Virtual Magazine of Morocco on the Web
Morocco Week in Review 
October 27, 2007

Japan grants Morocco over USD 600K to supply rural areas with drinking water.
Rabat, Oct. 24

The Japanese government on Wednesday granted a financial assistance amounting to some USD 612,626 to supply several local collectivities and associations with drinking water in the region of Souss-Massa-Draa (South of Rabat). The donation, meant to mitigate the effects of water shortage, is part of the Japanese non-reimbursable assistance program granted to local micro-projects contributing to human security.

Japan's ambassador to Morocco, Mrs. Haruko Hirose, recalled the importance of water in development, underlining that hydraulic resources in Souss-Massa region were decreased following the last wave of drought that hit the region. She said this program, which will benefit about 448,000 people in 74 rural communes, is meant to support Morocco's efforts aiming to generalize access to this vital source.
http://www.map.ma/eng/sections/social/japan_grants_morocco7798/view
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Parkinson patient undergoes surgery for the first time in Morocco.
Rabat, Oct.22

A team of doctors at Ibn Rochd hospital in Casablanca performed, for the first time in Morocco, a successful surgery on a woman suffering from the Parkinson disease. After the surgery, the patient was able to regain control of her movements and walk without difficulty. According to the head of the Neurology Departement at Ibn Rochd hospital, Abdessamad El Azhari, this kind of operation, which costs over USD 30,000, requires modern equipments and a special anesthesia. In a statement to Moroccan TV 2M, Al Azhari underlined that Morocco has the necessary skills to performe this operation, notably at university hospitals of Rabat, Fès and Marrakesh. He noted that there are no official figures of Parkinson patients in Morocco.

Parkinson's disease is a degenerative disorder of the cental nervous system that often impairs the sufferer's motor skills and speech. It belongs to a group of conditions called movement disorders. It is characterized by muscle rigidity, tremor, a slowing of physical movement (bradykinesia) and, in extreme cases, a loss of physical movement (akinesia).
http://www.map.ma/eng/sections/social/parkinson_patient_un/view
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Islamic banking products spark interest in Morocco .
By Sarah Touahri  21/10/2007

Morocco has introduced several Islamic banking products to provide alternatives to Muslims wary of traditional banking services. Although many Moroccans welcome the alternative products, banks plan to keep them expensive to reduce competition with their traditional financial products. The launch of alternative banking products designed to be halal within Islam has sparked interest in Morocco. Many of Morocco's Muslims who refuse to use standard banking products have welcomed their arrival on the market, although no publicity campaign has been launched and details of the products have yet to be announced.

In response to high demand from the public, Morocco's central bank followed in the footsteps of Islamic banks around the world on October 1st, with its approval of Islamic products which offer a way around interest-bearing loans and other financial products forbidden in Islam. These so called "alternative products" include Ijarah, Musharakah and Murabahah.

Ijarah is a halal type of leasing contract between a lending institution and a customer. It can take the form of a simple lease agreement or be accompanied by a contract for the lessee to acquire the asset at the end of a fixed period.

Musharakah is a contract that enables lending institutions to help businesses finance themselves through the sale of stakes in a future or existing company. Both parties are liable for the value of their investment and each gains or loses a previously-agreed share of the profits or loses.

Murabahah enables people to acquire assets without taking out an interest-bearing loan. The bank purchases the asset and then resells it to the customer in instalments at an openly stated price, factoring in administrative costs and profit.

The new products have aroused little excitement in banks, who view them as competition to their traditional counterparts. "It's to be expected that the cost of alternative loans will be higher than that of ordinary ones," Economist Mohamed Berdai told Magharebia. "The banking lobby wants to be sure these products will not be competitive so that customers do not abandon ordinary loans. One of the ways this has been achieved is by setting short payment terms which put them beyond the reach of a lot of people."

Many Moroccans, however, are eager to learn more about the new products. Those who used to balk at the idea of taking out a bank loan for religious reasons regard the new products as a good solution. "I still don't really know much about the products that will be on offer, but at least they’re halal and will mean I can finally buy a home," said potential customer Abderrafia Tamachi. Teacher Rabiaa Maliki is equally pleased. "My husband always refused to get a loan to buy a house. We can’t wait for the new schemes to come out." Pointing to other Muslim countries, where Islamic banking products have garnered a large market share, the central bank predicts the new "alternative products" will be highly successful. Bank experts expect the true level of demand will emerge towards the end of the year. http://www.magharebia.com/cocoon/awi/xhtml1/en_GB/features/awi/features/2007/10/21/feature-02
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Jazz Festivals in Morocco   2007-10-20
TANJAZZ 2008
The 9th Tanger Jazz Festival
28th May - 1st June 2008 - Tangier - Morocco
Some of the artist who took part in the Tanjazz Festival 2007: Manu Dibango & Maraboutik Big Band - Robin McKelle - Makoto Kuriya - Sir Charles Quintet - Willie “Big Eyes” Smith - Big Band Brass (hommage Frank Sinatra) - Sam Gerstmans Trio - Tawfik Ouldammar & souissi Trio - Nicola Sabato Trio - Florence Fourcade Quartet - Heavy Fingers - Cadijo - Trio Louis Martinez - L'Affaire Swing - Sidi Groove - The KMG's - Liz Newton Jazzbird - Black Label Swingtet - Al Copley Quartet - Samba Garage - Peaux Rouges Bateria - Son Iya - Jackson & friends - Darga - Gnawa Storm - Stephan Lievestro Sextet - Studio 2M

TANGER
At the crossroads between Europe and Africa, where the Atlantic meets the Mediterranean, Tangier is the doorway to Morocco.

