FOM Newsletter May 2003
Morocco Week in Review 
May 5 2003

RABAT, May 2 (Reuters) - The agriculture-based Moroccan economy is set to grow at over 6.0 percent this year from a projected 4.5 percent, thanks to an expected bumper cereals crop, a senior government official said on Friday.  "The 4.5 percent forecast was based on a 5.5-million tonnes cereals crop. Now, indicators point to a cereals harvest exceeding 7.0 million tonnes, which leads us to believe that we'll post over 6.0 percent in 2003," the official told Reuters. Economic growth in 2002 stood at 4.5 percent. The official said an exact growth figure would be announced after the Agriculture Ministry gives estimates for the cereals harvest, which is expected to be before mid-May.The state-run farmers fund CNCA said last month it expected the cereals harvest to stand at 8.0 million tonnes. Agriculture contributes for up to 20 percent of Morocco's gross domestic product (GDP) and employs 40 percent of its workforce. As a result, Morocco's economic growth is often subject to weather vagaries. Finance Minister Fathallah Oualalou said in February that economic growth was set to reach 5.5 percent this year, but the U.S.-led war in Iraq have raised analysts' doubts that the figure would be achieved.  "It appears that the Moroccan economy shielded itself from a major impact of a shorter than expected war on Iraq, hence the government's optimism," a financial analyst said. The North African country needs economic growth of six to seven percent per year to make substantial progress in the eradication of poverty, which affects a fifth of the 30-million population. ((Reporting by Souhail Karam; Reuters Messaging: souhail.karam.reuters.com@reuters.net; e-mail souhail.karam@reuters.com; 212-37 726518))

Morocco to hold local elections next September 12

Local elections will be held in Morocco next September 12, it was officially announced on Tuesday. The announcement was made by Moroccan Communication Minister and Spokesman for the Government, Nabil Benabdallah, who was reporting to the press the elections timetable at the end of a weekly meeting of the government council.  The election of professional chambers will be held on July 25, while that of wage-earners representatives will take place between September 10 and 19, said the minister, adding that prefectures and provinces assemblies will elect their members on September 24. Other polls will be held next October 6 to renew one third of the 270-seat Chamber of Advisors. Members of the Chamber are elected for a nine-year term. One third of the Chamber is renewed every three years. The Communication Minister added that regional councils will elect their members on October 24. Benabdallah underlined that the government will endeavour to respect the time-table of elections and guarantee that the coming legislative term will open on the date set by the constitution, i.e. the second Friday of the month of October.  Last Thursday, King Mohammed VI accepted a request by political parties to reschedule the electoral timetable in a way that takes into account domestic and external circumstances and gathers conditions for a massive turnout and fair competition. The sovereign insisted that the elections timetable should respect the constitution provisions stipulating that the parliament shall open its session on the second Friday of October. According to Benabdallah, the move to hold the elections in September is not a postponement of the consultations, but rather a readjustment of the electoral time-table. Parties of the majorities made a proposal in this connection to the Prime Minister, he said, adding the proposal was submitted to King Mohammed VI, who accepted to it. The official noted that general electoral rolls are currently under scrutiny and the number of people registered will be after study of the lists. He stressed the government's will do its best to secure a high turnout in the elections, particularly among the youth, through an awareness and media campaign that will run until elections day. The campaign will be supervised by the interior department, he added.

Amazigh Dialect to be Taught in Primary Schools Next September, Moroccan Official Says

RABAT, Apr.30 - Morocco's Education and Youth minister Habib Malki, announced here on Tuesday that the Amazigh dialect will be introduced as of next September in 300 pilot primary schools across the Kingdom.  During a meeting with pedagogy specialists at Tariq Ben Zyad High School, in Azrou town (180 km north-east Rabat), Malki stressed that the teaching of Amazigh dialect will be gradually extended to other schools during the few coming years, in order to uphold the credibility of this "important" undertaking and grant it full success. The education department and the Royal Institute of Amazigh Culture (IRCAM), created in October 2001, agreed to set up a joint commission that will take all necessary measures concerning the teaching of the Amazigh dialect, he went on.  Earlier this year, the Sovereign approved the use of "Tifinagh" alphabet for Amazigh (Berber) writing, as recommended by the IRCAM. In similar development, Morocco's Communication minister and government Spokesman reiterated on Tuesday the government's determination to carry on dialogue with the IRCAM to materialize objectives outlined by H.M. King Mohammed VI to disseminate the Amazigh culture.

