Virtual Magazine of Morocco on the Web
Morocco Week in Review 
October 9 2004

Casablanca-based American Women Club donated $40,000 to 20 charity associations
Rabies a "public health problem" in Morocco, expert warns
Significant slash in Morocco's children mortality
Japan donates nearly $193,000 for rural roads development in Morocco
Moroccan economy tops minister's talks in Washington with IMF, WB
Nearly 700 sheep suffer from catarrhal fever
U.S. will continue to back reforms in Morocco, official
Morocco, an open country where women hold important status (Premier)
WAN combats low readership in Morocco
Morocco's citrus fruit production to rise by 13% in 2004-05r
HRH Princess Lalla Salma, Queen Paola visit "Solidarité Féminine" association
Zoellick lauds Morocco's initiatives benefiting women, workers, investors
Cabinet examines Morocco-U.S. FTA
Moroccan-German conference on renewable energy opens in Casablanca

Casablanca-based American Women Club donated $40,000 to 20 charity associations
Casablanca, Oct 7

American Women Club of Casablanca donated on Thursday 400,000 Dhs (about $40,000) to 20 charity associations and social centers in Morocco. The annual donation is part of the activities of the club that brings together some 150 English-speaking women of various nationalities. Incepted in 1962 by Mrs Jean Tomlison, spouse of the then American General Consul in Casablanca, the club also contributes to other development projects in Morocco, including reforestation. The Casablanca American association, member since 1978 of the International federation of American Women Clubs abroad, also helps schools of sight and hearing impaired children, orphanages and women associations.
http://www.map.co.ma/mapeng/eng.htm 
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Rabies a "public health problem" in Morocco, expert warns
Rabat, Oct. 07

Rabies is a "public health problem in Morocco" that is likely to have "negative repercussions on the economic and social sectors,"
warned director of Institut Pasteur in Morocco, Pr. Mohamed Hassar, in an article published Thursday by "Aujourd'hui le Maroc" daily.

"It is inadmissible and shameful that a person dies of rabies nowadays," he said. Hassar noted that Morocco "currently accounts for 400 to 450 rabid animal and 20 to 30 rabid humans."

The Moroccan expert blamed this situation on stray dogs and warned of "field rats, cats and donkeys that may also carry the disease."

Hassar called for an "awareness campaigns" on the dangers of stray dogs, saying important efforts were made to make anti-rabies treatment free of charge and more accessible.
http://www.map.co.ma/mapeng/news/general/gen-fires.htm 
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Significant slash in Morocco's children mortality
(UNICEF) RABAT, Oct.08

Morocco is one of the rare countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region to have cut infantile mortality from 85 to 43 out of 1,000 births between 1990 and 2000, said the UN Fund for Children UNICEF in a survey.

New country-by-country data reveals alarmingly slow progress on reducing child deaths despite the availability of proven, low-cost interventions, the UNICEF document.

UNICEF said that while 90 countries are on track to meet the target of reducing child deaths by two-thirds by 2015, 91 countries are considerably off track and globally the pace of progress is far too slow.

Child mortality refers to the number of children who die before their fifth birthday, and is measured per 1,000 live births. For example, in 2002, the most recent year for which comprehensive data is available, industrialized countries had an average child mortality rate of 7 deaths per 1,000 live births. The least developed countries had a rate of 158 deaths per 1,000 births. UNICEF considers child mortality rates the basic measure of a country's advancement.

At the current rate of progress the average under-five death rate will have dropped by roughly one-quarter by 2015, far below the two-thirds reduction agreed to by world leaders.

"A child's right to survive is the first measure of equality, possibility, and freedom," said UNICEF Executive Director Carol Bellamy while launching Progress for Children in New York. "It is incredible that in an age of technological and medical marvels, child survival is so tenuous in so many places, especially for the poor and marginalized. We can do better than this."