Look, listen and absorb: the diversity of the bustling crowds, the heavy fragrances in the markets the murmurs of sea and city blending together - a feast of sensations that stuns the senses.

There is still an air of mystery about this city, dating back to the time when Tangier was an international zone. “The white city”, the star of many films, the city of many stars - a city to fall I love with. Many are those who come here just to visit but end up settling permanently. Tangier conjures up mystery, intrigue and romance. The doorway to Morocco: step through and you will be captivated forever.

For further information on: the Festival Programme, Tickets for the shows, Accommodation, Transfers, and other travel arrangements - Please do not hesitate to contact us on Tel: 07932826048 (England) or by Email: info@moroccofestivals.co.uk or moroccofestivals@googlemail.com

The 4th Festival “JAZZ IN RIADS” - FES
Location: The Imperial city of FES - Morocco
Date: 2nd - 4th November 2007
The Jazz festival in Riads thus reveals a single concept in its kind, to open the old residences and the monumental jewels of the Medina of Fes on sounds of saxophone, piano, percussion and double bass . The third edition was held of the 16 at November 18, 2006, with the participation of Jazz Bands / Artists from all over the world - This unique event is organised in partnership with the Foundation Spirit of Fes, the Regional Council of Tourism and the association of the Houses of hosts (RIADS).

13th Jazz au Chellah Festival
Where: The historic site of CHELLAH in the capital city of Morocco: RABAT
When: 13th - 18th June 2008
Type of Music: Jazz - Fusion
Participating Bands / Artists from: Sweden, Belgium, Morocco, UK, Luxembourg, Austria, Portugal, Poland, Germany and Spain.

The 1st Ryad en Jazz Festival - “Jazz in Riads”
Where: MARRAKECH
When: 2nd - 4th November 2007
http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/news.php?id=15627
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30,000 chickens daily smuggled from Morocco to Algeria. 
Sunday, October 21

15Thousands of chickens have been smuggled from Morocco to Algeria since the second week of the fasting month of Ramadan. Because of that, chicken prices increased, according to reliable sources. Chickens are smuggled across borders between Algeria and Morocco, said the same sources. Many poultry breeders and producers in borders areas expressed their concerns about this phenomenon and its direct impact on local production of white meat especially that there is no medical control for the smuggled chickens.

Over 30,000 chickens are daily smuggled to Algeria. Many trucks equipped with coops have been seen coming from Oran and Mostaghanem provinces (west of Algiers) to smuggle chickens. Smuggling across borders increased in the last few years and all measures and solutions to prevent it failed. Many smugglers have accused some influent personalities and officials of being involved in this issue. In this regard, security forces have opened investigations for many times.
http://www.echoroukonline.com/english/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=8006
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Riyadh approves US$50 million loan for human development in Morocco.
lundi 22 octobre 2007

Morocco and the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) have signed a memorandum of understanding under which the SFD is to give the Moroccan kingdom a 50-million dollar loan intended for the National Initiative for Human Development (INDH), diplomatic sources told APA here Monday. Signed on Sunday in Washington, on the sidelines of the annual assemblies of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the memorandum calls for the improvement of social security benefits and services.

The Initiative of human development in Morocco is meant to reduce poverty, precariousness and social exclusion through actions to support income-generating activities and the improvement of conditions for the access to basic services and facilities. Over 6 million inhabitants (in 264 urban and 403 rural communes) are expected to benefit from INDH actions i.e. about 20 percent of the Moroccan population. King Mohammed VI took advantage of the opening of the 8th legislature on 12 October to call on the new government and the parliament to “continue the effort of mobilisation” around INDH. The INDH initial programme is to end in 2010.
http://www.spcm.org/Journal/spip.php?breve2316
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Arab bank funds development operations in Morocco.
22/10/2007

The Board of Directors of the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA) has earmarked $4.8m to fund six development operations and eleven technical assistance programmes in Morocco, MAP quoted a BADEA press release as saying on Saturday (October 20th). Earlier this year BADEA allocated $141m to finance development projects in infrastructure, agriculture, rural development, health, education, energy and mining in 43 African countries.

