Virtual Magazine of Morocco on the Web  
Morocco Week in Review  
June 26 2005

Drought brings recession to Morocco. 
News 21 June 2005 

A crippling drought that is affecting Morocco, Spain and Portugal is the main factor behind an economic recession beginning to get noted in Morocco. The government has already downscaled its growth forecast for this year, while experts warn the crisis could go on for several years. High oil prices and declining textile exports also take their toll. Morocco and the Iberian Peninsula is currently hit by the region's worst drought in six decades. The semi-arid region had already been using more water than it produces, due to its tourism industry and general economic expansion. The current drought threatens both the agricultural sector and further economic expansion at large. The Moroccan economy is gravest hit, given the population's dependence on agriculture. More than 40 percent of the population lives in rural areas and is directly or indirectly depending on the agricultural sector. The droughts expected to affect rural economies for years to come. Moroccan authorities therefore already have warned of an expected exodus from rural areas into the Kingdom's already crowded cities. The government has already noted the negative impact of this drought on the national economy. Authorities now reduce the expected economic growth rate from 3.5 to 1.3 percent for 2005. Such a downscaling may even be repeated later this year, when the consequences of the drought become clearer. The drought is however not the only reason for the registered economic recession in Morocco. The Kingdom - which entered the year optimistically due to a new free trade deal with the US - is also facing problems due to record oil prices, which are closing into US$ 60 a barrel. Experts foresee oil prices between US$ 50 and 65 for the next five years, which will increase production prices in the non-oil producing country. At the same time, Morocco's most important industrial sector, the textile industry, is facing big problems since the world textile trade was liberalized in 1 January. Morocco's textile industry now pays the price for not having modernized sufficiently during the last decade. While competitors such as Tunisia have been able to increase exports, Morocco has noted a 16 percent decrease in its exports of textile products to the European Union (EU) so far this year. The dilemma faced by Moroccan authorities is that the economic sector with the greatest growth potential - tourism - also is the sector most dependent on the country's scarce water resources. So far this year, Morocco has noted a 25 percent increase in ordered charter travels to the country. Tourism infrastructure is constantly being expanded, but the environmental costs may be great. The environmental effect of the ongoing drought in any case already is visible to Moroccans and visitors. Only during the last weeks, some 1,200 hectares of forests have been destroyed by wild fires in the country. Officials at the Water and Forest Department today attributed the large growth in number of fires - double from last year - to the drought. By staff writer © afrol News http://www.afrol.com/articles/16617  -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

Over 1,000 HA of forests burnt in Morocco in two months, official. 
Tangiers, June 20 

Some 1,200 Ha of forests were burnt in Morocco between May and June, including 750 Ha this past weekend in Larache, Kenitra and Tangiers (North), Commissioner of the Water and Forest department, Abdeladim Lhafi revealed here Monday. Lhafi said the ravaged area is double that was consumed during the same period of last year, ascribing the rise in burnt forests to drought and other causes, including human triggered fires due to honey gathering or forest burning for agriculture use. Fire-fighters used Royal armed forces and Canadairs Hercules and Truch planes in hard-to-access mountain spots to stop the advance of fire, while 600 strong teams fought the flames on flat land. Local authorities said some people were evacuated as a prevention measure, road and high voltage electric lines were also protected and traffic was stopped for a brief while between Lyamani and Sahel. Tangiers authorities said the fire in "la forêt diplomatique" was under control on Sunday a day after it broke out. 500 agents of various security forces of this Northern town, as well as those of neighboring Tetuan, Larache and Asilah, took part in the fight against fire. http://www.map.ma/eng/sections/box1/over_1000_ha_of_for3451/view  -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

Moroccan-UNICEF cooperation is of 'utmost importance', minister. 
Rabat, June 21 

Moroccan Health minister, Mohamed Cheikh Biadillah said, here Monday, Moroccan-UNICEF cooperation is of "utmost importance". At a meeting with members of the Executive Board of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), Biadillah said this cooperation covers various fields from diarhoea to prenatal medical care. The visit of UNICEF Executive Board members is part of the Fund's support to Morocco's efforts in promoting mothers' and children's health and fighting AIDS so as to meet the national commitment to achieve the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDG), said the minister. Talks also covered issues of common concern notably AIDS, infantile and maternal mortality, as 227 women per 10,000 still die in Moroccan while giving birth, the prevalence of food related deficiencies, notably iodine deficiency as it is estimated at 22pc among 6 to 12 year-old children. Ascribing the Moroccan-UNICEF relations as "very excellent", Head of the UNICEF Executive Body, Mehdi Danesh-Tazdi said the meeting looked into the progress made in the Moroccan-UNICEF cooperation, its constraints and the areas that should be explored. For her part, UNICEF Representative in Morocco, May Ayoub said the choice of the North African kingdom was spurred by the changes that the country witnesses in human, children and women rights, and by the commitments in which Morocco engaged to enhance democracy and upgrade the social sector. She noted that it is also a field visit to discover the regions where UNICEF is carrying out its activities and also support organisations operating in this field. In cooperation with UNICEF, the northern city of Tangier is carrying out a MAD 5 million (USD 555,000) programme to reduce the phenomenon of school drop-outs in this region. The three-year programme (2004-2006) aims at providing some 30 schools with drinking water, electricity and decontamination, as well as sensitising some 30,000 students to hygiene and environment. Programme promoters said the results are encouraging as school drop out decreased to 5.11%, i.e. a decrease of 1.4%. During their six-day visit, the Executive Board members are scheduled to discuss with local partners and several Moroccan officials notably Moroccan Prime minister, Driss Jettou. http://www.map.ma/eng/sections/social/moroccan-unicef_coop/view  -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