Progress for Children ranks countries on their average annual rate of progress since 1990, which is the baseline year for the global goal of reducing child mortality by two-thirds by 2015 - a goal agreed to by all governments as part of the UN's Millennium Development Goals.
http://www.map.co.ma/mapeng/news/general/gen_0019.htm 
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Japan donates nearly $193,000 for rural roads development in Morocco
Rabat, Oct. 05

The Japanese government has decided to donate nearly 193.827 US dollars to NGOs operating in rural roads development in Morocco.

The donation is also aimed at improving roads and living conditions in rural areas and open up enclosed regions. Japan's ambassador to Morocco, Seigi Hinata, who signed the convention on the donation, said his country grants a particular interest to Morocco's development.

He hailed the civil society's participation in the development process, saying this was among the focal points underlined by participants in the international conference on Africa's Development held in Tokyo in 2003.
Since 1989, he said, 242 projects were financed in Morocco thanks to the aid granted by the Japanese government that reached US $9.7 million.
http://www.map.co.ma/mapeng/news/economy/eco_003.htm 
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Moroccan economy tops minister's talks in Washington with IMF, WB
WASHINGTON, Oct.04

The situation and evolution prospects of Moroccan economy topped the talks here of Moroccan minister of finance and privatization, Fathallah Oualalou, with executives of the International Monetary Fund and of the World Bank Group, on the sidelines of the two institutions' general assemblies.

Oualalou gave the IMF an overview on results of the Moroccan economy in 2003 and 2004, and its prospects of evolution for 2005. He also highlighted its performance in matters of growth, its control over budget deficit and inflation, foreign trade and foreign direct investments. The minister also surveyed the reforms launched by the government to accompany the economic and social policy, to secure strong and sustainable growth.

IMF executives, on their part, called authorities to focus on the wage bill and oil prices, two elements which, they said, deserve particular attention.
They also voiced readiness to go on supporting Morocco with advice and technical assistance in fields of priority, as set by the Moroccan government.

During the meeting with Christian Poortman, the World Bank vice-president for the Middle East North Africa (MENA) region, Oualalou recalled Morocco's reforms and restructuring projects, launched by the Kingdom in economic and social fields, especially in finance, public administration, housing and agriculture.

Oualalou also signed with the WB vice-president a 'Master Derivative Agreement (MDA)" of the Type ISDA (International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc.), on the use of tools of financial risks coverage.
http://www.map.co.ma/mapeng/home_dep/spor3005.htm 
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Nearly 700 sheep suffer from catarrhal fever
RABAT, Oct.05

Some 691 sheep are suffering from catarrhal fever, also known as Blue Tongue, in eight Moroccan provinces, with a mortality rate of 1.3%, the department of agriculture, rural development and fisheries said Tuesday.

"Most cases are not serious, and are moving to recovery," the release said, adding that laboratory research is underway in Morocco and abroad to identify the virus rapidly."

In parallel, health measures are being taken to circumcise the ailment, mainly by fighting the insects that carry it around, banning trade of affected livestock and reinforcing the epidemiological control nationwide, the department added.

Moreover, according to the same source, an awareness campaign was launched by specialists and the National Committee of Vigilance is following the situation closely at the regional and national levels.
http://www.map.co.ma/mapeng/eng.htm 
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U.S. will continue to back reforms in Morocco, official
RABAT, Oct.05

U.S. Near Eastern affairs deputy assistant, Scott Carpenter, said Monday the United States will continue to support the reforms instituted in Morocco, describing them as "very important."

This came at a meeting, in the Moroccan capital, with speaker of the Moroccan House of Representatives (parliament lower chamber), Abdelouahed Radi. Carpenter voiced satisfaction that Morocco will host the Forum of the Future next December, with the participation of G8 and MENA foreign and finance ministers. He also stressed the role of parliaments in democratic reforms.

His visit, he said, enabled him to have an idea on Morocco's development and aspirations. On his part, Radi briefed the U.S. secretary of state on political and institutional reforms instituted in the country during the five last years, and its efforts to consolidate the Rule of Law.
http://www.map.co.ma/mapeng/eng.htm 
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Morocco, an open country where women hold important status (Premier)
BRUSSELS, Oct.07

"Morocco is an open country where women hold an important status, and we will give them an even greater one," Moroccan Prime Minister, Driss Jettou, told Belgian media covering the visit of King Albert II of the Belgians and Queen Paola in the Kingdom.