In related news Sunday, Morocco signed a memorandum of understanding with the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) regarding a $50m donation to Morocco's National Initiative for Human Development (INDH). The donation will assist Morocco in generating employment and improving social benefits and services such as health, education, drinking water, housing, and transport in rural communities. http://www.magharebia.com/cocoon/awi/xhtml1/en_GB/features/awi/newsbriefs/general/2007/10/22/newsbrief-04
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Morocco's argan tree gets a boost.
By Imane Belhaj – 26/10/07 

Nearly 18 months on, the Tamounte project to plant and educate Sousse residents about the argan tree continues to show promise. Organisers hope the oil's growing popularity on the international market and better conservation efforts will contribute to the tree's sustainable cultivation. A forestation project for the argan tree which began in March 2006 is being assessed for a report due to come out in January 2008. The Tamounte conservation project has involved the planting of 42 hectares with more than 6,700 seedlings of the threatened species.

The argan tree, once believed to have covered much of the Maghreb, is now found only in south-western Morocco. Reportedly, only 8,600 square kilometres of the tree remain, and it is disappearing at an estimated rate of 500 square kilometres per year. Although the tree's nuts provide husks for livestock and oil for cooking and medicinal purposes, many of the trees have been cut down for firewood and to clear land for other agricultural uses.

Tamounte project director Mohammed Bendaoud told Magharebia the main thrust of the operation lies in reforesting the argan tree while preserving its economic contribution to the regional economy. Argan oil is used in Moroccan cuisine and medicine and has grown popular in Europe and North America for both cooking and cosmetic purposes.

Bendaoud said the Tamounte project embodies a participatory approach in order to involve local residents in the development process. Haphazard exploitation runs counter to the project's goal of using the tree as a sustainable economic resource, he said, and in addition to fencing off the planted region, the project focuses on sensitising residents of the Taksibt area in Belfaà to the need to preserve the tree. The 24-month project provides residents with technical training on preparing and planting the argan tree and the management of natural resources.

Bendaoud said the planting process has been 92% successful and that for the first time inhabitants are planting argan trees on their private property in an effort to reap the added value the tree's oil can provide when sustainably harvested. In the past, preservation efforts have been largely led by foreign organisations. The project is a collaborative effort between local agencies and the Network of Argan Biosphere Reserve Associations (RARBA), the Agency for Social Development in Morocco, the European Union and the German Technical Assistance Agency (GTZ).

As the species is now found almost exclusively in the Sousse region and continues to disappear quickly, UNESCO classified the tree in 1999 as a world heritage, warranting care and attention. The organisation helped create a reserve for the tree through the activities of local civil society. Since then a number of programmes have been implemented with the aim of involving local residents in protecting the tree and offering support for the responsible extraction of argan oil.

Looking forward, argan enthusiasts hope to create a map of tree locations to encourage travel agencies and professionals to bring tour groups to the region to explore the mountains and learn about the conduct, traditions and customs connected to the tree. This type of ecotourism, in combination with argan oil's growing popularity abroad, may be the key to preserving the species.
http://www.magharebia.com/cocoon/awi/xhtml1/en_GB/features/awi/features/2007/10/26/feature-03
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Reforming education, health system on agenda of government's action.
Rabat, Oct. 24

The government will endeavor to enable some 250,000 children aged 9-15 to join school yearly, and mobilize material and human resources to overhaul and promote the health system and the quality of services in this field, said, here Wednesday, Prime Minister, Mr. Abbas El Fassi. Speaking during the presentation of the Government statement before Parliament, Mr. El Fassi noted that the government aims to promote literacy and non-formal education in order to provide children who did not go to school with an opportunity to qualify them to join either formal education, vocational training or the job market.

In the area of health, the premier said the government will sketch out a national map on health with the aim of reducing disparities between regions, taking account of specificities and pressing needs of each region and remedying deficits in terms of organization and coordination. The governmental program in this field also aims at training qualified human resources to promote the management of the sector and improve the performance of health institutions to better respond to the growing demand of the citizens. The Prime Minister also noted that the government will endeavor to create more income-generating activities as part of the National Initiative for Human Development (INDH), launched three years ago to fight poverty and social exclusion.
http://www.map.ma/eng/sections/imp_social/reforming_education/view
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Morocco increases education rate, tamps down illiteracy, Minister.
Paris, Oct. 22

Morocco has managed to increase the primary schooling rate to 94%, said State Secretary in Charge of primary through secondary education, adding that schooling rate at the secondary school has attained 74.5%. Speaking Monday at the 34th UNESCO General Conference, Ms. Latifa Labida said the North African country has also made important efforts in terms of literacy and non-formal education, which helped tamping down the illiteracy rate to 38.5% in 2006 up from 43% in 2004. These efforts, she recalled, were internationally rewarded through granting Morocco the 2006 Confucius Prize for Literacy.