Morocco to secure 70% of drinking water supply by end 2005. 
Rabat, June 23 

Morocco will secure 70% of drinking water supply by the end of 2005, said, here Wednesday, Moroccan secretary of state in charge of water, Abdelkebir Zahoud. At a House of Representatives' question time, Zahoud said the government increased the value of investment allocated to this field in 2005 to reach MAD 1.31 billion (US$ 145 million) compared to MAD 700 million (US$ 78 million) in 2004. This investment aims at supplying 1.398 million inhabitants in rural areas with drinking water. He said the Moroccan office for potable water (ONEP) will invest MAD 5 billion (US$ 555 million) in 2006 and 2007 to secure 90% of drinking water supply by end 2007. Zahoud pointed out that his department will also carry out a MAD 6.6 billion programme to provide other 5 million rural world inhabitants with drinking water. Some 50 drilling operations, of value estimated at MAD 2.2 million, will be carried out to provide drinking water to 13,200 inhabitants in Ouarzazate and 17,800 in Zagora (southern Morocco), he pointed out. http://www.map.ma/eng/sections/economy/morocco_to_secure_70/view  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --- 

Employment : Growth insufficient against unemployment . 

Economic growth alone cannot resolve the unemployment issue, declared today in Rabat the High Commissioner of Planning, Ahmed Lahlimi Alami "Today, growth no longer seems a panacea against unemployment [...], especially in our country. In Morocco, the unemployment rate remains high despite low national statistics as these are mainly due to widespread under-employment and unpaid jobs," said Lahlimi. The High Commissioner, who launched a seminary on "economic growth and employment in modern economies," organised by the High Commission of Planning, explained that although growth rates have improved over the last few years with a yearly average of 4% between 2000 and 2004, unemployment remains high, reported MAP.He added that "this situation is due to the weakness of investments at the quantitative level and as far as efficiency is concerned." Lahlimi also explained that, in this situation, "foreign investment is highly demanded throughout the word, which makes it volatile. It must therefore be sought after and [...] be provided an attractive and stable macroeconomic policy and judicious support." The High commissioner also insisted that the social economy, the promotion of small and middle sized companies and the valorisation of traditional know-how can support growth and help create jobs.The average unemployment rate in Morocco reached 11.3% this year, with the highest figures being registered in urban areas: 19.2%, against only 3.3% in rural areas. http://www.moroccotimes.com/paper/article.asp?idr=11&id=7513  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --- 

About MAD 140 million earmarked to help sheep-farmers cope with dry weather effects. 
Rabat, June 23 

The agriculture ministry is spending MAD 70 million, around 700.000 euros, to pay for the transportation of two million quintals of barley to help sheep-farmers cope with the current poor agricultural season.At a question period at the House of Representatives, rural development secretary of State, Mohamed Mohattane said the shipment in a first phase of one million quintals of barley started the past January to provide animal feed to 31 provinces. He said the agriculture ministry took a number of measures to protect sheep and cattle in bad weather hard-hit regions, including the elimination of barley customs duties from May to December 2005, adding the measure could be kept on beyond December. Mohattane also said MAD 20 million were earmarked to equip watering points along grazing courses, while another MAD 20 million went for buying plant seeds to grow fodder. Veterinary campaigns are destined to rid some 5 million sheep of parasites and other bugs and immunise them against possible diseases, said Mohattane adding the MAD 30 million campaigns are scheduled as of June 30. http://www.map.ma/eng/sections/social/about_mad_140_millio/view  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --- 

ADB Grants $85m Loan to Reduce air Pollution in Morocco.
23/06/2005 

On Wednesday (23 June), the private sector of the African Development Bank (ADB) approved an $85m loan to support environmental upgrading of Société Anonyme Marocaine de l'Industrie du Raffinage (SAMIR) facilities in Morocco. The upgrading will greatly reduce sulphur oxide emissions. SAMIR provides over 90 per cent of refined petroleum needs to the Moroccan market. The new project is the first time the ADB private sector arm is directly supporting environmental efforts to reduce air pollution. http://www.magharebia.com/cocoon/awi/xhtml1/en_GB/homepage/  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --- 

Moroccan Couscous Maker Wins Canadian Government Award.
19/06/2005 

A Moroccan couscous manufacturer in Canada was recently awarded the "Bio-Food Export Excellence Prize" from the Canadian Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry for its entrepreneurship and dynamism. Les Produits Zinda Canada President Abdelmajid Jamaleddine received the award on behalf of the company. Created in 2000, the company exports couscous to countries in the Americas, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and Morocco. http://www.magharebia.com/cocoon/awi/xhtml1/en_GB/homepage/#blockNewsArtsculture  ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

