Virtual Magazine of Morocco on the Web
Morocco Week in Review 
May 14 2005

Washington 'optimistic' FTA would boost bilateral trade.
Youth : El Gahs takes youngsters abroad.
Health Officials satisfied at nutrition achievements.
Agricultural harvest in Morocco drops by 40 percent.
Biodiversity Argan foundation to be created.
Some 100,000 small farmers to benefit from debt cancellation this current season.
Marriage rate up, divorce down, Minister.
Morocco to reach over 10,000 km of rural roads in 2005.
Unemployment rate drops to 8.10 percent in Morocco.
Some 30% of textile jobs at risk in Morocco, official.
City, Morocco praise medical cooperation
Morocco Earmarked MAD 5.5 billion for 2004-2010 to eradicate shanty-towns, minister.
US General Electric to launch projects in Morocco.
Damascus Rose fragrance scents Kelâat M'Gouna streets.
Minister dismisses reports on evangelism attempts in Morocco. 
Children: Tougher law needed against pedophiles.
Unemployment: Tangier designs "road-map".
Moroccan dunes to stage Desert Music Festival.
Over 100 call centers in Morocco.
Major international textile companies to invest US$ 300 million in Morocco.
Harley Davidson Rally roars through Morocco
2nd edition of "Rhythms of Peace" Festival in Morocco.
"The hills have eyes" in Ouarzazate and Marrakech.
Essaouira samples classical music's tunes.

Washington 'optimistic' FTA would boost bilateral trade.
Washington, May 09

Washington is "optimistic" that the Free Trade Agreement
(FTA) signed between Morocco and the United States of America will contribute positively to developing bilateral trade, said, here Friday, assistant US Trade Representative for Europe and the Mediterranean, Catherine Novelli.
Speaking at a briefing on the Free Trade Zone between the USA and the Middle East in 2013 (MEFTA), she said the Moroccan-American FTA reflects the two countries will to consolidate their bilateral relations.
The American official recalled the FTA was adopted by a large majority in the two American Congress chambers (323 voted yeas and voted 99 nays in the House of Representatives, while 85 voted yeas and 13 voted nays in the Senate), stressing that it is an unprecedented vote to an FTA under the Trade Promotional Authority.
She noted that bilateral trade has increased and several American companies have invested in the kingdom since negotiations on FTA started, whose results depend on the private sector which is called to play a tremendous role.
Novelli said that Bush's initiative to create a MEFTA in 2013 is an "optimistic" objective which is gaining momentum and the American administration will spare no efforts to make it a reality.
http://www.map.ma/eng/sections/economy/washington__optimist/view 
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Youth : El Gahs takes youngsters abroad.
By Houda Filali-Ansary

About 1,600 youngsters are to spend holidays abroad as part of Mohamed el Gahs "Jeunes-Découvrez le Monde 2005!" programme, announced a communiqué from the Secretariat of State in Charge of Youth. The lucky beneficiaries will be selected among young Moroccans who have never participated in trips organised by the Secretariat of State: youth organisation members, youth and female centre residents, young talents and young people from rural areas. Their age, level of education, knowledge of languages and gender will also be taken into account, announced the secretariat.

Destinations include Europe (18 trips to Spain, Greece, France, Italy, Great Britain, Norway and Romania), Africa (16 trips, Tunisia, Egypt, and Senegal), the Middle East (2 trips, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain), Asia (1 trip to South Korea) and Morocco (11 trips), with fees varying between MAD 1,200 and 9,500 depending on destinations. According to the release, the "Jeunes-Découvrez le Monde!" (Youth-Discover the World!) programme is mainly aimed at promoting tolerance, open-mindedness, dialogue and the knowledge of other cultures among young participants.

A total of 600 foreign youths from around the world are also scheduled to visit Morocco as part of the programme. They will participate in educational, sporting, cultural and artistic activities in Morocco and will be provided with an opportunity to discover Morocco's culture and history. The programme also includes trips inside Morocco, one of which will present participants with intensive language classes in Taghazout (Agadir): a total of 400 male and female teenagers are expected to benefit from intensive English classes as well as cultural, artistic and sports activities from Aug. 3-18 this year.