This came following the meeting in Fez Tuesday between the Belgian monarch and the Moroccan premier. King Albert II has noted Morocco's will to establish democracy on sound bases, the daily 'Le Soir' quoted Jettou as saying.

The meeting, the Moroccan official said, was an opportunity to raise a number of in-depth issues, as States enjoying privileged relations do, reports the daily 'La Libre Belgique'. The paper said the minister focused on human rights, equality between men and women and the upgrading of Moroccan economy, so the North African country become an outstanding partner in the free trade zone with the European Union by 2010.

"Our industry must become more competitive, and we will be counting on Belgium, with which we already have numerous links in the field, besides new interesting realms such as tourism," he said. King Albert II had started his official visit in Fez Tuesday. After Rabat and Casablanca, where he attended the closing ceremony of the Moroccan-Belgian social-economic forum, the royal couple are currently on a visit in the Southern region of Ouarzazate.
http://www.map.co.ma/mapeng/home_dep/h_dep217.htm 
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WAN combats low readership in Morocco
Oct 08, 2004

The World Association of Newspapers (WAN) recently wrapped up a seminar for Moroccan editors on ways to attract newspaper readers in the country. WAN organized the program in collaboration with the Federation of Moroccan Newspaper Publishers and the Center for Media Freedom in the Middle East and North Africa to combat low readership levels in the North African country.
Participants, including both commercial and editorial media managers, hope to increase both circulation and advertising revenue. During the seminar, they created a readership questionnaire, and discussed plans for a pilot "Press Week" to promote the use of newspapers in Moroccan schools. They also designed future training projects for the Moroccan press on internal and external communication, advertising sales, newspaper design, copy editing and reporting on social issues. The seminar was organized in response to an April 2004 roundtable among Moroccan newspaper directors who assessed the main problems facing the press. Among the training needs they listed were personnel management, financial management, commercial policies, marketing, technology management and editorial management.
http://www.ijnet.org/FE_Article/newsarticle.asp?UILang=1&CId=249479&CIdLang=1 
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Morocco's citrus fruit production to rise by 13% in 2004-05r
RABAT, Oct.08

Morocco's citrus fruit production for the 2004-2005 season is due to reach 1,286,000 tons, against 1,137,000 in 2003-2004, i.e. a 13% rise, said Thursday the citrus fruit producers association (ASPAM).

According to ASPAM, quality will also be satisfactory despite the delay in maturity.

The association concedes that 2004-05 production is still tributary of weather conditions for the weeks to come, deeming that milder temperatures and early rainfalls can improve significantly the produce caliber.

Some 521,000 tons of citrus fruits are due to be exported, against 437,000 T in 2003-04, i.e. a 19% rise, the same source said.
http://www.map.co.ma/mapeng/home_dep/h_dep092.htm 
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HRH Princess Lalla Salma, Queen Paola visit "Solidarité Féminine" association
Casablanca, Oct. 07

HRH Princess Lalla Salma, spouse of HM king Mohammed VI, and HM Queen Paola of the Belgians visited Wednesday "Solidarité Féminine" association where they were informed about its activities benefiting to single mothers and their children.

The royal spouses chaired afterwards the inauguration of a fitness center established by a royal donation, and with the support of the charity Foundation Mohammed V for Solidarity. Queen Paola arrived Tuesday in Morocco, accompanying HM king Albert II in an official visit to Morocco. The Belgian monarch attended Wednesday the closing ceremony of the Moroccan-Belgian social-economic forum and visited "Belgica 2004" exposition held in Casablanca.

The Belgian federation for enterprises (FEB) and the confederation of enterprises in Morocco (CGEM) signed on this occasion a protocol on the creation of a Moroccan-Belgian committee of heads of enterprises. The new non-governmental body is designed to reinforce cooperation between the two kingdoms in economic fields.
http://www.map.co.ma/mapeng/eng.htm 
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Zoellick lauds Morocco's initiatives benefiting women, workers, investors
Washington, Oct.08

US trade representative, Robert Zoellick, lauded, here Thursday, the political and economic reforms instituted by Morocco, and the Kingdom's initiatives in favour of women, workers and investors.

