FOM Newsletter March 2003
Morocco Week in Review 
March 29 2003

About 27,804 new cases of Tuberculosis were reported in 2002 in Morocco, that is an annual rate of 94 cases for 100,000 inhabitants, a drop of 3.3%compared to 2001.  A release of the health ministry made public on the occasion of the tuberculosis day says the diseases will continue to be the focus of Moroccan authorities. In a similar development, Morocco's health ministry reported a 90% success of the Tuberculosis control program.  Despite the very encouraging results, tuberculosis remains a major problem in Morocco's public health in view of its socio-economic dimension, the release goes.  The figures were released as the world will be marking March 24 as the tuberculosis world day commemorating the discovery of the basil causing the disease by Robert Koch in 1882.  In Casablanca, the "SOS Tuberculosis" association is holding this Monday a series of awareness operations for doctors and the public, deeming that the disease requires joint efforts by all the society components. A series of lectures will be held for doctors, the youth and the public throughout this week. The campaign also includes a diagnosis day, radio and TV programs on the subject and the distribution of postings.  The theme selected for world TB day this year is "people with TB" and the slogan is "DOTS cured me -- It will cure you too!." The theme stresses the need to address the people with TB by involving them as advocates for global TB control.

Al Akhawayn University forges anti-poverty partnership with UNDP.

New York, Mar 27, 2003 (United Nations Development Programme/All Africa Global Media via COMTEX) -- Al Akhawayn University in Ifrane, northern Morocco, is joining with UNDP to promote anti-poverty activities and a human development agenda, the first initiative of its kind in the Arab region.  The innovative partnership makes the university an agent for development, in addition to its traditional role of teaching, research and training. For UNDP, it reflects the priority of joining forces with civil society organizations, the private sector and academic institutions.  "Our partnership with UNDP is strategic to us on account of our mission, which positions us as a focal point for development in the Ifrane region," said Rachid Slimi, Al Akhawayn's Executive Director. While the university works with other international agencies, collaborating with UNDP on development issues is "extremely valuable to us," he said, because of the UNDP hu an development approach. UNDP Resident Representative Emmanuel Dierckx de Casterle said: "We are very proud to have signed this innovative agreement with Al-Akhawayn University.  It constitutes a new type of partnership with academia, both in terms of human development advocacy and its promotion in the region through the implementation of poverty reduction activities."  The university is setting up development centres to assist poor communities, and UNDP will provide expertise and experience to support them. UNDP activities in Morocco include initiatives for poverty reduction through small loans and income-generating activities, gender and development, environmental conservation and renewable energy, access to information and communications technology, and the campaign against HIV/AIDS.  The first joint initiative by the partners was the Moroccan launch of the Arab Human Development Report 2002 at a media event in December and a seminar in January for decision makers from the public and private sectors and civil society.  Al Akhawayn is an independent institution with more than 15 student exchange agreements with partner institutions in the US, Europe and Asia. One of its pillars is tolerance, and it is a place where many cultures and religions converge. The partnership links the university to the UNDP global development network to build its knowledge base on human development, the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), and the six UNDP practices. This will be a resource for faculty and students and also enable the university to expand awareness among decision makers in the public sector and Parliament, civil society and the private sector about the MDGs and other human development issues.  The university will also offer training for UNDP staff, and its Institute of Economic Analysis and Prospective Studies can make a significant contribution towards preparing and promoting Morocco's National Human Development Reports. For further information please contact Leila Barakat, UNDP Morocco, or Nadine Shamounki, UNDP Communications Office. Copyright United Nations Development Programme. Distributed by All Africa Global Media(AllAfrica.com)

H.M. King Mohammed VI Orders New Population Census.

RABAT, Mar.25 - H.M. King Mohammed VI instructed this Tuesday the government to conduct a new nationwide population and housing census. The sovereign gave these directives during a ministers council that adopted a series of law projects related to the upcoming communal elections in Morocco. The latest population census was conducted in 1994. It found out that the Moroccan population numbers 26,730,000. Since independence in 1956, Morocco conducted four census in 1960, 1971, 1982 and 1994.

The UN committee for the elimination of racial discrimination voiced satisfaction with the efforts made by Morocco in human rights' education and information. At the end of its 62nd session, the UN committee said in "its final recommendations and observations" it was happy for the "growing attention" given to the Amazigh culture and for the setting up of a human rights documentation, information and training center. The creation of an Ombudsman institution (Diwan Al Madalim), in charge of receiving and studying cases of injustice incurred by citizens, reforms in the human rights consultative council's attributions, composition and working methods and the amendment of the public liberties code, the press code and labor code were also praised by the UN committee.