Morocco set to boost e-government. 
Economics, 6/23/2005 

Morocco is set to boost e-government which has become a "strategic objective for the economic and social development of the country, according to Prime Minister Driss Jettou.Morocco cannot stay on the fringes of the universal digital society because it would affect its competitiveness and development efforts, said Jettou at the opening of the annual national forum of e-administration "e-forum 2005." E-government in Morocco is no longer an offer of information online, but also an offer of services online, the Prime Minister pointed out.Jettou said the government works for accelerating the integration new information technologies in economy, education and society.He recalled the action plan drawn up by the e-government committee for 2005-2008 under which MAD 1.5 billion (around USD 166 million) were allocated to provide over 200 services online in relation to the public sector.Jettou also underlined the importance to promote citizens' use of information technologies, noting that the government has approved a program aiming to establish 8500 multimedia rooms in schools in three years as of 2005, for a global budget of MAD 1 billion (around USD 111 million).The two-day forum is an opportunity to exchange experiences with international experts on e-administration. http://www.arabicnews.com/ansub/Daily/Day/050623/2005062335.html  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --- 

American Navy humanitarian assistance to Moroccans. 
Jun 23, 2005 (Al-Bawaba via COMTEX)

The ambassador of the United States to Morocco, Thomas T Riley on Monday afternoon paid a visit to a number of units of the American Coast Guard in Agadir, which are currently working in with "Oum El Banine" Association to assist abandoned children and women in distress. EMarrakech reports that this initiative is part of the American Navy humanitarian assistance program. The units currently operating in Agadir, part of the "United States Coast Guard Cutter Bear", are actually responsible to fight drug trafficking, illegal immigration and to protect the Moroccan maritime borders. (C) 2005 Al Bawaba http://www.zawya.com/Story.cfm?storyid=174w8274&section=Countries&page=Morocco&channel=All%20Morocco%20News&objectid=22403786-8F1A-11D4-867000D0B74A0D7C  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --- 

"Islamic Education Downgrading" Stirs Furor in Morocco. 
By Al-Amin Andalusi, & Mariam AL-Tigy, IOL Correspondents RABAT, June 24, 2005 (IslamOnline.net) 

Calls by Moroccan education officials to downgrade or remove the Islamic studies subjects from high school curricula have sparked furor in the North African country, with Moroccan dignitaries believing the calls are a sign of caving in to foreign pressures to "modify" the education curricula in the Muslim world. The Moroccan education ministry has called for abolishing the Islamic studies subjects from the science section of high school syllabus and limiting the teaching of the Islamic studies subjects in the literary studies' section. The ministry officials also pressed for removing any references to "jihad" in the Islamic subjects. "The malicious calls to remove the Islamic studies subjects would not be welcomed in the Moroccan education process," Khalid Al-Samadei, head of the Islamic studies department, has said. Samadie, who is also chairman of the Moroccan center for the pedagogical studies and research, stressed that these calls would not gain ground in the Moroccan society that sticks to the Islamic teachings and respects all aspects of openness and co-existence. "What is happening is the result of the media misconception on Islam and defamation of the Islamic tenets, propagated by different parties that work to fulfill their malicious schemes by fueling such a misconception," he told the Attajdid daily Web site. Strict Reviewing Abdul Kareem Al-Howeshri, chairman of the Moroccan committee for Islamic subject teachers, echoed a similar stance. "Over the past few years, all lessons related to jihad have been silently taken out from the Islamic studies subjects," said Howeshri, who is an MP for the justice and development party. "The Moroccan education process has been under a strict reviewing process, not mainly targeting to remove issues related to jihad, but to limit the teaching of the Islamic studies subjects in general in order to avoid drawing popular outrage." Howeshri accused groups calling for equality between male and female of championing the calls to abolish the Islamic studies subjects from the Moroccan education. "A committee was set up to review the school textbooks and remove whatever runs counter to the concept of gender equality." "The committee has even declined to include lessons on hijab under claims that such lessons are a sort of dress discrimination between the two sexes." In parallel, new lessons promoting the concepts of tolerance, peace and acceptance of the other have been added into the Islamic studies subjects, he added. "White Book" Abdul Salam Al-Ahmar, member of the Moroccan committee for the Islamic subject teachers, agreed. "Such calls are a violation of the national education charter and the "White Book" stipulating an education that helps build an independent charter for the Moroccan students based on full knowledge of their religion, heritage and history." A reviewing of the education curricula and textbooks in Morocco was launched in 2000, which resulted in what is known as the "White Book". Al-Ahmar urged "a respect and best use of the terms of the "White Book" on which the state has spent much money and effort. Question Last week, Justice and Development Party submitted an interpellation to parliament, interrogating the education minister on the issue. Lawmaker Howeshri said such efforts to limit or remove the teaching of the Islamic studies subject run counter to King Mohamed VI's instructions on giving priority to the Islamic studies to help protect Moroccans against extremism. The Moroccan minister, however, declined to give a clear-cut answer on the issue, describing the Islamic studies subjects as playing the lead role in enhancing the identity of the Moroccan people. Opponents of moves to remove or limit the teaching of the Islamic studies subjects have been stepping up their opposition to prevent any such decisions from seeing light, according to IslamOnline.net Correspondent. The ongoing controversy comes a year after Moroccan King Mohamed VI called for developing the Islamic studies curricula to protect the Moroccan youth against extremism. http://www.islam-online.net/English/News/2005-06/24/article01.shtml  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --- 

