Virtual Magazine of Morocco on the Web
Morocco Week in Review 
May 29 2004

Micro-finance institutions eye treble recipients.
Morocco exports 10% of its pharmaceutical products, Minister.
Kuwaiti charity launches projects in Morocco.
HM King calls for a national plan to improve child's condition.
Morocco's GDP to post estimated 4.4% growth in 2004.
Morocco resumes imports of milk cows next October.
Morocco announces measures to improve marketing of 2004 cereal yield
Number of tourists in Morocco up
HM King Mohammed VI dedicates dam near Agadir
Government to draw new 'integrated plan' to fight drug trafficking, minister
Thomas Cook, Iberostar eye strategic partnership with Morocco.
Morocco earmarks $297 million to rebuild quake-stricken region
Spanish government approves 650,000 Euro aid for Al-Hoceima quake victims.
Campaign to promote Morocco's bid for 2010 has cost US $17 Mn, official
Marrakech hotel obtains International tourism federation's top award

Micro-finance institutions eye treble recipients.
Economics, 5/28/2004

Micro-finance institutions, which have extended some 1.5 million loans worth
3.4 billion DH (around US$ 377 million) by end of last December, want to treble the number of recipients to reach 1 million persons and increase by eight folds their loans to 4.5 billion DH (US$ 500 million). Chairman of the federation of micro-finance institutions, Rida Lamrini, said a total of 537 million DH were earmarked in micro-loans that went to 307,532 persons, including 75% of women. Micro-finance has created 1,057 direct permanent jobs and thousands of indirect jobs, said the chairman of the federation which musters 12 institutions. He stressed that "the Moroccan experience is poised to become a reference in the Mediterranean, as half of all the region's recipients are Moroccans and Morocco is one of the few countries that adopted a law that regulates and supervises this activity." He called for access to subsidies and to bank loans in order to finance micro-finance social activities, in addition to mobilizing the savings of micro-entrepreneurs and resorting to the stock market to finance debts.
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Morocco exports 10% of its pharmaceutical products, Minister.
Economics, 5/27/2004

Morocco which hosts a "renowned laboratory" specialized in the control of drugs, exports 10 percent of its pharmaceutical products, revealed Tuesday, the Moroccan minister of Health. Mohamed Chiekh Biadillah said, at meeting with his Mauritanian counterpart Wassam Ouled Abdelkader, that Morocco also intends to open early next year in Casablanca, an institute for the training of technicians in bio-medical material, and increase its training centers for nurses from 14 to 21.
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Kuwaiti charity launches projects in Morocco.
Local, 5/22/2004

The Kuwaiti "Arrahma" charity foundation launched in Kenitra on Thursday several projects, including a mosque, a school and a housing compound. The mosque will cost 450,000 DH (over US$ 40,000), while the school, open for 320 orphans and destitute children, required 2.8 million DH (US$ 311,000). As for the housing compound project, to consist of 26 flats, shops, a bakery, a restaurant and a sports center, it will be carried out for a cost of 9 million DH (US$ 1 million). The foundation delegation visited another residential project, consisting of 50 flats for poorest families to be carried out for a cost of 2.4 million DH (us$ 0.26 million).
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HM King calls for a national plan to improve child's condition.
RABAT, May 25

HM King Mohammed VI has called for a national plan to improve the conditions of children in the Kingdom, saying he was "keen to see to it that children be provided with a democratic education." This came in a message to the tenth edition of the National Congress of the Child's Rights that opened, here Tuesday, under the high patronage of the monarch. In his message, read out on his behalf by his sister, HRH Princess Lalla Meryem, chairwoman of the National Observatory of the Child's Rights" ONDE), the sovereign said "We should encourage children to be firmly committed to good morals, to human ideals, and to the rights and obligations entailed by responsible citizenship. They should also be encouraged to take keen interest in the sound management of public affairs, based on tolerance, respect of other people's views and total rejection of all forms of extremism, violence and abuse."

The sovereign, who is "particularly keen to see to it that children are provided with a democratic education", said "we should instil in our children the love of the homeland, of life in dignity and in a healthy environment. We must teach them to respect the rule of law and to support coexistence and constructive interaction with all human civilizations and with people of the revealed religions." Our children, he went on, should be encouraged to uphold universal human rights, but remain faithful to their distinctive Moroccan identity, displaying an open, rational attitude towards the requirements of their times."

