocco's development.

In addition to their financial contributions, MREs have also brought significant added value to the national economy through:

- Active participation in the tourism sector.
- Investment in various domains.
- Transfer of skills and expertise.

Source: Les Inspirations Eco