EIB Extends Loan to Finance Road Projects in Morocco.
19/06/2005 

The European Investment Bank (EIB) extended two loans totaling 130m euros on Friday (17 June) to finance motorway and rural roads projects in Morocco. The agreement, which was signed by Moroccan Minister of Transport Karim Ghellab and EIB President Philippe Maystadt, provides for a 70m-euro loan for financing Part B of the Settat-Marrakech motorway, as well as a 60m-euro loan for implementation of Part A of the second national rural road programme. http://www.magharebia.com/cocoon/awi/xhtml1/en_GB/homepage/#blockNewsArtsculture  ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

A new take of 'The Hills Have Eyes' to be shot soon in Morocco. 
Rabat, June 20 

The shooting of 'The Hills Have Eyes' will begin June 27 in Morocco. The new take on Wes Craven's 1977 film of the same name will be directed by award-winning French filmmaker Alexandre Aja from a screenplay he penned with Gregory Levasseur, Fox Searchlight Pictures said recently. The film will be produced by Craven, Peter Locke, who produced the original "The Hills Have Eyes", and long-time Craven producing partner Marianne Maddalena, who produced Craven's blockbuster "Scream" series amongst many others. The film's cast will be led by Aaron Stanford, Ted Levine, Oscar and Golden Globe nominee Kathleen Quinlan, Vinessa Shaw, Emilie de Ravin, Dan Byrd and Robert Joy. A family road trip goes terrifyingly awry when the travelers become stranded in a government atomic zone. Miles from nowhere, the Carters soon realize the seemingly uninhabited wasteland is actually the breeding ground of a blood-thirsty mutant family...and they are the prey. When Wes Craven's original The Hills Have Eyes was released in 1977, it quickly became a cult classic. The film is considered to be one of the finest to date in Craven's 40-year career, which also includes such blockbuster hits as the "Scream" series and "A Nightmare on Elm Street". The Hills Have Eyes will be shot by Director of Photography Maxime Alexandre, who previously collaborated with Aja on Haute Tension, and whose credits also include The Last Drop and The Defender. It was designed by Production Designer Joseph Nemec, who counts among his many action feature credits Twister and Patriot Games. Lawrence Grey, Vice President of Production for Fox Searchlight, and Creative Executive Jeffrey Arkus will oversee the project for Searchlight. http://www.map.ma/eng/sections/box3/a_new_take_of__the_h2060/view  ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

Scorching drought takes toll in Iberia, Morocco. 
Mon Jun 20, 2005 By Emma Ross-Thomas and Ian Simpson MADRID/LISBON (Reuters) 

Severe droughts in Spain, Portugal and Morocco are sparking forest fires, threatening livelihoods and risk wreaking economic havoc, officials in the region say. The worst droughts in Spain and Portugal since the 1940s may fuel inflation and dent economic growth while in Morocco conditions are so bad the government fears an exodus from rural areas will raise urban unemployment. "It's a catastrophic year," said Carlos Duran, who owns farms in Spain and Portugal. "We've never seen a drought like it." All three countries' grain crops have been halved or worse. Spanish farmers expect huge economic losses and even beekeepers are affected by a lack of flowers to fee their hives. Portuguese farmers say the price of hay has doubled. Forest fires have ravaged Spain and Portugal -- where official data show 68 percent of the country is in severe or extreme drought. "There could be more fires (than usual)," a Spanish Environment Ministry spokeswoman said. "The fires started earlier this year." Spain has had 51 percent more fires so far this year than for the same period a year ago while in Portugal the number of fires is more than twice the average of the previous five-year period. That includes 2003, when about 10 percent of Portugal's forests burned in a devastating heat wave. Water tankers are supplying 16 Portuguese towns, Portugal's Water Institute said, while utility Iberdrola, one of Spain's biggest companies, has seen its hydraulic energy production cut 57 percent in the first quarter. MOROCCO GROWTH SLASHED Drought coupled with high oil prices have led Morocco to slash its growth forecast for this year to 1.3 percent from a previous 3.5 percent. In Spain, where water reserves stand at just 57 percent of capacity, the situation is not as drastic but Secretary of State for the economy David Vegara said last week there was a risk the drought would send prices higher. In Portugal the pulp and paper industry could be at risk from forest fires. The Spanish and Moroccan governments are spending millions to help farmers. Spain is offering 750 million euros in subsidised loans while Morocco is channelling about $350 million, including debt relief and credit lines. Spain asked the European Commission in a letter seen by Reuters to bring in up to 8 million tonnes of grain from EU stores containing surplus grain from other EU countries. They expect to get the green light to bring in an initial 500,000 tonnes this week, a senior Agriculture Ministry source has said. Such transfers are controversial as they often include transport subsidies and because they reduce the amount of grain traditional suppliers can sell. Moroccan experts believe this drought is the start of a new cycle which could hit the next two crop years. Spanish meteorological expert Antonio Mestre says it too early to tell but heavy rain would be needed in September to compensate for this year. Mestre said: "At other times Spain has had drought cycles. From 1991 to 1995, four consecutive years of drought, five in some places." http://today.reuters.co.uk/news/newsarticle.aspx?type=worldNews&storyid=2005-06-20T150631Z_01_SPI048653_RTRUKOC_0_WEATHER-DROUGHT.xml  ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