WASHONGTON, April 29 - The real value of the Moroccan currency, Dirham, rose by 21 percent between January 1991 and March 2001, mainly due to the heavy weight of the Dollar in Morocco's reference basket, said experts of the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The rise prompted Moroccan monetary authorities to readjust in April 2001 the composition of their reference basket in favour of the Euro, which led to a relatively moderate decrease in the nominal effective exchange rate, said Abdelali Jbili and Vitali Kramarenk, respectively under-director of the Middle East and North Africa and Senior Economist at the IMF. Despite a progress in terms of macro economic stabilisation, growth was relatively weak due to the Moroccan economy's dependence on agriculture and the "slowness" in implementing structural reforms, the two experts said in a story published in the latest issue of the IMF "Finances and Development" quarterly.  Thanks to restrictions on capital movement, Morocco's central bank managed to preserve certain autonomy in conducting monetary policy, they said, adding that under the impact of a cautious monetary policy, inflation --measured in terms of consumption prices index- headed towards the level noted in developed countries. The two experts --who concentrated on Morocco, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon and Tunisia as five emerging countries in the Middle East and on Iran as an oil producing country- noted that more flexible exchange systems would be more appropriate to help these nations drain more capital, while fixed rates or narrow fluctuation margins would be costly.

May 1, 2003 (Al-Bawaba via COMTEX) -- The African Development Bank (ADB) has signed a loan agreement EUR110 million to finance major reforms of the health sector in Morocco. The loan is intended to support the efforts of the Moroccan government in its reforms of the public health sector. The financing will also help the population to benefit from improved access, geographically and financially, to quality basic healthcare at reasonable cost. The Medical Coverage Reform Program (PARCOUM), which covers a period of four years, would benefit 85 percent of the Moroccan population, including the less favored groups. Furthermore, the program will improve governance as well as upgrade and mobilize human resources in the health sector.  The loan covers 26.29 percent of the entire program estimated to approximately EUR2.473 billion. The Moroccan government will meet the remaining cost with the support of other development partners. The total commitment of the Bank Group to Morocco is estimated to be approximately EUR3.35 billion for 71 operations. - (menareport.com) By Mena Report Reporters

JPM ups Morocco debt to neutral, cites rain

LONDON, May 1 (Reuters) - U.S. investment bank JPMorgan said on Thursday it had increased its allocation of Moroccan debt in its model emerging debt portfolio in part due to prospects of a large cereal crop thanks to good April rains. The 3.5 percent returns on Moroccan debt, which JPM had at underweight, have been weak, compared to the country's Middle Eastern peers, which returned 10.2 percent on average, the bank said. But this should change with "a calmer regional backdrop, stronger economic prospects due to a recovery in agricultural production, and a strong external position," the bank said. In mid-April a Moroccan agriculture ministry official told Reuters that generous April rainfalls have raised Morocco's hopes of a bumper cereals crop this year. Agriculture employs 40 percent of Morocco's 10 million workforce and contributes up to a fifth of the country's gross domestic product. Despite the large number of agricultural workers, Morocco typically imports around 4.5 million tonnes of soft wheat each year, which impacts its balance of payments. Last year the country produced 5.0 million tonnes of cereal, but the ministry official said a figure above 6.0 million was likely in 2003. The Moroccan economy has also been hit by falling tourism receipts, down 18.8 percent in 2002, thanks in large part to tension over Iraq, according to Moroccan analysts. Tension over Iraq has been high since September 2002, when U.S. President George W. Bush began said publicly that he wanted to disarm the country of weapons of mass destruction, by force if necessary. Iraq denied having any such weapons. In March, after months of diplomatic pressure, U.S.-led forces began a military campaign in Iraq, which occupied the capital Baghdad around three weeks later. ((reporting by Alexander Manda, editing by Chris Pizzey; Reuters Messaging alex.manda.reuters.com@reuters.net ; telephone +4420 7542 9361))

http://www.zawya.com/Story.cfm?id=1051780417nL01329935&Section=Countries&page=Morocco&l=091300030501 