The French team Bernard Consten-Jean Claude Miloe, driving a Jaguar XK 140, won Saturday Morocco's tenth classic cars rally after the Marrakesh Grand Prix circuit race, the final leg of the race. Consten and Miloe, who missed the victory for a few points last year, were followed by co-citizens J.P Driot-G. Driot (Alpine Renaut A110) and Michel Seydoux-Philippe Amzalak (Porsche 911 SCF).  The Switzerland-Slovenia Montenegro duo Z. Milojkovic-M. Liubisavlie won the Marrakesh Grand Prix circuit race, followed by Belgian team R. De Bargigli-J. Castelin and Morocco-France Kamil El Kholti-Ilda El Kholti. Winners of the 9th edition, Belgium's Carlos Ghistelinck-Bernard Soens, came in 13th.  Some 50 teams took part in the classic rally, a 2,000 km contest for cars built between 1955 and 1974. It is divided into 7 legs linking Casablanca, Fez, Afourer, Ouarzazate, Agadir, Tafraoute and Marrakesh.

Moroccan tomato producers-exporters called the government to negotiate a well-targeted agreement with the European Union in replacement of the interim agreement over tomato export. The Moroccan association of fruits and vegetables exporters (APEFEL) called in a release made public Monday the government to terminate, "as of today," the interim accord and replace it with a targeted agreement to cope with European products and maintain the level of investments. Professionals explain that the termination of the interim agreement would allow them to conduct their exports in April and May at high-quality norms and obtain selling prices that would entitle them to the duty-free regime, under the GATT. They also want a contingent of 216,000 tons to be exempted of duties from October through March. Morocco and the European Union are bound by an interim agreement on tomato export pending the signing of a wider range trade agreement.

E-commerce adoption in Morocco growing at a healthy rate.

Mar 24, 2003 (Al-Bawaba via COMTEX) -- Debit and credit cards in Morocco have grown by 30 percent 2002 to exceed 1.3 million. 2003 growth will be around 25 percent and will positively contribute to the e-commerce landscape in the market. Nonetheless, low Internet and Personal Computer (PC) penetration remain major impediments, according to a new Arab Advisors Group report. "The Internet market in Morocco is highly competitive. The number of licensed Internet Service Providers (ISPs) in the country is in continuous growth with the Internet cafes dominating the service providers' base. ISPs and Internet Cafes in Morocco need to acquire a similar Internet declaration from the ANRT to start operations." Arab Advisors Group's senior analyst Hala Baqain wrote in the report. "However, the public datacomm network (PDN) service is still a monopoly. Competition in the datacomm market was scheduled to materialize in 2002 as an incentive to the second fixed licensee however it failed with the failure of the tender. The Arab Advisors Group projects competition in the datacomm market to occur in 2003," Baqain added. Despite the competitive landscape, the Internet market in Morocco suffers from a very low subscriber base. The number of Internet subscribers reached 60,000 subscribers by yearend 2002 with a penetration rate of only 0.2 percent. The low monthly income and the low PC penetration rate are the major obstacles stifling the Internet growth in Morocco. In addition, the huge presence of the Internet cafes in the country means the actual Internet users in the country far exceeds the size of the registered Internet accounts. The Arab Advisors Group believes that Internet users in Morocco were 300,000 in 2002, a penetration rate of one percent. Broadband ADSL service is ADSL is set to be launched this year, which is much later than most Arab markets. Maroc Telecom is currently conducting trials and other ISPs are invited to share with the trials for the launch of the service. "While the Internet and datacomm situation is far from flattering in Morocco, The government is directing its efforts to the development of the Information, Communications and Technology sectors (ICT) in the country. Within its plan for the enhancement of the ICT sector the government is focusing on five key themes: Education, Governance, Private sector development, E-commerce and Access. These themes formed the basis for the Moroccan national strategy for IT development and was called e-Maroc plan," Baqain commented. - (menareport.com) By Mena Report Reporters (C) 2003 Albawaba.com, All rights reserved.