HM the King's message came as the country is celebrating the National Child Day, the commemoration of which was decided by his late Father, HM King Hassan II. "Our goal is to make further achievements in support of the nation's foremost wealth, namely our youth and skilled human resources," HM the king said.

The Observatory which brings together all government authorities concerned as well as representatives of civil society, is, according to the monarch, "capable of rising to all challenges, and engaging in dedicated, constructive dialogue with a view to drawing up a national plan."

"This plan should reflect my concern to improve the condition of the child, as well as the special care and affection I have for children", HM King Mohammed VI said adding that this plan should be " integrated in the global project for a modern, democratic society, which I am particularly keen to bring to fruition, as the embodiment of the aspirations of an entire nation."

"Doing justice to women, protecting children's rights, and preserving men's dignity, through the new Family Code, which is meant to help build a closely-knit family unit, are basic components as well as key objectives of the project.", the monarch noted. Morocco, he went on, has made considerable progress in the area of child protection and promotion of children's conditions.

After praising "the excellent programs" supervised by his sister, HRH Princess Lalla Meryem, the monarch urged all actors involved - government authorities, local communities, civil society, private sector and the media
- "to show even greater mobilization and co-ordination of their efforts in order to improve the condition of children, as part of an integrated plan for the next decade." Children, he insisted, "should fully enjoy their rights as citizens; hence the need to overcome such impediments as poverty, marginalization, illiteracy as well as serious and infectious diseases."
"Social services should be made available to our children, especially youngsters in difficult situations, and those living in marginalized neighbourhoods or rural areas." © MAP 2004 http://www.map.co.ma/mapeng/home_dep/h_deppar09.htm
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Morocco's GDP to post estimated 4.4% growth in 2004.
Economics, 5/26/2004

Morocco's Gross domestic product (GDP) is expected to grow by an estimated 4.4% by end of 2004, which is "a year of transition towards a significant economic growth" according to the Centre Marocain de Conjoncture (CMC). The 2003-2004 farming performance is one of the main reasons of this impetus, the center goes, explaining that with a 8 million ton yield of cereals and an appreciable behavior of sectors like cattle breeding and fruits and vegetables, farming's added value should progress by 6.5% against 2003. The mining sector, which has had a dull 2003 performance, is expected to regain momentum this year, the CMC goes, adding that the added value of the construction and public works sector should score a 7.5% rise.

According to the CMC, the growth of the tertiary sector, which could reach 2,6 PC, should benefit relatively well from households demand, a significant redeployment of tourism and a foreseeable expansion of telecommunications. It is also expected that internal demand for goods and services will increase by 7%, the same source said, noting that the rise in households demand is due to creation of new jobs and the rethinking of the minimum wage, decided in mid-2003. The center said despite the restrictive aspect of the current finance law, which reflects public authorities' determination to preserve macro-economic balance, these trends will cause the global budget deficit to reach 3.8% of the GDP. As far as prices are concerned, the Centre Marocain de Conjoncture foresees a 2% rise in the living cost indicator.
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Morocco resumes imports of milk cows next October.
Economics, 5/27/2004

Morocco will resume, starting next October, importing milk cows, says the agriculture and rural development ministry which explains that an ad-hoc commission has found that current conditions are BSE-risk free. Resuming the importation of milk cows was decided after an ad-hoc commission found that current conditions are free from risks of the bovine spongiform encephalopathy (mad cow disease). However, the source stresses, the epidemiological surveillance program will continue. The decision was made after consulting with all the dairy sector professionals, says the ministry. Morocco has banned importing milk cows since November 2000.
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Morocco announces measures to improve marketing of 2004 cereal yield
RABAT, May 25

Morocco has announced a series of measures to improve the marketing of its 2004 cereal yield so farmers can obtain good market prices, says the agriculture and rural development ministry. The measures include border protection and support of soft wheat collecting. Morocco projects to implement starting next June 1st needed adjustments for imports of cereals so as not to conciliate between import prices and the need to guarantee the sale of local production. The 2004 cereal harvest is expected to be the 3rd best one Morocco has known in 20 years. Morocco will continue to import cereals needed to meet its local demand by issuing competitive tender bids. © MAP 2004 http://www.map.co.ma/mapeng/news/politics/pol_019.htm
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Number of tourists in Morocco up
May 27, 2004 (Al-Bawaba via COMTEX)