Morocco envoy's painter wife celebrates 'woman' in book.
Tuesday, June 21, 05

Nouria Alj Hakim, wife of Moroccan Ambassador Jaafar Alj Hakim, has come out with a coffee table book of all her paintings focusing on women in not only her homeland but also in Korea. What's different about the book compared to similar publications of the genre is that every painting is accompanied with a description, explaining her inspiration and reflections for her works. "The woman is in the center of my work. She emerges from my subconsciousness. Every painting is an adventure which provides me with immense emotions: 'The Guedra,' 'Seungmoo Dance,' almost everything brings me back to women," Hakim says in the introduction of her book. "Empreintes de Cultures" is a collection of her paintings that were on display at Gallery La Mer in Insa-dong in May. All of the proceeds from sales of those paintings were used to start a goodwill organization in Morocco along the lines of the Beautiful Store in Anguk-dong, Seoul. Written mostly in French, Hakim's book has two sections in English: the preface written by Kim Sung-joo, president and CEO of the Sung Joo Design Tech and Distribution Inc., and her own introduction. Like her art show - "Stamps of Cultures, From Casablanca to Seoul" - the book depicts the life of Moroccan and Asian women in different aspects of their lives. Part art, part reflection, she delves into her philosophies concerning different subjects such as globalization, communication and maturity. Hakim and her husband are working to translate the book into Korean and English. The French version will be available at Kyobo book store in coming months but anyone wanting to buy a copy before then can contact Hakim at 792-0534. All proceeds from the book will go to the same charity in Morocco.(yoav@heraldm.com) By Yoav Cerralbo http://www.koreaherald.co.kr/SITE/data/html_dir/2005/06/22/200506220016.asp  -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

Conference, Cultural Tourism Booming in Morocco. 
By Al-Amin Andalusi, IOL Correspondent RABAT, June 21, 2005 (IslamOnline.net) 

Seeking to give a momentum to its strategic tourism industry, Morocco has been according major attention to luring regional and international conferences as well as cultural events and festivals. Contributing to that drive, hotels mushrooming across the North African country are keen to provide locations equipped with state-of-the-art facilities to host such events. This is no longer the privilege of luxurious hotels after even three-star hotels developed the same business mentality with special offers to lure conference organizers. They even contract translation centers across the kingdom to provide simultaneous interpreters for the conferees. Conference tourism, which is growing strongly worldwide, is one of Morocco's most dynamic sectors. It is particularly important for the high per capita expenditure of participants, considerably higher than that in the hotel industry overall. According to estimates of the Tourism Ministry, some five million tourists visited Morocco in 2004, 18% higher than in 2003 which witnessed a tourism recession after least 39 people were killed in bomb attacks that rocked Casablanca. The Moroccan government hopes to attract as many as 10 million tourists a year by 2010. Cultural Tourism Moroccan cities have also played host to a plethora of artistic and cultural galas, some controversial, to lure more foreign tourists. In 2004 the northern city of Fez hosted a musical festival in an earnest effort to enhance the tourist flow in the city, particularly from neighboring Spain. "The Fez festival saw a strong showing by Spanish bands," Mohamed Al-Qabaj, advisor to King Muhammad VI and the festival chairman, told IslamOnline.net. "It mainly aimed at attracting more Spanish tourists as Spain ranks third after France and Germany in terms of incoming tourists." Some festivals, however, triggered heated controversy in the North African Arab country. The northern city of Marrakech, the kingdom's cultural capital, hosted in May a music festival on Christian rock music organized in tandem with the American NGO Friendship Caravan. The gala drew protests from Islamic and church circles in the country, charging that it was a ruse by the American Evangelical Church, which has strong ties with the Friendship Caravan, to get a foothold in Morocco. Undersea Tunnel In another related development, the Moroccan government is seeking funding to a 14km-long undersea tunnel between the country and Europe via Gibraltar. The idea was tabled 20 years ago by late King Al-Hasan II during a visit to Spain for talks with King Juan Carlos. According to Spanish media, the tunnel would help bring in millions of tourists from across Europe to the country. The tourism sector is Morocco's main foreign currency earner, with revenues totaling around six billion US dollars in 2004. http://www.islamonline.org/English/News/2005-06/21/article03.shtml  ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

Energy sources diversification, a priority to secure supply, minister 
Casablanca, June 21 