RABAT, March 24 (Reuters) - Morocco, a moderate Muslim kingdom which has seen widespread protests against the war in Iraq, is set to postpone talks with the United States on a proposed free trade agreement. "We are on the verge of announcing the postponement of the second round of the talks," a spokeswoman for the foreign ministry said. She declined to elaborate. The talks were initially set to resume in Rabat on Monday. Public opinion in Morocco is heavily against the U.S.-led attacks on Iraq, and on Sunday around 70,000 mainly Islamist protesters marched in the southern city of Marrakesh in the latest of a series of rallies in support of the Iraqi people. The business daily L'Economiste wrote on Monday that Rabat was caught in a strategic dilemma between the "pressures from public opinion and U.S. diplomacy". "Public opinion, including the elite, is deeply shocked by the U.S. attacks on Iraq...but Washington is strongly pressing for the round of free trade talks to be held," the newspaper wrote in a front-page article. "Rabat unofficially said that 'things were not ready' in a bid to keep the door open but without provoking public opinion," it added. The launch of the free trade talks was seen as a reward from the United States to the Arab monarchy, which has been a long-time ally known for adopting moderate stances in the Middle East conflict and for its cooperation with U.S. authorities in their war on terror after the September 11, 2001 attacks. When they opened in Washington in January, U.S. Trade Representative Robert Zoellick said the proposed agreement "sends a signal throughout a tempestuous region of America's support for tolerant, open and more prosperous Muslim societies". U.S. exports to Morocco average about $475 million annually, with aircraft, corn and machinery heading the list, despite an average tariff of 20 percent. Moroccan exports to the United States, facing an average tariff of four percent, have risen in recent years to about $435 million annually. (Reporting by Souhail Karam, Rabat newsroom, +212-37 720065 fax +212-37 722499, rabat.newsroom@reuters.com , editing by Gerrard Raven)

Morocco, US resume trade talks. L'Economiste reports free trade talks taking place in Switzerland far from public opinion disgusted at Iraq war.  

RABAT - Negotiators from Morocco and the United States resumed talks Tuesday in Switzerland on a free trade pact "far from public opinion disgusted" at the Iraq war, the Moroccan daily L'Economiste reported. At the first round of discussions, in Washington on January 21, US Trade Representative Robert Zoellick described the north African kingdom as a "key partner in political and economic terms in the Middle East". "On the sixth day of the war against Iraq, realpolitik continues," said L'Economiste, noting that the second round of negotiations was initially due to begin on Monday in Rabat, before the switch to Geneva. King Mohammed VI last week said he was "deeply disappointed" at "the choice to use force" against Baghdad, while from early March the country saw massive, peaceful demonstrations to protest at US threats to wage war on Iraq if Saddam Hussein did not disarm. L'Economiste said that the Moroccan government was preparing for the "post-crisis situation to safeguard its own interests". After Jordan, Morocco could become the second Arab nation to seal a free-trade agreement with the United States.

President of the Spanish autonomous government of Catalonia, Artur Mas, started this Monday a two-day official visit to Morocco where he will hold talks with Moroccan officials and dedicate a commercial representation of Catalonia in Casablanca.  Mas, who will be accompanied by local minister of labor, industry, trade and tourism, will also examine with Moroccan officials, including prime minister Driss Jettou, consolidation of cooperation between Morocco and Catalonia. The "Casa de Catalunya" to be based in Morocco's economic capital Casablanca will serve as a technical and education assistance service regulating the flow of migrants and contribute to enhancing economic ties and investments in Morocco as well as cooperation in humanitarian matters. The Casablanca office will be the region's second representation abroad after that of Poland. The Spanish delegation's visit also coincides with the opening of the Euro-Med school in Morocco that will train young heads of enterprises. Meanwhile, the Spanish Ramon Llull Institute will sign with the Casablanca Hassan II university an agreement for the creation of a chair of Catalan language and literature in Morocco in order to promote cultural exchanges with Morocco.

Moroccan employers union, Tunisian peer plead for Maghreban business integration.

Moroccan economic operators and Tunisian peers stressed that the only way for the Maghreb region (north Africa) to meet challenges of sustainable development goes through combined efforts by entrepreneurs, in an international juncture marked by industrial delocalization towards emerging countries. "Morocco can't wield power on the international economic arena, nor can Tunisia face, on its own, the challenges of deadly competition, launched by economic groupings based on quality/price and the reduction of products delivery time," said on Monday the Chairman of Morocco's employers union (CGEM), Hassan Chami, at the opening ceremony of the Moroccan-Tunisian economic encounter. "Our future is in our hands," stressed Chami, noting that "the time where national markets were protected is gone." The President of the Tunisian employers union (UTICA), Hedi Djilani said that the integration of similar sectors in the two states "must be seen as a necessity if we want to continue to exist in a world that's undergoing a radical change." The plenary of this encounter organized under the slogan: "Invest Together," was preceded by a meeting of the Moroccan-Tunisian Business Council wherein representatives of CGEM and Tunisian peers examined the progress of their economic relations.