Marrakesh Conference Raises US$ 21 Million for African Virtual University

MARRAKESH, Apr.30 - The International conference convened here on April 28-29 to raise funds for the African Virtual University (AVU) collected US$ 21 million out of the US$ 76 million necessary for the implementation of AVU's action program, said here on Tuesday the University's Chancellor Sheik Modibo Diarra. Diarra, who disclosed the figure at a joint press conference with Morocco's Higher Education minister Khakid Alioua, and AVU's Board of Trustees' Chairwoman and World Bank representative Mamphela Ramphele, said that AVU has adopted a medium term ambitious strategy that requires US$ 6 to 7 million to equip training centres and reinforce curricula related to computer, mechanic and electric engineering and implement public health programs. After voicing optimism as to AVU's ability to collect other financial resources, Diarra announced that the Canadian International Development Agency (ACDI) has recently promised to contribute US $ 12 million and that similar moves will be undertaken during G8 summit, scheduled next June in Evian, France. During the Marrakesh conference, held under the patronage of H.M. King Mohammed VI, at the initiative of Princess Lalla Meryem, UNESCO goodwill ambassador, African Higher Education ministers unanimously stressed that AVU should now target African universities to implement its objectives aiming to materialize sustainable development in the continent. Alioua on his part said that AVU is aimed to promote cooperation in higher education and scientific research realms between different African universities, underlining the Kingdom's achievement in introducing newinformation and communication technologies. The Moroccan official reiterated Morocco's commitment to support the African Virtual University by helping it benefit from Moroccan universities technological potential, noting that this move is part of the Kingdom's longstanding cooperation with African countries in political, cultural and educational realms. A total of 6,000 African students are presently enrolled in Moroccan universities, he recalled. Initially headquartered in Washington, the University moved in 2002 to Nairobi (Kenya) and has acquired the status of an independent inter-governmental organization. To date, over 23,000 African students have taken part in the seminars and conferences broadcast on its network of 31 learning centres. Courses dispensed at this internationally-reputed higher education institution are broadcast via satellite transmission.

Birth of new association to defend democracy and modernity in Morocco

A group of civil society militants announced on Tuesday the inception of a new association dedicated to defending democracy and modernity in Morocco. The charter states that the association, which groups other components of the civil society, "will be advocating the dissemination of democracy and modernity values and open spaces for political, economic and cultural debates between all tendencies, far from the single thought and exclusion." The association founders also want to fight anti-democratic deviations, and tendencies to use religion for propaganda, hatred advocacy, racism and violence ends. Among its most leading founders, some are already active in the civil society, such Noureddine Ayouch (founder of the Zagora association that extends micro-loans), Abdelali Benamor from democracy-advocating think-tank association "Alternatives" and Abderrahim Harrouchi, founder of civism association "Afak." For the association which calls for drawing on Morocco's historical legacy to take a share in developing human civilization, defending and disseminating the values of democracy and modernity is the job of political parties, associations, trade unions, intellectuals, journalists and all actors in cultural and social fields.