Last year, 1,000 people benefited from the "Jeunes-Découvrez le Monde!" programme in 2004, 43% of whom were female and 57% male. The 37 trips organised last year had made it possible for 500 young foreigners to visit Morocco. About 100,000 children are also scheduled to benefit from free stays in holiday camp this summer as part of the holidays for all programme. This is not the first time El Gahs manages to surprise everyone with wide scale programmes despite the relatively small budget of his secretariat. However, this year's novelty will be linked to the age of the beneficiaries of the "Jeunes-Découvrez le Monde!" programme who are getting younger: as the maximum age limit goes down from 38 to 35 years...
http://www.moroccotimes.com/paper/article.asp?idr=11&id=6449 
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Health Officials satisfied at nutrition achievements.

The Moroccan Minister of Health, Mohamed Cheikh Biadillah, met Wednesday in Rabat with Maie Ayoub Von Kohl, UNICEF's representative in Morocco. Both officials focused on how to fight health problems generated by food deficiencies and the enrichment strategy applied on flour (iron) and oil (vitamins A and D). They also expressed their satisfaction at the progress achieved by Morocco in the production of enriched oil in four factories and of enriched flour in ten mills, announced a communiqué from the Ministry of Health.

The two officials also took advantage of the meeting to express their worries concerning the increase in poliomyelitis cases in some Arab and African countries. They insisted on the need to improve the monitoring of the disease Morocco. Von Kohl expressed her readiness to help reinforce Morocco's monitoring system with the support of the WHO. Both officials also discussed how to strengthen their collaboration further, and extend it to other priority areas, reported MAP.
http://www.moroccotimes.com/news/article.asp?idr=11&id=6441 
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Agricultural harvest in Morocco drops by 40 percent.
Economics, 5/13/2005

The agricultural harvest of 2004-2005 in Morocco has dropped by 40pc compared to an average harvest. Moroccan Agriculture, rural development and fisheries Minister, Mohand Laenser, unveiled Thursday in an exposZ before the Government Council a special program to face the drop of agricultural production, said Communication Minister, Nabil Benabdallah, at a press briefing.

Laensar informed the Council on the main lines of the action plan of the farming bank, CrZdit agricole du Maroc (CAM) that projects notably debt cancellation for about 100,000 small farmers. The debts amount to MAD 3 billion (around 290 million euros). In addition, it will allocate MAD 3 billion to fund olive culture and MAD 1 billion for other crops.

The program also aims to promote investment in irrigation infrastructures and services in the rural world and to incept a new five-year revolving credit system for cereal culture. King Mohammed VI presided Thursday a working session to examine concrete actions and proposals to face the problems of the 2004-2005 agricultural season.
http://www.arabicnews.com/ansub/Daily/Day/050513/2005051327.html 
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Biodiversity Argan foundation to be created.

The Mohammed VI Foundation for research on and the preservation of the Argan tree will hold its first general assembly on May 14 in Essaouira, announced a communiqué from the Foundation. The meeting will be an opportunity to introduce the activities of the Foundation since its creation, present the foundation's rules, regulations and charter as well as its potential fields of intervention. The general assembly will be followed by a forum open to both scientists and professionals who will exchange information about their latest work and realizations. Argan trees grow only in Morocco. The oil extracted from their almonds is very appreciated for its cosmetic, pharmaceutical and nourishing virtues.
http://www.moroccotimes.com/news/article.asp?id=6374 
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Some 100,000 small farmers to benefit from debt cancellation this current season.
Rabat, May 12

The outstanding debt of some 100,000 small farmers amounting to MAD 3 billion, around 290 million euros, is to be cancelled as one of the measures to mitigate the effects of the current poor agricultural season in Morocco. The decision was announced at a meeting presided here Thursday by HM King Mohammed VI to discuss proposals to remedy the difficulties of the 2004-2005 agricultural season.

Tarik Sijelmassi, chairman of the executive board of the "Crédit Agricole du maroc" (CAM), said small farmers are eligible for debt cancellation, while other farmers hit by the bad season will benefit from cancellation of overdue interest payback and various fines.
CAM chairman expounded the action plan of this farmers lending body to alleviate the season's effects, including fostering soil conversion through a MAD 4 billion program to plant fruit trees, medical plants, spices...