WASHINGTON, March 25 (Reuters) - A Bush administration spokesman on Tuesday denied that a second round of trade talks between the United States and Morocco have been postponed, but said they had been moved to Geneva from Rabat. "The talks are taking place today, tomorrow, Thursday and Friday," said Richard Mills, a spokesman for the U.S. Trade Representative's office. Public opinion in Morocco is heavily against the U.S.-led attacks on Iraq, and on Sunday about 70,000 mainly Islamist protesters marched in the southern city of Marrakech in the latest in a series of rallies in support of the Iraqi people. On Monday a spokeswoman for Morocco's foreign ministry, told reporters the ministry was "on the verge of announcing the postponement of the second round of talks," which were initially set to resume in Rabat on Monday. Mills said the two countries decided "early last week" to move the talks to Geneva in light of "the current international environment" and transportation and logistics concerns. That timetable suggested the decision to move the talks was made before the United States fired its first missile attack on Baghdad in the middle of last week.  A Moroccan Embassy aide on Tuesday said the country's ambassador to the United States and other embassy officials had flown to Geneva for the trade talks. Geneva is the headquarters for the World Trade Organization and the venue for many negotiations. The Bush administration hopes to conclude a free trade pact with Morocco by the end of the year. It would the second free trade agreement between the United States and an Arab country. The first was with Jordan. ((Reporting by Doug Palmer, Editing by Mike Clancy; doug.palmer@reuters.com ; Reuters Messaging: doug.palmer.reuters.com@reuters.net ; +202 898 8341))

Volume of Morocco's coastal, conventional fishery production drops, yields up.

Morocco's national production in coastal and conventional fishery netted 892,865 tons in 2002, against 978,519 in 2001, posting an 8% drop, while yields inversely increased by 36% in 2002, with US$ 340 million, and about US$ 254 Mln the previous year, says Morocco's national fisheries office (ONP). Unloading in the Atlantic coast accounted for 96% of national production, with 864,532 tons and 93% of the whole catches, which is worth about US$ 323 million, adds the same source. Mediterranean fish markets contributed up to 3% in terms of volume (28,333 tonnes) and to 6% in yields, with US$ 23 million, ONP goes on. The volume of pelagic fish captures decreased by 12%, that's 754,427 tons in 2 002, against 861,444 tons a year earlier, but posted a rise in terms of yields, with US $ 119 million, against US$ 113 million the previous year. The production of white fish turned up by 20% in terms of volume and by 14% in value, that's 88,879 tons, against 73,970 tons in 2001.

Moroccan minister outlines bold religious communication approach.

Moroccan minister of Habous and Islamic affairs, Ahmed Toufiq, outlined a bold communication approach on religious issues and said radio and TV programs will deal even with "embarrassing issues." The official told the Moroccan TV channel such an approach is necessary for the development process of Morocco that opted for freedom and democracy.  These programs will respect the same orientation that was followed so far but they will provide answers to religious questions of citizens under the form of debates that may deal with sensitive issues. He announced that starting on Tuesday there will be daily TV programs on the exegesis of the holy Koran and the prophet's hadiths (sayings). Starting next May, Moroccans can ask questions on religion by way of toll-free phone numbers in eight call centers set up in the headquarters of ulemas (religious scholars). He explained that this new approach, that is in total harmony with Moroccans' sacred values, is meant "to remedy the separation between religion and other issues of life."

RABAT, Mar.28 - The Moroccan Health ministry announced a set of measures to prevent the spread of the Severe Acute Respiratory Disease (SARS) in Morocco. A source at the ministry said that in keeping with the World Health Organization (CHO) recommendations, Morocco has reinforced its epidemiological surveillance and heath control at the borders, especially in areas that have a traffic with affected countries. The prevention measures also include awareness campaigns for staff working at the security, the Moroccan air carrier "RAM", the airport authority "ONDA" and health professionals.

The kick boxing world champion (WAFF), Morocco's Kamel Chouaref, kept his title after he defeated on Saturday evening Belgian Basha Valon, at the second night of the Free Fight contest at the Palais des Congres in Marrakech.  Chouaref, who will retreat after this combat, won in 12 rounds that lasted three minutes each. The event was organized by World Agency of Free Fight (WAFF) and TOP Voyages and ECTA agencies under the aegis of the Moroccan royal federation of Full, Light, Semi contact and kick Thai boxing. The contest, that was broadcast by several European TV channels, took place in the presence of WAFF president, Rodolphe Pedro, and president of the Moroccan royal federation, Abdelkrim Hilali.

Return to Friends of Morocco Home Page