PARIS, April 30 - Morocco on Wednesday proposed the holding next June of a ministerial conference of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), exclusively devoted to multilateral agricultural negotiations, part of the Doha Cycle. Morocco made the proposal at the annual ministerial Organisation of the Conference for Economic Cooperation and Development (OCECD), held in Paris. Such a conference would help alleviate the schedule of the 5th WTO ministerial conference, due to be held next September in Cancun, Mexico, and to move ahead towards the construction of tomorrow's multilateral commercial system, Moroccan external trade minister, Mustapha Mechahouri, told the meeting.  Morocco was attending the OCECD conference in its capacity as acting chairman of the Group of 77 (G-77) plus China.Mechahouri urged the international community to act rapidly and give a new boost to the Doha process through adopting constructive recommendations, particularly regarding intellectual property, access to medication and proposing solutions to crucial problems facing developing countries, including those of investments. The World community should start with sending positive signals, beginning from the G-8 summit, due next June in Evian (France), a summit that should make a clear answer to the problems of access to medication and of agriculture, the official said. The Moroccan delegate deplored that capital drained by developing countries is short of meeting the requirements of accelerated growth. Touching on the pitfalls of the Doha Cycle, Mechahouri regretted that a year and half after the Doha conference the results are meagre, as the time-table set at this conference was not respected. Major development issues on the Doha Agenda, including the implementation of the declaration on intellectual property and public health have not been settled yet, he said, adding that Morocco had repeatedly warned, on behalf of African countries, against the potential failure of the projected Cancun conference to credibly answer key development issues. All WTO member countries should constructively participate in the liberalization of exchanges based on equity, said Mechahouri.

BRUSSELS, Apr.30 (MAP)- The European Union granted Morocco on Tuesday over a US $69 million package to fund a structural adjustment program of the transport sector, says a release of the EU Mission in Morocco. The amount is part of MEDA II, the main financial instrument of the European Union for the implementation of the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership that offers technical and financial support measures to accompany the reform of economic and social structures in Mediterranean partner countries.

Morocco is earnestly committed to fighting software pirating and is one of the most active countries in this realm, said Tuesday spokesperson of the North Africa Association of Business Software Association (BSA) software editors. At a conference in Casablanca to present the results of a study on the impact of fighting pirating on the information technology sector, Bennani recalled that pirating rate in the world is estimated at 40 percent as revealed by a study by IDC (the first world group of counselling and studies in IT markets) that included 57 countries representing 98 percent of the IT world market. The study underscores that a 10 points drop in pirating rate in the world will bring about the creation of 1,5 million jobs, a US $400 billion in economic growth and US $64 billion additional taxes for world countries. As to Africa and the Middle East, such a drop will lead to the creation of 11,000 jobs, a $4,7 billion economic growth and over US $400 million of taxes revenues in the region. The drop encompasses two quarters of the 57 countries, including Morocco with 16 points from 1996 to 2001. Bennani further said it is important to raise the awareness of consumers and enterprises as to their liability and the damage pirating causes to creators and the economy in general. "Awareness campaigns are not limited to BSA members, they include local editors in the realm of intellectual propriety in general," said BSA spokesperson.

RABAT, Morocco, Apr 29, 2003 (AP WorldStream via COMTEX) -- The Moroccan government announced Tuesday the postponement of municipal elections by several months - a move widely seen as an effort to thwart the rise of Muslim fundamentalist parties. Communications Minister Nabil Benabdallah told a news conference that the decision to delay the vote from June to September came at the behest of the "ruling political parties." Asked about the reason behind the delay, the minister simply said "it is not up to me to comment on the initiatives of  political parties." He said the vote would now be held on Sept. 12. Analysts in this moderate Muslim North African kingdom, which enjoys close ties to the United States, have predicted that Muslim fundamentalist parties will make massive gains. The weekly "Tel Quel" said in its Saturday edition that delaying the elections gives moderate parties more time to campaign and double their efforts to attract voters. But "the risk of an Islamic landslide is obviously not excluded," the magazine said. In a sign of strengthening Islamic sentiment, a party with leaders who want to implement Islamic law in Morocco tripled its seats in September legislative elections, taking 43 seats in the 325-seat assembly. The Justice and Development Party, which draws its support in impoverished urban suburbs and among university students, has rallied against the French-speaking elite, denounced rampant corruption and called for a strengthening of Arab-Muslim identity. Some 15.5 million Moroccans are eligible to vote on Sept. 12 for representatives in 1,400 municipalities. Copyright 2003 Associated Press, All rights reserved http://www.zawya.com/Story.cfm?id=119w1818&section=Countries&page=Morocco&channel=All%20Morocco%20News&objectid=22403786-8F1A-11D4-867000D0B74A0D7C 