Speaking at the launch ceremony of the coalition of support to the US-Middle East Free Trade zone, Zoellick cited Morocco at the top of moderate, tolerant Arab countries.

The reformist and tolerant vision of Morocco, Jordan and Bahrain was concretised by the holding of free parliamentary elections, the privatisation of public enterprises, the encouragement of foreign investments, and oriented towards the protection of women and workers'
rights, said the U.S. official.

Morocco and Bahrain are integrating the free trade agreements signed recently with the United States in their development processes, he went on, stressing the benefits Jordan drew from the FTA with his country.

The free trade cascade will expand progressively to include reform-committed countries, he said, recalling U.S. measures to enhance trade with Arab countries.

The coalition, launched by President George W. Bush in June 2003, is meant to support the creation a free trade agreement with the Middle East (MEFTA) by 2013.

Morocco and the United States, signed the free trade agreement in June 2004.
It was first announced during a visit of king Mohammed VI to Washington in April 2002.
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Cabinet examines Morocco-U.S. FTA
RABAT, Oct 7

The Free Trade Agreement (FTA) signed, June 15, between Morocco and the United States, was examined, here Thursday, by the Moroccan Government at the weekly cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Driss Jettou.

The agreement will next be examined by the Ministers' Council chaired by HM King Mohammed VI before being submitted to the two chambers of Parliament for approval.

The accord was signed in August by American President George W. Bush, and was approved in July by the U.S. congress and House of Representatives.

White House spokesman Scott McClellan said at the time that this accord would "help create jobs and new opportunities for Americans by deepening our trade ties with an important friend in the Arab world".

"Morocco's leadership has been steadfast in its support for economic and political liberalization", he said adding that the FTA would promote "an ever-widening circle of free trade that will help integrate the Middle East region into the global trading system."

On his part, President Bush had said the agreement would "enhance our bilateral relationship with a longstanding partner in the North Africa and Middle East region". He also highlighted Morocco's official support to "a reformist and tolerant vision that includes free parliamentary elections, the sale of state-owned businesses, the encouragement of foreign investment that can be connected to broad-based development, and better protection of the rights of women and workers".

The Morocco-U.S. FTA is the first agreement of the kind ever concluded by the USA with an African country and the second one with an Arab country, after Jordan.

HM King Mohammed VI and President Bush agreed to negotiate a Free Trade Agreement in April 2002 during a visit of the Moroccan sovereign to Washington.

The U.S.-Morocco FTA will immediately eliminate tariffs on more than 95 percent of bilateral trade in consumer and industrial products. All remaining tariffs on these goods are to be eliminated within nine years - the best market access package of any U.S. free trade agreement with a developing country signed to date. The agreement also significantly reduces barriers to agricultural products and services.

According to official figures, in 2003, U.S. domestic merchandise exports to Morocco were valued at $462 million, while U.S. imports for consumption from Morocco were estimated at $396 million. The U.S. recorded a $66 million surplus with Morocco in 2003, as Morocco ranked as the 69th largest market for U.S. exports and the 82nd larger supplier of imports.
http://www.map.co.ma/mapeng/eng.htm 
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Moroccan-German conference on renewable energy opens in Casablanca
Casablanca, Oct. 07

The first Moroccan-German conference on "renewable energy: markets, partnership, investments and regional prospects" kicked off Thursday in the Moroccan city of Casablanca. The opening ceremony was attended by Moroccan Energy and Mining Minister, Mohamed Boutaleb, German ambassador to Morocco, Roland Mauch, in addition to officials of the two countries and several operators in energy and environment sectors. The three-day gathering will debate energy and environment strategies, technological evolution, markets development, German experiences and prospects in Africa. The conference is organized by The German Agency for Renewable Energy (DENA) and the Moroccan Energy and Mining Ministry in collaboration with the Environment ministry.
http://www.map.co.ma/mapeng/home_dep/h_torture.htm

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