Daily Press Review - Friday, February 23, 2024

SIAM 2024: Morocco Prepares to Host a Major Agricultural Event

The International Agricultural Show in Morocco (SIAM) will take place from April 22 to 28, 2024, in Meknes, under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI.

During a press conference on February 21 in Rabat, the Minister of Agriculture, Mohamed Sadiki, presented the details of this 16th edition, which promises to be one of the largest ever organized.

The exhibition will cover an area of 12.4 hectares, including 11 hectares of covered space, representing a 13% increase compared to the previous edition.

Twelve thematic poles will be present to highlight the entire Moroccan agricultural ecosystem, including the national agricultural strategy, technological innovations, best practices, and solutions for a more resilient, sustainable, and environmentally friendly agriculture.

Le Matin du Sahara

ANGSPE Launches Institutional Website for Better Communication and Increased Information Access

The National Agency for Strategic Management of State Participations and Monitoring of the Performance of Public Institutions and Enterprises (ANGSPE) has launched its institutional website www.angspe.ma.

This website aims to be a new digital showcase for the Moroccan public sector. Its objectives are:

- To improve ANGSPE's communication.
- To facilitate public access to information.
- To strengthen collaboration with the 57 public institutions and enterprises in ANGSPE's portfolio.

Les Inspirations Eco

Medical Students' Strike: Government Remains Firm on Its Positions

The standoff continues between the government and medical and pharmacy students on strike for several weeks.

During a joint press conference, the Ministers of Higher Education and Health displayed a firm stance against the students' demands.

Abdellatif Miraoui, Minister of Higher Education, reiterated the government's efforts to find common ground and the points of agreement already reached. He criticized the behavior of the students, stating that they "no longer respond to calls to resume dialogue."

Khalid Aït Taleb, Minister of Health, emphasized the importance of reforming the medical training system to meet the country's needs for social protection.

The government refuses to yield to the students' demands, particularly regarding the reduction of the training period to six years.

Le Matin du Sahara

Ompic's 2023 Report: Decrease in Business Creations

The Moroccan Office of Industrial and Commercial Property (Ompic) has released its annual report for the year 2023, presenting key data on business creations, patent filings, and trademarks in Morocco.

The number of companies created in 2023 slightly decreased compared to the previous year. 93,517 new companies were registered with the commercial register in 2023, compared to 94,723 in 2022.

The Single-Member Limited Liability Company (SARLAU) remains the most favored legal form by business creators, representing 64.3% of the new entities created in 2023.

Casablanca-Settat is the region that recorded the highest number of business creations in 2023, followed by Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima, Rabat-Sale-Kenitra, and Marrakech-Safi.

Aujourd'hui le Maroc

Moroccan Pharmaceutical Market: Slowdown in 2023, Expected Recovery in 2024

The Moroccan pharmaceutical market experienced its first decline in 2023 after uninterrupted growth for several years.

In 2022, the market's gross turnover reached 14.6 billion dirhams, representing a growth of 7.9% compared to 2021. However, 2023 saw a decrease of 1% in value and over 5% in volume.

Several factors seem to explain this decline, including:

- Stock shortages of branded drugs: these drugs, which represent more than 55% of the market, faced supply difficulties, disrupting laboratory deliveries.
- A delayed impact of the generalization of the Mandatory Health Insurance (AMO): the integration of RAMED beneficiaries into the AMO system in December 2022 has not yet had the expected effect on market growth.

Some experts believe that 2023 was a consolidation year before a resumption of growth in 2024.

Casablanca Stock Exchange: Launch of Trading Simulator for Better Financial Inclusion

The Casablanca Stock Exchange is adapting to the digital age by launching a new trading simulator in partnership with TradingView, a platform used by 50 million users worldwide.

The objective of this simulator is to promote a new entrepreneurial spirit and to reach out to the general public, especially the current generation.

In practical terms, it will allow users to create virtual stock portfolios and test thoughtful investment strategies.

The simulator's launch took place in the presence of Kamal Mokdad, President of the Board of Directors of the Casablanca Stock Exchange, Rauan Khassan, Vice-President of TradingView, Nadia Fettah Alaoui, Minister of Economy and Finance, and Ghita Mezzour, Delegate Minister in charge of Digital Transition and Administrative Reform.

Al Bayane

Morocco, UNESCO, and Japan Unite to Strengthen Natural Disaster Management

Morocco, UNESCO, and Japan are joining forces to strengthen the management of natural disasters, particularly earthquakes, following the earthquake on September 8, 2023, that struck the country.

A new project, funded by Japan with $900,000 and implemented by UNESCO, aims to:

- Enhance the capacities of professionals by sharing cutting-edge international practices in seismology, risk reduction, and reconstruction.
- Raise awareness among populations in the provinces of Al Haouz, Marrakech, Ouarzazate, and Taroudant about preventive measures and reflexes to adopt in the event of an earthquake.

Morocco, located in a significant seismic activity zone, is exposed to numerous seismic risks. The Al Haouz earthquake highlighted the need to strengthen prevention and preparedness for natural disasters.

Japan's expertise in earthquake management and UNESCO's experience in natural risk reduction make this partnership a major asset for Morocco.

Aujourd'hui le Maroc

ONDH Partners with CNDP to Enhance Personal Data Protection

A partnership agreement between the National Observatory for Human Development (ONDH) and the National Commission for the Control of Personal Data (CNDP) was concluded in Rabat on Wednesday. This initiative aims to adhere to the "DATA-TIKA" program launched by the Commission in July 2020.

Signed by the president of ONDH, Otmane Gair, and the president of CNDP, Omar Seghrouchni, this agreement aims primarily to ensure ONDH's compliance with personal data protection regulations. This compliance concerns data processed in the context of household panel surveys.

This partnership is based on three essential components. Firstly, it includes support to ensure ONDH's compliance with Law No. 09-08 on personal data protection. Secondly, it involves strengthening ONDH's capacities in the field of information technology, in line with its new strategic positioning. Finally, it encompasses the observation of challenges related to personal data protection, particularly concerning their collection, processing, analysis, storage, and security, in the areas of intervention of the Observatory.

Liberation