Ms. Labida confirmed that Morocco has embarked on a global pedagogical reform process aimed to developing the teaching methods and programs, encouraging orientation towards scientific branches, and consolidating the integration of new information and communication technologies in schools. The new reforms also include the integration of education on human rights, citizenship and gender equality, said the minister, adding that the reforms are aimed to level trainings with the sustainable development demands.
http://www.map.ma/eng/sections/social/morocco_increases_ed/view
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Agadir to host Concert for Tolerance.
22/10/2007

For the second consecutive year, Agadir will host the Concert for Tolerance on Saturday (October 27th), Aujourd'hui Le Maroc reported. The event is organised by the Moroccan Association for Tolerance, French manufacturer Electron Libre, French TV channel TF1, Morocco's 2M television channel and Agadir's regional council for tourism. The first Concert for Tolerance was held in Tunisia. Its main objective is promoting the culture of dialogue, peace and multiculturalism. The event will feature a number of international pop stars including Amel Bent, Jennifer, IAM, Magic System, Kamini, David Hallyday, Stanislas, Rose, Julie Zenatti, Mokobe, Algerian raï king Cheb Khaled, Chaabi star Najat Atabou and the rap group Fnaire. The concert will be broadcast live by Radio 2M and later by various European channels such as TF1, TV5 Monde and TV5 Europe, enabling over 30 million people around the world to watch the concert.
http://www.magharebia.com/cocoon/awi/xhtml1/en_GB/features/awi/newsbriefs/general/2007/10/22/newsbrief-06
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UNDP: Internet penetration level in Maghreb reaches 2.5%.
22/10/2007

Internet penetration in the countries of the Maghreb, in terms of users as a percentage of the population, is estimated at 2.5%, Algerian press quoted United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) expert Najat Rochdi as saying on Sunday (October 21st) in Algiers. The highest rate was seen in Morocco (14.36%), followed by Algeria (5.33%), Tunisia (3.46%), Libya (3.62%) and Mauritania (0.47%). The figures were presented at an international conference on ICT training.
http://www.magharebia.com/cocoon/awi/xhtml1/en_GB/features/awi/newsbriefs/general/2007/10/22/newsbrief-07
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Allure of ancient square: Marrakech aglow in tales as dusk settles in.
By Ellen Knickmeyer.  Washington Post MARRAKECH, Morocco

As darkness settled over Marrakech's Djemma el-Fna Square and the crowds flowed in to pass the evening, a stylish young Moroccan couple in one corner of the plaza crouched by a necromancer, urgently whispering their troubles into his ear. Their counselor, a maker of magic charms, listened attentively, pen ready to jot down the right incantation on one of the scraps of paper lying at his feet on the gray stone of the plaza.

In another corner, a Tuareg tribesman from the Sahara of southern Morocco was having a bad sales night. On a sheet before him lay withered ostrich legs, chunks of petrified wood from the rippling grasslands that once covered the Sahara, and numerous balms, potions, powders and scents. For now, no one was buying. From a plastic bin at the Tuareg's feet, dried chameleons used in magic and folk medicine - their eyes bulging and their tongues extruding - glared sullenly at passersby. From under his blue turban, so did the Tuareg.

Open fires roasting mutton for sale sent orange flames and towers of greasy smoke over Djemma el-Fna, adding to the medieval air of the ancient square, which is bounded by mosques dating to the 10th century.

Entertainers picked a stretch of pavement, plunked down low plastic stools, and placed battered acetylene lamps at their feet, bathing in a soft glow the rings of listeners that soon formed around them, silhouetted against the dark.

Strolling families from the city and boys from the towns beyond meandered from circle to circle, sampling stories, music, jokes and sales pitches that have been delivered nightly in the square for at least five centuries, all rendered in Morocco's Berber language. If St. Mark's Square in Venice is the drawing room of Europe, as Napoleon is supposed to have said, Djemma el-Fna is the salon of the Sahara.

In one circle, a peddler sold aphrodisiacs to a crowd of earnest men who frowned in concentration as they listened, arms crossed on their chests. The aphrodisiac-seller threw in plenty of free advice, counseling his audience that women looked for serious men, hardworking men, men who didn't use drugs.

Merchants hawked amulets against rheumatism, the evil eye, or the interventions of malicious jinn, or spirits.
Elsewhere, a group of young men burst into startled laughter around a joke-teller. Even if they'd had such a thought about a sheep before, they weren't used to hearing it spoken aloud in public.

Near the center of the square, Rachid Hriza, 32, sat on a stool alongside his fellow drummers, swinging his head about and smiling eagerly at all comers. Hriza and his friends drummed out the traditional Gnawa music of black Africans carried to Morocco by Arab slave traders from the 11th century on. Hriza, in embroidered cap and robe, paused politely to explain how he came to his line of work.
"My grandfather did it. My father did it. And I do it," he said.

By 10 p.m. or so, as the late summer evening turned damp, 59-year-old Khabzaoui Abdelhakim was shutting his show down for the night. Abdelhakim counts himself a storyteller, a halaqi. Most nights, he tailors his tales - less stories than innocently salacious jokes and songs, revved up to PG from G by grins and gestures - to the crowd.