The number of tourists that visited Morocco by end of April 2004 amounted to 1.27 millions, i.e. a 21% rise compared to last year, MAP said. For April only, 368,986 tourists were registered at the borders against 297,947 during the same period last year, say a 24 percent rise.  French tourists led the list with 376,190 visitors, posting a 26% increase in comparison with 2003, followed by Spanish and the German with respectively 99,036 (up 47%) and 48,811 (unchanged) tourists. (menareport.com) By Mena Report Reporters (C) 2004 Albawaba.com, All rights reserved.
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HM King Mohammed VI dedicates dam near Agadir
AIT MZAL Locality (near Agadir), May 27

HM King Mohammed VI dedicated this Thursday afternoon in the rural locality of Ait Mzal, 65 km south of Agadir, the Ahl Souss dam, destined to supply drinking water to 35,000 inhabitant and irrigate around 280 hectares. Launched in June 2000 by the sovereign, the dam construction works required 190 million Dh (US$ 21.1 million), allocated by the state's general budget. It will also protect the neighboring Ait Baha center against floods. With a reserve of a capacity of 5 million cubic meters, the facility comprises a central flood spillway with a maximum flow of 715 cubic meters/second and a bottom outlet capable of transiting a maximum flow of 24 cubic meters per second.

After unveiling the new dam commemorative plaque, the sovereign was briefed on the hydro-agricultural development project of the Ait Baha basin, in which a large portion of the new dam water will serve (1.26 million cubic meters a year) to irrigate farming land.
The program, to cost 9.10 million DH (around US$ 1.01 million) will develop water resources, improve the income of farmers and reduce rural exodus thanks to the significant job opportunities it will generate. It will also help diversify cultures, mainly orchards, vegetables and animal feed.

Other facilities, including 4km-long pipes and a water treatment plant, between the dam and the drinking water distribution reservoirs will also be carried out, at a cost of 60 million DH (US$ 6.6 million). A total of 136 hamlets will benefit from these facilities.

The project is set to meet the Ait Baha center needs by 2020, increase by 10% access to drinking water and promote the socio-economic development of the region, through the creation of 96,000 work days during construction and
22 permanent jobs for the operation of facilities. © MAP 2004
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Government to draw new 'integrated plan' to fight drug trafficking, minister
RABAT, May 27

Moroccan interior minister, El Mustapha Sahel, announced on Wednesday that his department is about to draft a "new integrated plan" to fight drug trafficking, and that it will be submitted for discussions to "several parties". The minister made the announcement at the weekly question time at the House of Representatives (Parliament's lower chamber).

He said this plan will reveal in a "precise way", the data related to this "plague" at the national level and its social and economic impact on society. Il will include new provisions that will boost the repressive measures through the reactivation of the role of the National Commission of Struggle against Drugs, and will gradually reduce the areas reserved to the culture of cannabis.

The new plan also provides for the intensification of controls at the borders, an awareness campaign to inform the public opinion about the risks of this plague on health and the strengthening of regional and international cooperation in matters of training and transfer of expertise. According to a survey conducted last December, cannabis cultivation in Morocco covers a 134,000 hectare area, which amounts to a raw production of 47,000 tons, corresponding to a potential hashish production of 3,080 tons.

The survey was conducted in cooperation between the Moroccan Agency for Economic and Social Development of the Northern Provinces, and the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime (UNODC). It revealed that 800,000 people work in cannabis cultivation, which represents 27% of arable lands in the surveyed territory along the mountainous chain of the Rif.

Cannabis production in Morocco raises a total revenue of 2 billion DH (214 million US$), while the total market value of Moroccan cannabis resin is estimated at US$ 12 billion, the survey showed. Presenting the results of the survey with UNODC officials in Rabat, Driss Benhima, the Moroccan Agency's executive director, explained that cannabis cultivation in Morocco is a "manageable and a controllable" phenomenon as it represents only 0.57 % of Morocco's GDP and 51% of the annual income of a cannabis producing family.