The action plan also aims to promote investment in irrigation infrastructure and services in the rural world and to incept a new cereal growing five-year revolving credit system. A structure called "Dar El Fellah", to accompany farmers in building viable agricultural enterprises, was also a proposal presented at the meeting to help some 350,000 farmers during the five coming years. The sovereign gave instruction at the end of the meeting to present the action program to a cabinet meeting this Thursday with a view to ensure a follow up of the implementation of approved proposals.
http://www.map.ma/eng/sections/box2/some_100000_small_f/view 
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Marriage rate up, divorce down, Minister.
Rabat, May 12

The number of marriage contracts stood at 243.492, in the period from February 2004 and January 2005, achieving an increase of 2.76%, while cases of divorce plummeted 40%, revealed, here Wednesday, Justice Minister, Mohamed Bouzoubaâ. Addressing the House of Representatives' question time, the minister said the implementation of the new Family Code has had a positive impact on marriage rates in Morocco. In January 2004, the kingdom introduced important amendments on the family code that enhance women rights and children rights, and reinforce family ties. Bouzoubaâ also revealed that divorce at the wife's request declined by 42.3%, which evidences that married women are "no longer obliged to divorce in exchange of a compensation".
http://www.map.ma/eng/sections/box5/marriage_rate_up_di/view 
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Morocco to reach over 10,000 km of rural roads in 2005.
Rabat, May 11

Morocco will extended rural roads network to reach 11,236 km in 2005 part of the first National Program of Rural Roads (PNRR I), said, here Wednesday, minister of Equipment and Transports, Karim Ghellab. Morocco extended rural roads network to reach 9,276 km in 2004. Created in 1995, PNRR I aims at opening up to rural populations by extending the rural roads network to cover 54% of rural areas. The minister noted the road building rate did not meet the government plans, so it launched the second National Program of Rural Roads (PNRR II) in February 2002.
PNRR II will extend rural roads network to reach 15,500 km in the period 2005-2015 and opening up to 80% of rural populations. Ghellab said the government dedicated MAD 10 billion to achieve this program, with a 1,500km project per year.
http://www.map.ma/eng/sections/economy/morocco_to_reach_ove/view 
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Unemployment rate drops to 8.10 percent in Morocco.
Economics, 5/11/2005

Unemployment rate in Morocco has fallen in 2004 to 8.10pc against 11.4pc in 2003, announced on Saturday Minister of Labor and Vocational training, Mustapha Mansouri, on the occasion of the Labor Day. In a televised speech, he said the government policy currently focuses on encouraging investments, improving working conditions of enterprises and supporting youth labor.

To promote youth labor, Mansouri explained, the government has set up a program of complementary training that allowed 20,000 graduates in 2004 to join the labor market. He added that in the same year 730 enterprises were created, generating 2670 jobs. The minister deemed that the implementation of the Labor Code in June 2004 had a positive impact especially on social dialogue, as the number of strikes dropped from 440 in 2000 to 2004.

According to Mansouri, the living conditions of workers have also improved thanks to the services provided by the national social security fund (CNSS) to over 1.6 million workers, for a total of MAD 6.6 billion (around USD 776
million) in 2004. He added that a strategic plan was adopted for 2004-2006 to cover 2 million workers by the end of 2005 through the modernising of CNSS and its management methods.
http://www.arabicnews.com/ansub/Daily/Day/050511/2005051137.html 
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Some 30% of textile jobs at risk in Morocco, official.
Economics, 5/9/2005

Morocco's Minister of Industry and Economy Upgrading warned that 30% of textile jobs and 20% of exports are at risk in the five coming years, if no proactive action is taken by the state and industrialists. Salah Eddine Mezouar told international weekly "Jeune Afrique l'Intelligent"
a new strategy will help not only save the sector jobs but also create between 70,000 and 100,000 additional jobs in the five or eights years following the dismantling of the multi-fiber agreements. He also explained that Morocco has adopted globalization after a history of protectionism and a fabric of mostly small and medium-sized family-owned enterprises.

The minister stressed that the building of the Euro-Mediterranean space will help face competition from Asia, and particularly where textile and clothing wages are four times lower than those of Morocco. Morocco has embarked on a series of free trade agreements with the USA, Turkey, Arab Mediterranean countries (Morocco, Tunisia, Jordan and Egypt) and is negotiating an FTA with the MERCOSUR countries (Brazil Argentine, Bolivia, and Chile). The government is working to streamline the finances of enterprises, encourage risk-capital and support the development of SME's, he added, citing also a plan to stimulate the fight against informal firms.
http://www.arabicnews.com/ansub/Daily/Day/050509/2005050928.html 
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City, Morocco praise medical cooperation

Shanghai vice Mayor Yang Xiaodu and Morocco's Health Minister Mohamed Cheikh Biadillah, joined more than 50 medical experts from China and Morocco on April 9 in Morocco's capital, Rabat, to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the two countries' program of medical cooperation.
First, Biadillah expressed his appreciation for the Chinese medical staff's dedication to his country's medical service since 1975, when the Chinese government sent the first medical team to Morocco. "After that, the two parties have achieved and reinforced cooperation and exchanges in the medical sector for the past three decades," the minister said.