Energy supply security is a major priority for Morocco that is implementing a diversification policy to secure various energy sources, said Moroccan energy and mining minister, Mohamed Boutaleb at a conference on "World Energy prospects: consequences for Morocco." The diversification policy is paramount given that Morocco's energy consumption will go up from 11.4 to 17 million of tons of oil equivalent (TOE) by 2015, while electric power generation will increase from 18,000 to 35,000 GWH, he said at the conference here Monday. The government has incepted several projects to diversify energy sources, Boutaleb said adding the projects include the Jorf Lasfar natural gas terminal (347 km south of Rabat, The Essaouira wind power park (442 km south) and The Ain Beni Mathar solar power plant (500 km East). He added the government also carried out other projects to meet the needs of the country's economy, recalling that the general access to electricity program is to provide power to 34,500 villages by 2007. Boutaleb said incentive measures were taken to enhance the competitiveness of enterprises, including a 35% power bill cut, low butane gas prices, VAT suspension for butane gas and other fiscal measures regarding coal and oil imports. The minister said the government delivered 72 permits for oil exploration and signed 5 reconnaissance contracts. http://www.map.ma/eng/sections/imp_economy/energy_sources_diver/view  ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

Over USD 300 million to improve living conditions in Rabat area. 
Rabat, June 20 

A total of MAD 3.25 billion (around USD 361 millions) have been earmarked by the Government in an effort to eradicate shanty towns and improve the living conditions of the most vulnerable people in the Rabat area. This amount was allocated under four conventions signed here Monday during a ceremony chaired by Morocco's King Mohammed VI. The first three conventions that concern the urban development of the cities of Rabat and neighboring Salé and Temara aim at refurbishing roads, reinforcing public lighting system, restructuring green spaces and urban transport and creating social, cultural and sport infrastructures. Under the fourth convention, 4,000 families living in shanty towns in Sidi Yahia Zaër will be relocated to Tamesna in the suburbs of Rabat. The project plans to rehabilitate Sidi Yahia Zaër in order to integrate it in the new city of Tamesna, that will include a population of 250,000 persons. The king also launched on Monday in the rural commune of Sidi Taibi (province of Kenitra), a ten-year restructuring program to extend on 700 hectares with a budget of MAD 900 million (USD 100 million). These initiatives are part of a drive to fight poverty and social exclusion, and to promote women's situation, child protection and economic and social conditions of youth. http://www.map.ma/eng/sections/imp_social/over_usd_300_million/view  ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

France resolved to keep commitment to Moroccan Initiative for Human Development. 
Rabat, June 16 

France is resolved to keep its commitment to the implementation of the goals set in the Moroccan Initiative for Human Development (INDH) announced lately by King Mohammed VI, stressed French ambassador to France, Philippe Faure. The sovereign spelled out on May 18 the large-scale, social policy dubbed "National Initiative for Human Development" based on integrated programs to reduce social disparities and fight exclusion. It is designed to provide basic infrastructure to millions, from adequate housing and drinking water to health care and education Faure, who recalled France is the first provider of public aid to development to Morocco, said the INDH objectives match to a great extent the French-Moroccan partnership priorities, adding French cooperation fully adheres to the objectives and the vision of the initiative. The French Ambassador told "L'Economiste" daily the initiative focuses on "priorities relating to human dignity", such as water, education, health, sanitation, infrastructures, which are reasons "to work together to achieve the same ideal". He said the INDH method favours innovating tools and corresponds to the modernisation process of the French cooperation with Morocco that earmarked 50 million euros for slum eradication, 25 million euros to health care, and infrastructure works, including rural electrification (166 million euros) and rural drinking water (12 million euros in loans). Faure added his country in 2004 also extended to Morocco 27 million euros for education and helped upgrade human resources through training (11 million euros) as well as assistance to small and medium enterprises (30 million euros in loans). Several international institutions and organisations hailed and pledged support to the INDH since it was announced, including the World bank, UN agencies, funds and programs in Morocco, World Health Organisation, ISESCO, the African Development Bank (AfDB)... http://www.map.ma/eng/sections/social/france_resolved_to_k/view  ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

Growing foreign interest in Morocco banking system. 
Posted: 01-06-2005. 

The Moroccan parliament has recently approved a draft reform of the banking law, which will give the kingdom's central bank greater powers to control banks and to enforce international standards. This law constitutes an update for a series of legislative reforms, which have considerably liberalized and opened-up the local banking system since 1993. Today, Morocco's banking system consists of 16 banks. Although competition within the country's commercial banking sector has intensified in recent years, competition among Moroccan banks is still rather limited, and banks, in practice, do not compete on deposit and lending rates, except for large customers. However, it seems that as a result of this limited competition Moroccan banks are generally sound and stable. Furthermore, Moroccan banks are largely in compliance with the Basel standards. They are supervised on a consolidated basis and must provide statements audited by certified public accountants. In contrast to this situation in the private sector, there are actually a number of state-owned specialized banks (in particular Caisse National de Credit Agricole and Credit Immobilier et Hotelier), which are currently under investigation for bad management and corruption. Another important development that was achieved in the banking sector, was the authorization given to foreign exporters, and Moroccan expatriates, to open foreign currency accounts in Moroccan banks (a decision which enabled Morocco to considerably increase its foreign currency reserves). This approval together with the new legislation that enables foreign investors to receive credit on the local market, were important for the government's effort to encourage further foreign investment in the kingdom. Foreign investors nowadays may freely enter the Moroccan market and participate in the local stock exchange, but commercial banks must still have a majority of Moroccan ownership. Nevertheless, leading international banks have lately been showing great interest in entering the Moroccan market and collaborating with local banks. A leading financial consultancy in Europe has told MENA Report that several months ago a major financial organization had approached it in this matter and asked to examine the feasibility of cooperating with one of the leading private banks in Morocco.The consultancy officials refused to disclose further information concerning the exact nature of this planned cooperation but emphasized that it is going to focus on a number of specific fields, "which currently have much more room to develop." © 2005 Mena Report (www.menareport.com) http://www.menareport.com/en/business,Financial_Markets/184364  ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