He swung into a riff about a man who sold all his wife's clothes to buy wine. A lone older man, wearing the white robes, cap and beard that mark a man as a conservative Muslim, pushed his way into the circle, curious, just as a beaming Abdelhakim started describing women from southern Morocco with bosoms like this and behinds like that. The bearded man backpedaled out of the circle, vanishing.

Next morning, as Djemma el-Fna's day crews of snake charmers, monkey handlers and acrobats moved into the plaza, Abdelhakim shook his head and smiled when told of warnings by sociologists that many of the ancient ways of Djemma el-Fna were in danger of dying off - the storytellers' art first of all. "It's lasted a long time," he said, and laughed. "How can it disappear now?"
http://www.philly.com/inquirer/world_us/20071007_Allure_of_ancient_square.html
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The Kingdom of Morocco to Expand Use of World Bank Hedging Products.
Contact: Issam Abousleiman (iabousleiman@worldbank.org, 202-458-0865) Washington, October 22, 2007

The Government of Morocco and the World Bank have signed a Master Derivatives Agreement that will allow the Government of Morocco to use a range of hedging products to assist in managing the currency and interest rate risks of its sovereign debt portfolio. “Morocco will have access to an expanded menu of risk mitigation products for its sovereign debt management. Prudent use of hedging products can strengthen government risk management and help reduce vulnerability to financial shocks.” Kenneth Lay, The World Bank Treasurer said, This is the second Master Derivatives Agreement between the World Bank and one of its member countries that allows the use of hedging products for the entire public debt portfolio, rather than just for the country’s outstanding World Bank debt. The new agreement would enable the Government of Morocco to access a range of hedging products offered by the World Bank, including currency swaps, interest rate swaps, caps and collars and, commodity swaps.

In working toward an agreement, the Moroccan government relied on support from the World Bank’s Treasury staff in considering the legal and technical aspects of the World Bank’s hedging products, within the government’s broader asset-liability management framework. “The Moroccan Treasury has already used the World Bank financial instruments in managing the currency and interest rate risk of the government debt portfolio. The signing constitutes another milestone that would allow us extended access to the World Bank risk management products to be used in implementing our debt management strategy.” Mr. Zouhair Chorfi, Director of Treasury and External Finance of the Moroccan Ministry of Finance, said.

The hedging products offered by the World Bank allow borrowers to use standard market techniques to transform the risk characteristics of their outstanding debt portfolio within the Asset Liability Management framework of the government. In providing these banking products, the World Bank intermediates between market institutions and its borrowers, entering separate financial contracts with each of them. Borrowers benefit from financial terms that reflect the Bank’s AAA credit rating.

The World Bank uses one of the standard derivatives agreements developed by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. (ISDA) (the ISDA Master Agreement – Multicurrency - Cross Border), as documentation for clients’ hedging transactions.
http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/NEWS/0,,contentMDK:21521029~pagePK:34370~piPK:34424~theSitePK:4607,00.html
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Arab bank funds development operations in Morocco.
22/10/2007

The Board of Directors of the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA) has earmarked $4.8m to fund six development operations and eleven technical assistance programmes in Morocco, MAP quoted a BADEA press release as saying on Saturday (October 20th). Earlier this year BADEA allocated $141m to finance development projects in infrastructure, agriculture, rural development, health, education, energy and mining in 43 African countries.

In related news Sunday, Morocco signed a memorandum of understanding with the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) regarding a $50m donation to Morocco's National Initiative for Human Development (INDH). The donation will assist Morocco in generating employment and improving social benefits and services such as health, education, drinking water, housing, and transport in rural communities. http://www.magharebia.com/cocoon/awi/xhtml1/en_GB/news/awi/newsbriefs/general/2007/10/22/newsbrief-04
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The No-Guarantee Mortgage Loans in Moroccan.
10-18-2007

Defaults in mortgage payments have been rising in the United States as lenders are learneding that providing loans with no serious guarantees is risky business. Can this happen in Morocco too? Consumer credit and other forms of loan are expanding and growing in scope in Morocco to the point that alarm bells are ringing loud. Over the first nine-month period of last year, the CCG’s Fogarim (Fonds de Garantie pour Crédits Immobiliers), the state fund that guarantees mortgage loans for individuals with unstable incomes, received 7,000 applications that have easily been accepted by banks. Although the volume is not massive, the quick ramp up in applications for mortgage loans among low and unstable wage earners is indicative of a trend that private and state banks hope to leverage given the guarantees that the state provides. But the risks are enormous.