Shanghai vice Mayor Yang also delivered a speech at yesterday's ceremony. He said Shanghai, following the guidance of the central government, has been undertaking the aid program since 1975 and sending medical groups to Morocco. The city government has been closely watching the program and has carefully selected excellent medical workers to help the Moroccan people. In the past 30 years, 1,200 medical workers have been sent, with 117 still working in Morocco's 12 remote areas. Government data indicated 4.5 million Moroccans have benefited from the Chinese doctors and nurses, with more than 400,000 having received professional treatment, and some 250,000 having undergone surgical operations http://english.eastday.com/eastday/englishedition/metro/userobject1ai1084130.html 
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Morocco Earmarked MAD 5.5 billion for 2004-2010 to eradicate shanty-towns, minister.
Rabat, May 9

Morocco has earmarked MAD 5.5 billion, 500 million euros, for the 2004-2010 period to eradicate shanty-towns part of an overall program that is to cost MAD 17 billion, said housing and urbanism minister delegate Ahmed Toufiq Hjira. Speaking at a study day on the social impact of the "towns free of shanties" program, Hjira said resources have already been disbursed as a public participation to fund land equipment, subsidies to households and aid to micro-credit associations.

He said the program, initiated this past July 22, aims at providing global assistance to towns instead of projects to avoid shanty-town dwellers shift from slum to slum and to set a deadline for the completion of the projects. World Bank and UNDP representatives, Fared Belhaj and Dierckx de Casterlé, respectively, paid tribute to the Moroccan efforts in social development fields and in the fight of poverty and unhealthy housing and stressed the commitment of their institutions to support social development policies. The gathering was held to assess the achievements of the housing department part of the "towns free of shanties" program and discuss issues relating to housing and urban development.
http://www.map.ma/eng/sections/box1/morocco_earmarked_ma/view 
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US General Electric to launch projects in Morocco.
Rabat, May 10

President and CEO of US holding General Electric is projecting several investments in Morocco and will be bidding for the building of "Al Wahda", a major electric plant. According to Morocco's Minister of Economic and General Affairs, Rachid Talbi Alami, other investments eyed by GE, the company founded by light bulb inventor Thomas Edison, include a project of loans to consumption and for tradesmen and another project for the creation of an Italian and French-speaking call center.

GE president and CEO, Ferdinando Beccalli-Falco, reviewed the company plans in a meeting on Monday with Prime Minister, Driss Jettou.
Through the 1980s and 1990s, GE transformed itself from a simple maker of electrical appliances to a giant conglomerate with interests in sectors ranging from aircraft engines and power generation to financial services, medical imaging, TV programs and plastics http://www.map.ma/eng/sections/imp_economy/us_general_electric/view 
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Damascus Rose fragrance scents Kelâat M'Gouna streets.
Kelâat M'Gouna (South), May 8

Rosa Damaskina, Damascus Rose, this aromatic plant of the Dades river valley, with profusely sweet smell and multiple therapeutic, cosmetic and culinary virtues, has scented, during the three-day Rose Festival, the air of the small town of Kelâat M'Gouna. Streets and avenues, walls and paths, every part of the small town, gate to the arid Sahara, smelled Rosa Damaskina. The plant embellished, in its 43rd anniversary, the necks of youths and elderly, males and females, Moroccans and tourist, spread joy here and there, and strew a freshness that so confidently defies a looming summer.

From Friday to Sunday, Kelâat M'Gouna, vested in its most beautiful attire, seemed ready to enjoy the catchy flavour of over five thousand tons of the Damascus Rose harvested this year from an area of three thousand and two hundred linear kilometres. Rose farmers, too, had a good reason to be jubilant this year specifically: the price of a kilogram of fresh roses was multiplied by four to reach ten Moroccan Dirhams (US$ 1.10). Visitors and local populations had both spent a wonderful time. The Ahwach groups, performing the typical dance of the berber-speaking region, were there to herald the entrance of Miss Rose. She was dressed in traditional clothes, making shy gestures to greet the audience that massed around the parade. To the photographs and cameramen, she was trying to draw a smile on her face that visibly failed to conceal a slight malaise.