RABAT, Apr.30 - The situation of Moroccan expatriates in Spain and readmission procedures as well as fighting illegal migration and mafia networks were probed here on Tuesday by Morocco's Interior minister, Mustapha Sahel and the Spanish Interior ministry's delegate in charge of foreigners' affairs and immigration.  The two officials, who reviewed different cooperation aspects falling under the scope of their action, voiced a common will to consolidate Moroccan-Spanish bilateral relations, says a release of the Interior ministry circulated here. The Moroccan-Spanish task group on immigration held here on the same day a meeting that took place "in an atmosphere of sincerity and frankness", according source close to the Interior ministry. The session agreed upon several items related to the illegal migration re-admission procedure and reached breakthroughs on several other subjects. According to the same source, the Moroccan party to this session was keen on gathering all conditions of success to the implementation of these agreements. Regarding the situation of minor illegal migrants, Morocco has put forward a project. The Spanish side asked for a deadline to study this project and make their input. MAP also learnt that the talks also surveyed the situation of Moroccans living in Spain. The Moroccan delegation to the meeting was led by Mohamed Yassine Mansouri, wali (senior governor) and general director of internal affairs at the interior ministry, while the Spanish delegation was headed by the government's delegate in charge of foreign affairs and immigration, Ignacio Gonzalez. The task group is one of five others set up by the two countries last December to examine pending issues in the then-strained relationship between the two countries. The other joint groups deal with political issues, border delimitation, economic ties and relations between civil societies. Bilateral relations were normalized last February 1st with the return of ambassadors to their respective posts.

Morocco's Premier, Driss Jettou announced in Rabat on Wednesday that the government and social partners agreed on pending issues related to a draft labor code on May Day eve. "We have come around a consensus on pending issues concerning the draft labor code," said Jettou, who was presenting the results of the latest round of social dialogue with trade unions and employers. The project is set to help modernize professional relations within the Moroccan enterprise based on norms and legal regulations that uphold all the parties' rights, stressed Jettou.The draft Labor code, he explained will also help tune national legislation with the internationally recognized principles, among others union's freedom of action, and protection of employees' representatives.  The draft also provides for a 10 per cent rise in basic minimum wage in both public and semi-public sectors to be implemented in two stages, he added. Other principles set forth in this project include the reduction of the weekly working hours from 48 to 44, the adoption of the principles of flexibility, and compensation in case of job loss, he went on, noting that the draft will undoubtedly spur foreign investments in Morocco. The Prime Minister added the government and unions agreed on the mechanisms whereby social conflicts will be settled, a legal framework regulating strikes in such a way that guarantees the wielding of "this constitutional right on one hand and work freedom on the other."In a related development, Employment, Social Affairs and Solidarity minister, Mustapha Mansouri termed as "revolutionary" the outcome of the government-unions dialogue that "will have in an immediate future strong and very positive repercussions" on the national economy. The official told MAP that at the consensus that was built by the government and its social partners is "an extremely important step forward for our country."