"Morocco has acted with courage and exposed the extent of domestic cannabis cultivation, but the question must be addressed blending demand and supply measures," UNODC officials said on their part. © MAP 2004 http://www.map.co.ma/mapeng/home_dep/h_dep001.htm
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Thomas Cook, Iberostar eye strategic partnership with Morocco.
Business,5/28/2004

The leisure group "Thomas Cook" and its strategic partner "Iberostar" are examining with Moroccan officials means to establish a strategic partnership with Morocco. Thomas Cook and Iberostar chiefs, respectively Walfgang Beeser and Miguel Fluxa, held Wednesday a work session with Moroccan Premier Driss Jettou and Tourism minister Adil Douiri to study opportunities offered by the Moroccan market. The meeting shed light on the Moroccan government's strategy in tourism, the liberalization of the air space as well as the reforms undertaken to encourage new operators.

Jettou highlighted the fresh move taken by the government to encourage investments under a new marketing approach. Presidents of Thomas Cook and Iberostar expressed resolve to study possibilities for a stronger involvement of their groups in the development of tourism in the north African country and the promotion of the destination Morocco in Spanish and German markets. Thomas Cook, among the internationally best known names in travel, encompasses 33 tour operators, about 3,600 travel agencies, a portfolio of 76,000 controlled hotel beds and a fleet of 80 aircraft. The two groups studied with Moroccan officials the modalities of a partnership agreement that will be signed in the upcoming months http://www.arabicnews.com/ansub/Daily/Day/040528/2004052827.html
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Morocco earmarks $297 million to rebuild quake-stricken region
AL-HOCEIMA, May 24

Moroccan prime ministrer, Driss Jettou, said here Monday that the government has earmarked a 2.6 billion Dirham (297 $million) budget for the emergency plan to rehabilitate and develop quake-hit northeastern region. The earthquake, measuring 6.5 degrees on the Richter scale, flattened entire villages killing over 600 people and injuring nearly one thousand. Speaking at a meeting, attended by several officials, on the emergency program, which "was approved by HM king Mohammed VI", Jettou said the budget comprises important funds allocated by the government, private contributions to a bank account opened at Bank Al-Maghrib in the wake of the disaster and aid brought by brotherly and friendly countries. Donations to account 101 totalled 238.4 million Dirhams (over $24 million), according to governor of Morocco's central bank, Abdellatif Jouahri. "The number of contributors has exceeded one million. The funds have not been spent yet and the government will define allocation modalities, mainly in the framework of the emergency plan for Al Hoceima reconstruction,"
Jouahri had said last week. © MAP 2004
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Spanish government approves 650,000 Euro aid for Al-Hoceima quake victims.
MADRID, May 24

The Spanish ministers council has approved an emergency aid of 650,000 Euro for the victims of the earthquake that hit the northern Moroccan region of Al-Hoceima last February 24, a Spanish governmental source said. The aid will be destined to funding equipment and medicines for the victims of the quake that claimed the lives of 629 people and left hundreds of others injured. The amount will also help finance Spanish teams and experts in crisis situations who will be staying in the region. A solidarity campaign was launched in Morocco to raise donations for the earthquake victims. Over 238 million DH (over US $24 million) were collected at a special bank acount at Bank Al-Maghrib. The amount does not include donations by foreign countries. © MAP 2004 http://www.map.co.ma/mapeng/eng.htm
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Campaign to promote Morocco's bid for 2010 has cost US $17 Mn, official
Casablanca, May 25

The campaign to promote Morocco's bid for the 2010 World Cup has cost nearly US $17 million, that is a US $2.5 million increase in comparison with the previous bid for the 2006 World Cup, revealed, here Monday, Morocco's bid chief, Saad Kettani. He told a press conference that nearly US $2.2 million were dedicated to friendly meetings to promote the bid, and nearly 3.8 million were funded by sponsors. By way of comparison, sponsors financed US $35 million of the candidacy of South Africa which won the bid, that is the double of the overall budget for Morocco's bid, he noted. Kettani said this candidacy showed that Morocco is capable of hosting major events, and that the country has adequate infrastructures and offers good conditions for investments. He concluded by saying that it is important to continue on the same pace of strategic development. © MAP 2004 http://www.map.co.ma/mapeng/home_dep/h_dep_spain2.htm
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Marrakech hotel obtains International tourism federation's top award.
Local, 5/25/2004

The international tourism federation has extended its top award "the Golden laurel" to a hotel in Marrakech, central Morocco. This international distinction rewards the hotel for its great and refined services and for the hotel executives' efforts to promote the Moroccan tourism abroad. Chairman of the Paris-based federation said Morocco's rich tourism attractions are likely to draw foreign investors, stressing that ongoing efforts will surely help the kingdom fulfill its 10-million tourists a year by 2010.
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