To perpetrate and boost this festival and the production of roses in the region, and to grant further help to farmers, the Ouarzazate Regional Office of Agricultural Promotion (ORMVA) has set up a strategy aiming to develop the perfume rose of the Dades valley. The strategy includes, particularly, promoting the value of production and improving marketing conditions. It also provides for creating of a ten-hectare vast field to cultivate biological rose, and encouraging young entrepreneurs to create small units for the distillation rose water, and, finally, the creation of a "Perfume Rose Village".
http://www.map.ma/eng/sections/imp_culture/damascus_rose_fragra/view 
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Minister dismisses reports on evangelism attempts in Morocco. 
Religion, 5/11/2005

Reports on evangelism attempts aiming to persuade Moroccans to become Christians have been dismissed by Moroccan Minister of Habous (endowments) and Islamic affairs, Ahmed Taoufiq. "No foreigners declared to authorities that they have come to Morocco to practice evangelism," he said Tuesday at the House of Advisors question-time, adding that the activities of foreigners established in Morocco are well-known.

This statement came after recent press reports alleging the occurrence of evangelism activities in Morocco. Lately, Islamic groups have denounced a Rock and Roll festival organized in Marrakech by the American NGO, the Friendship Caravan, saying it is a proselytising campaign. MPs of Morocco's sole Islamic party, the party of Justice and Development (PJD), questioned the real motives behind the festival, saying it is a pretext by the American Evangelical Church to get a foothold in Morocco.

Taoufiq argued that missionaries can now operate without direct contact with the population, notably through TV stations, websites. He added that impoverished populations in the country would not give up their religion because of their need. Taoufiq deemed that the limited charity actions made by Christian clerics do not undermine the Islamic religion because they are part of the practices of the church. "Christian clerics recognized by the State work in churches of different confessions to help members of the Christian community in Morocco," he said. These priests and bishops are part of those who have moral values and principles and who have a large esteem to the tolerance and openness of Moroccans, noted the minister, saying the visit of late Pope Jean Paul II to Morocco in 1985 is a prove to this reality.
http://www.arabicnews.com/ansub/Daily/Day/050511/2005051133.html 
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Children: Tougher law needed against pedophiles.

More coercive laws are needed to end sexual abuse of children, declared Najat Anouar, the president of the "Touche pas à mon enfant" association, Monday in Agadir. In a press conference marking the end of an awareness raising campaign held from May 2 to 5, Anouar called for paedophiles to be given a harder punishment in order to end sexual abuse of children and adapt the punishment to the gravity of their crime.

The campaign, mainly held in the cities of Tiznit, Taroudant, Inezgan and Agadir targeted parents, school-children and charity houses residents. Its main purpose was to end taboos concerning this phenomenon. "Not denunciating such abuse is like being an accomplice," stressed Anouar. "Touche pas à mon enfant" (Leave my child alone) held this campaign only a few months after the whole region was shocked by the discovery in Taroudant of the remains of several young boys. Three people had kept silent over the Taroudant serial killer's activities, even if they knew about them.

Anouar added that the next campaign will be launched in the Tangier-Tetuan region, adding that the association is presently considering strengthening its cooperation with various civil society members and specialists so that more children are protected against sexual abuse. For her part, Najia Adib, the vice-president of the association and the mother of a victim, she stressed the deep bitterness in which her family has been living since her child was attacked, despite the attacker being in jail. She insisted on the need to be brave in order to deal with the problem and called on all parents of victims not to remain silent.
http://www.moroccotimes.com/paper/article.asp?idr=11&id=6395 
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Unemployment: Tangier designs "road-map".

Several economic and educational actors met last week in Tangier to design an employment strategy for the region.
Delegates from various training and orientation organisms such as the Office for Professional training and the Promotion of Employment (OFPPT), the National Agency for the Promotion of Employment and Skills (ANAPEC), the Regional Investment Centre of the Tangier-Tetuan region and the associations representing the region's industrial zones and the Tangier free zone (TFZ) were presented with a "road map" at a coordination meeting last week. The document defined the actions each party should take in order to reach "practical short and medium term solutions," said Mohamed Halab, the Wali of the Tangier-Tetuan region.