RABAT, May 02 - Several Moroccan trade unions marked this year's May Day on a note of optimism, following the announcement of a deal on workers' grievances announced by the government in the evening of April 30. The agreement signed between the government, unions and employers, is "a historic step" forward, said Secretary General of the Labour Democratic Confederation (CDT), Noubir Amaoui. Speaking at a May Day rally in Casablanca, Amaoui said the accord marks a decisive turning point that ushers in a new era in Morocco. "What we could achieve yesterday honours the unionist movement in Morocco," he said. The CDT chief pointed to the positive results of the social dialogue, such as preservation of union freedoms, adaptation of national legislation to international conventions, generalization of the Guaranteed Minimum Wage in public, semi-public and sectors and the 10% rise in minimum wages. Secretary General of the General Union of Moroccan Workers (UGTM), Abderrazak Afilal, said the positive results of the social dialogue were possible "thanks to the different partners' joint efforts." He hailed commitment made by the government to implement the Guaranteed Minimum Wage in the public sector, which will guarantee a 300 Dirham rise for public service workers and a 10% rise for private sector employees. These assets are a "minimum," and "a starting point," for this dialogue, which all the parties are engaged to carry on, Afilal said, calling on unions to form a strong and unified front for the defence of workers' rights. Besides agreement on workers major grievances, the government and its social partners also reached consensus on a new draft labour code. "We have come around a consensus on pending issues concerning the draft labour code," said Prime Minister, Driss Jettou, who was presenting the results of the social dialogue. The draft is set to help modernize professional relations within enterprises based on upholding all the parties' rights, he stressed. The draft reduces weekly working hours from 48 to 44, stipulates compensation in case of job loss. The Prime Minister described the new draft labour code as leverage to foreign investments in Morocco. The government and trade unions agreed on mechanisms whereby social conflicts will be settled, a legal framework regulating strikes in such a way to guarantee the wielding of "this constitutional right on one hand and work freedom on the other." Other broad lines of the social dialogue results include competitive loans rates for employees and repayment deadlines extension from 12/15 years currently, to 20/25 years. The deal provides for public support through mobilization of the state and local councils real estate to reduce the cost of low-cost housing to between 80.000 and 120.000 DH instead of 200.000 DH, currently. The text also provides for right to strike, voluntary early retirement at the age of 55, reduction of weekly working hours to 44 hours from 48 presently. Under the deal, women will have their motherhood holidays extended from 12 to 14 weeks.

Calls for Preserving Morocco's Institution of Commander of the Faithful

RABAT, May 02 - Dr. Abdelkerim Khattib, Secretary General of the Islamist Justice and Development Party (PJD) on Friday called for preserving the institution of Commander of the Faithful, which he termed as an "advantage" for Morocco. "The institution of Commander of the Faithful is something very important, because it represents the Islamic Ummah (Nation). This is an advantage for our country that should be preserved and promoted," Dr. Al-Khatib told independent daily "Aujoud'hui le Maroc". The Commander of the Faithful, or "Amir Al-Muminin" in Arabic, is a title of the King of Morocco. Under Article 19 of the Moroccan Constitution, the King, "Amir Al-Muminin"(Commander of the Faithful), shall be the Supreme Representative of the Nation and the Symbol of the unity thereof. He shall be the guarantor of the perpetuation and the continuity of the State. As Defender of the Faith, He shall ensure the respect for the Constitution. Dr. Khatib, whose party holds 42 seats in the Moroccan House of Representatives, rejected the "Islamist" label stuck to his party, born in 1997 out of a fusion between the former Popular Democratic and Constitutional Movement (MPDC) and recognized Islamic trends. "When MPDC opened its arms in 1997 to the Islamic Trend (...) it sought to federate all sensibilities around the Constitution and the allegiance," he said. The PJD's objective is to "moralise" the society "through a return to our values and our traditions," said Dr. Khatib, a physician. Dr. Khatib lashed out at attempts to demonize Islam and wondered why people are not afraid of catholic parties in Europe. He stressed the need to interpret (religious) texts "according the spirit and requirements of century." MAP 2003

RABAT, April 29 - "From my Soul to Yours, the Art of Transmission" is the theme of the 9th edition of the Fez Festival of World Sacred Music, to be held next June 6-14 in Morocco's spiritual capital city, Fez. Artists, singers and music groups from Africa, Europe, the Americas and Asia will flock to the rendez-vous, which has become a landmark cultural venue with a fame going well beyond Morocco's borders. The Festival provides a space for dialogue between cultures and civilizations, said Mohamed Kabbaj, President of the Festival. It is meant to be a platform permitting us to go beyond globalisation towards a more universal and a more genuine concept, he told the press in Casablanca. In an era where technology has become predominant, "it is importance for this very technology to be rooted at a new cultural level that of sense, wherein the essential is conveyed not by words but rather from soul to soul," he said  Organizers of the festival want to make of Fez the capital of spiritual dialogue. An international communication network will see the light of day to make of the festival an international encounter of universal cultures, said Kabbaj. The Festival's mentors also see in this encounter an opportunity to contribute to ongoing efforts to correct the image of Islam and Muslims, prey to a fierce distortion campaign in the West. The city of Fez is the suitable venue to host this kind of events to show that the Muslim culture remains a culture of overture and of dialogue and that Muslims who believe in the principle of difference, accept others, Kabbaj underlined. Parallel to the Festival, Fez will host a conference, themed "A Soul for Globalisation". The meeting will deal with a wide range of topics including "our responsibilities vis-à-vis the mounting generations," "the spiritual citizenship" and "Education for a World of solidarity." © MAP 2003