World Bank Opens First GDLN Centre in Morocco.
22/06/2005 

The University of Hassan II-Mohammedia and the World Bank Moroccan office opened the first Global Development Learning Network (GDLN) Centre in North Africa at the school on Wednesday (22 June). GDLN is a global partnership of learning centers that use advanced information and communication technologies to connect people working in development around the world. Initiated by the World Bank in 2000, the network currently includes over 70 affiliates, with most of them located in developing countries http://www.magharebia.com/cocoon/awi/xhtml1/en_GB/homepage/  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --- 

The 'Sleeping Child' did it again. 
Rabat, June 23

The "Sleeping Child" did it again in Barcelona where it grabbed the award of the best movie at the 13th International Women's Film of Barcelona, organized June 6-16. The new honor of Yasmine Kassari's long-length movie is the 18th since the work was first premiered. This same June, the movie won the most distinguished awards of the first Vesuvio Award of the best long length movie and the Fondazione laboratorio mediteranio prize, at the 7th edition of the Napoli film festival It also won, the best scenario trophy of the National Center of cinematography in Paris. It was awarded the public and best actor prizes at the 17th one-week European film festival of Angers, France. This Morocco-Belgian production features a misfortunate bride, Zineb, enacted by Mounia Ousfour, who deliberately makes her fetus "sleep" while waiting for the return of the father who illegally immigrated. But time goes by and, to the great disappointment of the bride, the husband does not show up. In Maghreb countries, it is believed that the growth of the fetus in the mother's womb may stop, or be halted, and resume later. Yasmine Kassai turns this waiting into an effective reflection on the life of the women of rural Morocco, scene of important exoduses of masculine population. The protagonists of the film, Rachida Brakni, Nermine Elhaggar, Fatna Abdessamie, Khamsa Abdessamie and Issa Abdessamie, live their circumstances in a contradictory way, oscillating between the hope and the obstacle that represent the men, the absence of whom structures their lives and simultaneously the narrative thread of history. http://www.map.ma/eng/sections/box3/the__sleeping_child/view  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --- 

New book by Zakya Daoud. 
Jun 23, 2005 (Al-Bawaba via COMTEX) 

The journalist-writer Moroccan woman, Zakya Daoud, has published a new book titled "Moroccans of the other bank". The new 232-page book, published by Tarik editions, presents the social problems of Moroccan expatriates in France, and tells the story of the "Migrations and Development" Association, which operates mainly in the Taroudant region of Morocco. The Association was established in 1987 by Jamal Lahoussain, a trade unionist who fought against the closing of the factory where he had worked for 15 years in France. After having lost his battle, Jamal went on to encourage his compatriots to return to their homeland and invest their retirement pensions in projects of development in Morocco. EMarrakech reports that the book was launched with a signing ceremony event by the author (June 20), at the Kalila Wa Dimna bookshop, in Rabat.(C) 2005 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com ) By Al-Bawaba Reporters http://www.albawaba.com/en/countries/Morocco/185383  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --- 

Gnawa: Essaouira Festival raises curtains. 

Essaouira is once again the capital of world music and a crossroads of cultures as the 8th Gnawa and World Music Festival raised its curtains Thursday night. Thousands of Moroccan and foreign music lovers teemed Place Moulay El-Hassan, Essaouira's main square, to attend the opening ceremony that featured Moroccan Maâlems (Masters) Hamid El Kasr, Abdeslam Alikane and Abdelkebir Merchane. Several foreign musicians joined the party in a token to the universality of the language of music.The opening ceremony attracted a dozen Moroccan and foreign journalists and several famous satellite channels, reflecting the international recognition that Gnawa music enjoys.Gnawa is a mystical form of music that draws its roots from the Gnawas, descendants of black slaves. It has now become an integral part of the life of the "wind city" inhabitants and has gained international recognition. Gnawa appeared in Morocco some three centuries ago in Essaouira, which was a port for trade between Africa and Europe. During this period, black African slaves, ancestors of the Gnawa, ostrich feathers, gold and salt were exchanged for goods imported from Europe.Gnawa is a ritual of deliverance for the body and the mind, a therapeutic affair with elements of black African culture and Islam.Former Mogador is hosting, June 23-26, some 300 musicians and singers coming from Africa, Asia, Europe, the USA and Morocco to stage concerts on the nine venues prepared for this event. Festival agenda: For more information, visit http://www.festival-gnaoua.co.ma/eng/home.cfm . http://www.moroccotimes.com/paper/article.asp?idr=49&id=7600  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --- 