This new plan insists on the need to assess the employment situation in the region, then establish a regional employment observatory, stronger partnerships between participants in the road map in order to coordinate and guarantee that their actions and mechanisms are coherent and help promote employment in the region. The road map also presents the elaboration of an employment action plan targeting specific niches and activity sectors as its main objective. In order to do so, the document explained that a strong collaboration is needed between education and training establishments, within a "local training scheme". It also calls for the establishment of an information and career advising policy aimed at job seekers. In order to make sure that the results are positive and to be able to adapt the policy progressively, a periodic evaluation of the performances and the impact of the mechanism will be made.
http://www.moroccotimes.com/paper/article.asp?idr=11&id=6359 
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Moroccan dunes to stage Desert Music Festival.
Errachidia, May 12

Rissani-Erfoud region (South) will be the set of the second Desert Music Festival slated for May 26-29. Moroccan desert, formerly merchants caravans venue, will regain a page of history as musicians from Niger, Mali, Algeria, Senegal, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Morocco will hit the track to discover the Sahara magic. The Sahara eternal silence will turn into a symphony as Morocco's musical bands such as Lhamri, Dabdo and El Meskaoui interact with Alla band from Algeria, Mahamane Barka and Etran Finatawa from Niger, Adaman Yaloma from Mali, African ballets form Senegal, RUM from Jordan and Mint Ely Warakane from Mauritania. Desert dunes will vibrate on Moroccan dances of El Khamlia, Guedra and Dabdo that portrait the desert life in sheer symbiosis with the elements. The Saudi Arabia's Arda de Najd and Niger's Bororo dances give homage to desert, cradle of humanity.
http://www.map.ma/eng/sections/box1/moroccan_dunes_to_st/view 
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Over 100 call centers in Morocco.
Economics, 5/13/2005

Morocco accounts for over 100 call centers that earn a turnover of some MAD 800m (Euro 73m), and secure about ten thousand job opportunities, said, here Thursday, Advisor to the King, Andre Azoulay. Azoulay, who was speaking at the opening session of the 2nd international fair of call centers, said 85% of this turnover is generated through activities with France and Spain, adding that Morocco will soon host 50% of French off shoring in this field. The monarch's advisor ascribed Morocco's achievement in the call centers sector to the various incentives offered by the State, pointing out that the quality of human resources, and their cost-related competitiveness, and a flexible and stable social environment have also contributed to the success of this industry. Azoulay called for a "decentralization" of call centers, deploring the fact that 80% of these centers are concentrated in Casablanca-Rabat region.
http://www.arabicnews.com/ansub/Daily/Day/050513/2005051330.html 
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Major international textile companies to invest US$ 300 million in Morocco.
Skhirate (south of Rabat), May 12

Three major international textile companies will invest US$ 300 million in the kingdom creating 2,500 direct jobs. The American Fruit of the Loom (FOL) will invest US$ 162 million (nearly MAD 1,416 million) in two textile units in Skhitrate and Bouknadel to produce woven fabric destined to make tee-shirts, sweat-shirts and joggings. The investment will create 1,150 direct jobs. Created in 1994, FOL Maroc employs 1,700 persons in its 5ha unit.

Director General of FOL-Maroc, Brian Kennedy said the company relocated a part of the China-based company to the kingdom thanks to its exceptional potentials notably the geographical closeness to both Europe and the USA and the free trade agreement signed between the kingdom and the USA. Spanish group Tavex will invest MAD 634 million in developing the capacities of its Settat-based subsidiary Settavex. It is a three-year project with MAD 191 million to be invested in 2005, MAD 205.4 million in 2006 and MAD 236.8 million in 2007. Settavex recruited 437 persons in 2005 and plans extending its staff to reach 530 employees in 2008.

Italian group Legler will invest MAD 750 million in building a commercial complex in Skhirate in partnership with Moroccan Senoussi Group. The complex, under construction, will include a weaving unit of 24 million meters and a spinning unit of a capacity of 9,000 tons per year. Settavex and Legler will produce denim woven fabric to make of Morocco one of the main international producers of Jeans in the world. These investments are expected to reassure professionals of the textile industry notably after the decline in Morocco's exports of textile by 33pc last January after the complete dismantlement of the Multifibre Arrangement and the upsurge of Chinese textile-clothing products in Morocco. The textile sector plays a major role in the Moroccan economy as it represents nearly 33pc of exports and employs 200,000 people.
http://www.map.ma/eng/sections/box4/major_international/view 
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Harley Davidson Rally roars through Morocco.
Local, 5/7/2005