Morocco lay out new strategy to attract Arab tourists

A new strategy was adopted to attract Arab tourists to Morocco, particularly from the Gulf states, the Moroccan national office of tourism (ONMT) ,announced Monday at a seminar held in Rabat. ONMT Director General, Fathia Bennis, said opening a bureau in Dubai will help consolidate Morocco's assets in the region, develop family and business tourism and acquaint people with the Moroccan tourism products. Bennis drew the attention of professionals on the necessity to customize accommodation structures to Arab tourists. Part of the new strategy, the office is turning to tourists from other states like Syria, Lebanon, Jordan and Egypt where Morocco will participate in exhibitions organized by these states, said ONMT's director of the Middle East and Asia, Taebi El Khaattab. He added that this strategy will be reinforced by the servicing of new airlines and the conducting of a promotional campaign in the major satellite channels and Arab magazines. The seminar coincides with preparations for the 10th edition of the tourism fair to be held in Dubai on May 6-9, which will attract 56 countries including Morocco.

Arab tourists earned Morocco $260 million in 2002

Arab tourists who visited Morocco in 2002 earned the country's treasury some 2.6 billion Dirhams (US$ 260 million), said Secretary General of the Moroccan Tourism Office (ONMT), Ayachi Aalla. Arab visitors to Morocco come second after the French, Ayachi told MAP News Agency, adding that Arab tourists spend ten times as much as westerners. The executive deplored the absence of products for Arab tourists and the insufficiency of air links despite ONMT's efforts, namely the opening in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) of a branch for the promotion of the Morocco bound in the Gulf. During the past two years, several delegations representing businessmen and tour operators visited Morocco to explore investment opportunities in tourism.

Reuters Tuesday April 29, 2003 2:26 PM

RABAT, April 29 (Reuters) - Morocco has appointed a top businessman to lead its bid in the all-African race to host the 2010 soccer World Cup, state radio reported on Tuesday. It said King Mohammed had appointed 52-year old Saad Kettani as campaign chief, citing his "international experience and strong networking". Kettani is a main shareholder in insurance firm Wafa Assurance and Wafabank through the Kettani family-owned Sopar holding. It was not immediately clear if Driss Benhima, who has led the north African country's attempts to stage the World Cup, would stay. Morocco tried to host the 1994, 1998 and 2006 events but the lack of adequate infrastructure, including stadiums and roads, hampered its bids. Sopar operates in Morocco and in several African countries in sectors such as electrical appliance manufacturing, construction, finance, agriculture and fisheries. The 2010 World Cup is due to be hosted by an African nation for the first time, with Egypt, Libya, Morocco, Nigeria, South Africa and Tunisia all in the running. FIFA will decide in May next year which country will host the event. South Africa and Morocco are considered the favourites. Germany will host the 2006 World Cup.

French crew win Moroccan Aicha des Gazelles Rally

A French crew, made up of Christiane Girca and Isabel Beaumont, driving a Mitsubishi L 200, won the famed female Moroccan endurance desert rally of Aicha des Gazelles. The second and third ranks went to Canadian crews at the end of five stages across 1,150 km in the Moroccan desert. The first Moroccan crew came in 28th, while a French-Moroccan team ranked 19th. Pilots from 17 countries participated in the ten-day competition, sponsored by a French company, Maienga. The motor race went to French Giminez Patricia Poncet on a Yamaha. (MAP)AO/

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