Indeed this program that was officially initiated in 2003 and fully launched in 2006 has attracted the heavy weights of Morocco’s banking sector. In summer 2006, government data showed that the banking sector has released MAD 810 million under the Fogarim program, and expanding from there. This program is said to have the potential of attracting 800,000 applicants, mostly as a strategy to reduce sub-standard housing and provide low-wage earners the ability to purchase their own housing units. These potential applicants are not required to show proof of steady revenue to be eligible. As such, it is no a surprise that Fogarim received so many applications in a relatively short period. It is a program that high-ranking government officials such as Taoufik Hejira, the former housing minister, qualify as “a policy that would revolutionize the housing sector in Morocco.” The policy allows banks to safely loan up to MAD 200,000 for low-income earners toward the purchase of a home. The CCG would guarantee 70% of the loan in case of default. The length of the loan is 15 years, with the bank getting in form of interest the equivalent of 50% of the principal, and is guaranteed not to lose money in case of default.

These conditions are attractive for Moroccan banks and so virtually all banks have joined the program, hence trusting the government as a guarantor. The latest bank to join the program was Arab Bank, but the bulk of the loans thus far (53% of applications) were naturally treated by the housing bank CIH. Banque Populaire is the second with 23% of the applications, followed by 14% for BMCE, and 9% for Attijariwafa Bank through its subsidiary Wafa Immobilier.

The latest to enter this space are currently working hard to catch up. Crédit Agricole and SGMB have recently processed a few applications in an effort to test the waters. Crédit du Maroc, BMCI and Arab Bank have been working on their offerings and plans. But their plans are not to distribute housing loans only. They hope to use this financial instrument to turn the applicants into regular banking customers, a group that has so far been out of the banking economy.

Observers wonder whether banks are taking advantage of this program to boost their business and profit from it. Banks argue that this is not the case but the program highlights instead the importance of a partnership with the government that would share the burden of risk among the partners. And indeed the risks are real and the stakes are high. The program, which could potentially involve billions of dirhams, could lead to massive losses given the way it is designed. Indeed applicants are only required to submit a written statement using the honor system to report their wages. There are no checks and balances and as such there is a risk that the outcome could be unanticipated. With the state potentially footing the bill for defaults, many say ultimately the burden will fall on taxpayers, while banks will remain sheltered.

The CCG, which oversees Fogarim, disagrees with this analysis, stating that as of now it has recorded no default or any problem among the applicants.

But risks still remain important because it is too early to speak of default or lack of it. It is evident that the banks’ agents who receive the applications are not equipped to check the validity of the statements of applicants, such as their income. They are not able to physically investigate applicants’ claims. At best, each bank says it has its own ways to minimize risk and often these methods are highly questionable. For example the CIH Bank and Wafa Immobilier have developed a questionnaire that could supposedly trap fraudulent applicants into making errors and be caught as a result. An applicant claiming to be a painter, for instance, would be asked questions related to his work such as the price of a 30-kilogram bucket of paint or how specific oils are used. These tricky questions are said to be real tests of passage. Banque Populaire too

says its agents are well trained to identify possible wrongdoers.
But banks are also mandated to keep an eye on the applicants during the entire life of the loan. Not only they are supposed to check the validity of the claims during the application process, but they are also required to check the status of the loan during the entire borrowing period. Their records gathered over time would be used to activate the guarantee fund in case of default, defined as the ninth consecutive missed payment. Proceedings would, in fact, begin as early as the third month of default.

Despite optimism, these measures alone are not sufficient and caution is palpable among senior government officials and bank executives. In the end, their argument is that property ownership is part of the fabric of the Moroccan society and that even low-income families should have the opportunity to own.
http://www.north-africa.com/news/csNews.cgi?database=aa.db&command=viewone&op=t&id=136&rnd=645.6225019797883
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Dining al fresco in foothills of Morocco a culinary experience.
By Laurel Miller, CONTRIBUTOR 10/24/2007

THE aroma of grilled meat drifts lazily through the air, mingling with the heady perfume of herbs. An ample, middle-aged woman wearing a gauzy white headscarf flashes me a shy smile, then resumes patting out small patties of lamb kefta (ground, spiced meat) before popping them on the charcoal brazier beside her. We are at Nectarome, an organic "aromatic garden" in Northern Morocco's Ourika Valley. Located one hour from Marrakech, in the foothills of High Atlas, Nectarome produces essential oils for its line of Moroccan aromatherapy and phytotherapy (plant-based medicinals) products.

I am on a culinary tour with Peggy Markel who leads small, culturally intensive culinary adventures throughout Morocco and Italy. Markel, who lives in Italy half the year and Boulder, Colo., the rest of the time, is also one of the unsung early promoters of the Slow Food revolution. She made the acquaintance of Slow Food (www.slowood.org) founder and food activist Carlo Petrini while in Florence in 1993. Inspired, she brought Petrini's philosophy back to Colorado. One of the first U.S. Slow Food gatherings was held in the teepee of master brewer Charlie Papazian in Boulder. In keeping with Slow's objectives, Markel's tours encompass visits to traditional, region-specific food artisans, farmers, markets and hands-on cooking classes with both professional chefs and accomplished home cooks.

In Moroccan and Italian culinary tradition, women generally run the home kitchen, but only rarely oversee restaurant kitchens; on Markel's Moroccan trip, they are often the same person, which is fascinating in its own right. In April, I made the trip to Morocco to join Markel on her Berber-influenced "Feast for the Senses" tour of Marrakech, Essaouira, and the Mt. Toubkal (the second highest peak in Africa) region of the High Atlas.