Participants in the 12th edition of Harley Davidson Rally arrived, in Tangier Thursday at the last leg of their African tour through Morocco, Mauritania and Senegal. After a long and naturally rich stage between Tiznit (southern Morocco) and Tangier (north), the fifty "Chrome Horses" enthusiasts reached the last point of their African tour that kicked off March 23 in France. The Great Cylinder enthusiasts cruised 7000km through five Moroccan stations: Tangier, Sebta, Tiznit, Laayoune and Dakhla before embarking in the Mauritanian desert till the Senegalese city of Saint Louis. Harley Davidson fans said the rally went on good conditions, notably the Moroccan stage thanks to the kingdom natural and cultural diversity and the hospitality of its peoples. They urged organisers to change the rally itinerary to "better explore this welcoming country." Organised by Spanish association, "Harley Owners Group," the rally is open to all 1340 cm3 Harley Davidson owners. This passion attracts many bikers all over the world.
http://www.arabicnews.com/ansub/Daily/Day/050507/2005050724.html 
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2nd edition of "Rhythms of Peace" Festival in Morocco.

Following the success of the first edition of "Rhythms of Peace" festival in Morocco, the preparations and the promotion of the second edition of this international, electronic music festival begin this month. The 6-day festival is scheduled to take place from August 25 until August 30 on the beaches of Tafadna near Essaouira (Morocco). The festival's visitors, the organizers expect about 5,000 people, will be lodged in three "villages" on the beach of Tafadna, which will offer them concerts, art and craft industry exhibitions, meetings with associations as well as all necessary services (from showers and transportation to medical services). EMarrakech reports that the festival will host more than 70 international artists and 12 Moroccan acoustic groups. Participation in the festival will cost about 60 to 100 EURO.
http://www.albawaba.com/en/countries/Morocco/183412 
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"The hills have eyes" in Ouarzazate and Marrakech.

The Moroccan cities Ouarzazate and Marrakech were chosen to serve as the filming locations for the making of the American horror film, "The hills have eyes". The film's crew, which relies on a 15 million dollar budget, will be filming in Morocco from June 27 to August 15. EMarrakech reports that the film, directed by young French director, Alexandre Aja (son of French director Alexandre Arcady), is actually a remake of the original classic horror movie, made in 1977 by the American director, Wes Craven. The movie tells the story of a family going to California and accidentally goes through an Air Testing range closed to the public. They crash and are stranded in a desert. They are being stalked by a group of people, which have not emerged into modern times.
http://www.albawaba.com/en/countries/Morocco/183517 
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Essaouira samples classical music's tunes.
Essaouira, May 06

The public and visitors of the Atlantic city of Essaouira sample classical music's tunes as a hundred musicians from various countries are giving concerts at the 5th Alizés Spring Festival of Essaouira held May 5-8. The wind city lives on the vibrations of symphonies mastered by the most renowned world composers from Spain, Egypt, France, Germany, the USA, Poland, Uzbekistan, Japan, Scotland and Morocco. Pianos embrace harps, violins and cellos to wow the classical music connoisseurs.

Dar Souiri, an architectural diamond in the heart of Esssaouira, will be the meeting point of cultures and civilisations. At the opening ceremony, the festival starred Moroccan composer, Ahmed Essyad who played a preview of the performance he will feature at Strasbourg festival, France. The ceremony featured also cellist Christophe Beau, soprano Françoise Kubler, clarinettist Armand Angster and quartet Miroirs. The night party resumed at the Chapel where the mystic voice of Ariana Vafadari rendered some Persian songs that melt with the vibrations of Sine Nomine quartet.
Former Mogador's theatres and open-airs welcome its visitors and fans to celebrate life through music as sacred songs, Farsi prayers and Arabic poetry will interact in a hymn to love.

The festival menu includes the "Three cultures chorus", Nayer Nagui from Cairo Opera, Jean Baptiste Vuillaume and Jean François Heisser Orchestra that will perform Mozart 27th concerto at an open-air concert and Morocco's composer Ahmed Essyad. Essaouira, a music city par excellence, is the city of tolerance where Muslims, Christians and Jews have been living together in sheer symbiosis.
http://www.map.ma/eng/sections/culture/essaouira_samples_cl/view 
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