Morocco is nearly 60 percent Berber, a nomadic tribe indigenous to North Africa. The remaining 40-plus percent of the country is Arabic. Much of the cuisine that we think of as generically Moroccan is actually Berber in origin. This includes tagine, the ubiquitous stew of vegetables and meat cooked in a conical earthenware pot, couscous and various breads baked in communal mud ovens.

Markel always schedules a visit to Nectarome so that her "students" can participate in a traditional Berber bread baking class and tasting and experience a lunch of regional foods in the gardens. We watched as a teenage girl stoked the embers of the oven with a wood-and-leather bellows called a rabooz, then pulled round, naan-like breads from the shimmering heat of the interior.

Sesame-flecked tefarant; rough-textured barley bread; bread perfumed with fennel; zemeta'a, a barley and herb porridge mixed with extra virgin olive oil; all enjoyed with a selection of condiments that include fresh and dried dates, toasted, powdered cumin, addictively nutty toasted and raw argan oil (from the indigenous argan tree).

When the kefta was ready, our group of 12 gathered beneath a woven goat-hair tent and arranged ourselves among clusters of white roses, pillows and sheep skins for the feast. Platters of braised peas, baby artichokes and carrots arrived on cobalt blue and yellow Moroccan pottery, followed by salade Morocaine; sliced onion, tomato, and cucumber dressed with lemon juice, cilantro, and olive oil from the surrounding region; barley couscous, also grown nearby, and the smoky, spicy kefta, the juices of which mingled with the couscous to form a savory melange that we sopped up with the bread.

Glasses of chilled, dry Moroccan ros (called vin gris), fruit and mint tea rounded out our dream-like al fresco meal. A post-prandial soak perfumed with bath salts infused with herbs and flowers from the garden was a finale sweeter than any honey-drenched Moroccan dessert.

For more information on Moroccan culinary adventures, go to: http://www.peggymarkel.com.
Laurel Miller is a freelance writer, cooking teacher and owner of The Sustainable Kitchen. Contact her at http://www.sustainablekitchen.com.http://origin.insidebayarea.com/bayarealiving/ci_7266221
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A country of mystery 'Morocco' .

Morocco is a mysterious country, a bridge between Africa and Europe bordered with the dazzling blue water of the Mediterranean to the north, the crashing waves of the Atlantic to the west and the vast folds of the Sahara to the south. It is attractive and stirring. It differs from other African countries in terms of culture, economy and politics because of its proximity to Europe.

Arabs and Berbers form the majority of the population, but the prevalence of the French language is apparent almost everywhere, though Arabic is the official language. Intellectuals of the country typically speak French, the most-spoken language after Arabic.

Casablanca, the heart of the Moroccan economy, is one of the most celebrated cities of Morocco. We enter the famous Hasan II Mosque through one of the doors open to the public and immediately find an architectural style that is quite different from that of mosques in Turkey. This is understandable since the architect of the mosque was French. King Hasan II demanded that his pedigree, showing that his ancestry dates back to Prophet Mohammed, be placed in the mosque. The king was the most significant financier of the mosque's construction. Every detail within the mosque taken into consideration; even the ablution fountains are unique. It is once again apparent that they spared no cost in the construction at the site of the ornate hamams. The king, who commissioned this architectural wonder, is entombed next to his father, also a king. The Quran is continuously recited at their final resting place.

Next, we head to the lovely coastal city of Tangier with shores on both the Atlantic and the Mediterranean. The city reminds us of our Mediterranean cities, even with its climate. Furthermore, this is the closest African city to Europe. Having been governed by representatives of distinctive nations, the city, which previously did not belong to Morocco, had special international status until 1956. During that period, the official language of Tangier was Spanish and the language has remained dominant in the city despite the many years that have passed. Many people in Tangiers are able to speak Spanish along with French and Arabic.

We arrive at the famed Gibraltar, which shares a border with Spain. One of Musa bin Nusair's commanders, Tariq ibn Ziad, came to Morocco around 712 on an expedition and entered Spanish lands by passing across Gibraltar (named later after Tariq himself as Jebel-Tariq) to found the bases of the Islamic state of al-Andalus (those parts of the Iberian peninsula governed by Muslims between the eighth and 15th century). The very first people to come from Muslim armies to these lands were commander Ukbe bin Nafi and his troops in 686.

When two great bodies of water meet -- the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean in this case -- their waters do not mix. God mentions this in the Quran when He says: "He has given freedom to the two great bodies of water, so that they might meet: [yet] between them is a barrier which they may not transgress. Which, then, of your Sustainer's powers can you disavow?" Captain Cousteau was amazed upon discovering this fact when he was in the vicinity of Gibraltar as well as upon hearing that the Quran mentions it.

Colonial powers have not been present in the country since Morocco earned its independence, however some of its lands, though not vast, are effectively Spanish. Ceuta, to the north of the country and on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea is one of them. The language changes as soon as one enters Ceuta, for it is Spanish land. Melilla is Morocco's other autonomous Spanish city.

The initial capital of Morocco in 808, historic Fez is one of its most important cities. The section home to the "old city" established on an area surrounded by walls attracts attention of very many people. We, Turks, named the country "Fas" because of the city of Fez. We are also the only country on the world calling Morocco "Fas." In Arabic it is called al-Maghrib (meaning "The West"); Europeans prefer "Morocco."

Exploring Fez is like stepping into another world. Wide avenues are substituted for narrow streets with a spicy odor. As for automobiles, they are replaced by beasts of burden like donkeys, horses and mules. You almost go back in time while in Fez, seeking a response to the question: "How can I make use of the old bazaar in this mystic climate?"

Old Fez photographs are on the walls, on the stands are Turkish-made biscuits and chocolate, while children run about in the streets… The vivid bazaar's heart and soul is not complete without the black donkeys, mules and horses -- all indispensable for the myriad of merchants selling their wares.

Jellaba is a unisex item of clothing, but the ones for women are much more expensive because they involve more decoration and handicraft. The price of the garments increases with the amount of labor necessary to make them. It seems everybody is wearing the jellaba but us: We rush into a jellaba shop! The shopkeeper, a talkative gentleman, briefly informs us about the jellaba, telling how to put it on and take it off. We are ready to hit the streets once more once we have donned our fezzes. People do not even notice that we are from Turkey.

With a view from a hill that dominates the city, the Qarawiyyin Mosque is hard to miss in Fez el-Bali (old Fez), outside Fez el-Jedid (modern Fez), where most of the houses are just one-storey high. The roof of the mosque, built in 857, is made of clear emerald green tiles. The city was founded by those from al-Andalus. A famed university was established within the Qarawiyyin Mosque, the University of al-Karaouine, with rooms where courses were held surrounding it.

Morocco would be incomplete without the city of Marrakech, which lies almost the heart of the country. Guests catch the mystery of Morocco in both the old and the new parts of it. Date trees greet you at the entrance of the city. To some, one would not be considered as having visited Morocco unless one sees Marrakech. The very name is practically synonymous with "tourist." We see a spiral climbing up the minaret of the Koutoubia Mosque in place of stairs. The muezzins (people who call Muslims to the daily prayers from a minaret) even used to climb the 70-meter-high minaret on horseback so they could rapidly descend after reciting the ezan (call to prayer). However, we reached the peak of the minaret not with the help of horses, but after a lot of struggle. Our reward was to listen to the ezan at the top of the minaret.

Marrakech, or "red city" after the shade of its buildings, has a well-organized layout. The Atlas Mountains can be seen in the distance and give the city an unparalleled location. In fact Morocco was named after Marrakech, more famous than Morocco itself, which makes the people of Marrakech feel proud.

The beautiful date gardens come to mind at the mention of Marrakech, home to 800,000 date trees. As for all of Morocco, the number is 3 million. That is, over a quarter of the country's date needs are satisfied by the dates grown in this city. The scenery made by the date tree forests through which golf courses stretch is remarkable. Three of these golf courses attract many tourists.

After strolling through the city, visitors to Marrakech rush into the old market of the city to get to know the Moroccans and the country's culture better and to find the opportunity not only to observe the people in their natural environment, but to also shop.

We got to the famed Jemaa el-Fna Square after leaving the market. What we were first faced with first was a street dentist waiting for clients with pincers in his hand. Before him were hundreds of rotten teeth that he had extracted. Then came the henna artists peculiar to Morocco. You first choose the pattern of your liking from a catalogue, and then it is applied to your body. The pattern is not drawn by pen at all since the henna makers are real experts. A French family we came across at the henna maker was busy introducing henna to their daughters, who had not seen it before. Not only curious, the girls seemed delighted. Perhaps they took it to be a type of tattoo -- albeit an impermanent one. The tradition of applying various henna patterns on hands and feet has been passed from generation to generation. Patterns on hands are a good opportunity for those who want to try something new.

Many things can be found at Jemaa el-Fna. We encountered cobras brought from the Atlas Mountains that dance with the rhythm of music. Dozens of snake charmers make the cobras perform the dance called Iseva.

Jemaa el-Fna is a square of eternity, a living culture. One thing tourists do first is to observe the vividness and chaos of the place from the upper floor of the teagarden located on the corner. Below are magicians, fortunetellers, acrobats, curative herb sellers, dancers and singers along with water-bearers. Moreover, hundreds of people have dinner there, with all the attendant flames and smoke, making for a beautiful sight.

Almost all kinds of dishes are sold here at the open-air restaurants: anything from shellfish to traditional Moroccan offerings. Perhaps in keeping with the French influence, escargot (snails) and escargot soup are also on offer, though the queues for them are long.
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