Moroccan novelist Mohamed Nedali receives Grand Atlas Award. 
Rabat, June 18 

"Pieces of a Choice: Loves of an Apprentice Butcher" of the Moroccan novelist Mohamed Nedali has been awarded the 13th edition of the "Grand Atlas Award" in the fiction category. The Fennec-edited work, was chosen unanimously by a jury of specialists and intellectuals chaired by Jean-Marie Gustave Le Clezio, one of France's eminent contemporary literature figures. Le Clezio said the jury was particularly enamored with the "freshness of the tune, the pungency and the humor" of Nedali's first novel. "We were captured by the incisive portrays of the characters of the novel, and by the picturing of a certain masculine mentality," said Le Clezio, adding that the work was written in an inventive language "that managed to charm the youth." He said a "common thread" links the ten competing novels in the topic of Morocco, which reflect the concerns and the daily life of the Moroccan society. Created in 1991 by the French embassy in Morocco, the Grand Atlas Award eyes promoting and compensating Moroccan authors. 2000 was the first year the award considers a novel written in Arabic. http://www.map.ma/eng/sections/imp_culture/moroccan_novelist_mo/view  ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

Second Conference of Amazighe Poetry Opens in Nador.
20/06/2005 

The second conference of Amazighe poetry opened in Nador on Friday (17 June). The event is organized by the Moroccan Royal Institute for Amazighe Culture (IRCAM) in collaboration with the Moroccan Ministry of Culture, the Municipality of Nador and the Ilmas Association. EMarrakech reports the conference is part of IRCAM activities to promote and protect Amazighe language and culture. During the conference, Amazighe written, oral, traditional, and modern poetry will be discussed http://www.magharebia.com/cocoon/awi/xhtml1/en_GB/homepage/  ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

Second Festival of Theatre in Marrakech.
20/06/2005 

Following the success of the first edition of the Festival of Theatre in Marrakech held in 2004, the city will host a second edition this year. The 2005 edition, scheduled to take place 13-24 July, will include participation of nine Moroccan theatre groups from Rabat, Khouribga, Casablanca, Inzegane, and Marrakech. http://www.magharebia.com/cocoon/awi/xhtml1/en_GB/homepage/  ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

Darija in London's Notting Hill : Moroccan community in GB struggle for recognition. 
By Karima Rhanem 6/21/2005 London, Notting Hill 

The Moroccan community in London, settled in North Kensington during the 1960's, is still struggling for identity and recognition. Souad Talsi-Naji, a British immigration specialist of Moroccan descent sees the community as disoriented in terms of its relations with local authorities, central administration and support services, and in terms of its integration as a minority within the body of London. She claimed in an interview with Morocco Times that the number of success stories is very sporadic and is greatly outnumbered by the failures.You have certainly heard about Julia Roberts' Notting Hill. Well, it is not just a movie, but a place where our Moroccan community have settled for more than four decades.Taza Snack, Bab Marrakech, Casablanca Halal Meat Butchers, L'Etoile de Sousse Patisserie. Such names make you feel you are in one of Casablanca neighborhoods. This is not Morocco but Golborne Road, North Kensington, London W10.Kensington, where the famous Notting Hill Gate is located, has been home to more than 6000 Moroccans.As you are exploring the area, going up to Queensway and Bayswater - 15 minutes walk from Notting Hill, you not only hear Moroccan Darija, but different Arabian dialects. You probably think you are in the Midlle East!"The Moroccan community came to North Kensington in the early 1960's, when migrant workers were directly recruited by British hotels and catering trades," said Souad Talsi-Naji, a British immigration specialist of Moroccan descent." Apart from the small Moroccan Jewish community which settled in Manchester in the 19th century, Most Moroccans living in Britain," added Talsi-Naji, "came from 'Jbala' of Northern Morocco; others came from Meknes and Casablanca." According to a 2001 Census, conducted by the British Office for National Statistics, the Moroccan community in London - estimated at 6000 - is the largest Arab community in the area of Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea (RBK & C). Al Hasaniya Moroccan Women's Center, a Londonian NGO working closely with the Moroccan community, estimated, however, that there are more than 8000 Moroccans living in the RBK & C area. "The number of Moroccans living in this area, given by the Office of National Statistics is just estimation. We believe the number is higher as recent political events in the World and particularly in the Middle East have affected Moroccans' perception towards their identity," said Souad Talsi-Naji.Talsi-Naji, who is also a founding member of the Al Hasaniya Moroccan women's center, added that "Moroccans in post 9/11 have reviewed their identity. Some identified themselves as Muslims first and foremost, whilst others feared to identify themselves as Moroccans or Muslims, and some have even changed their names." "Despite steady restrictions imposed on migrant entry into Britain since early 1970's and recent entry clearance visas on Maghreb nationals in 1996, there is still some regular movement between Morocco and Britain," said Talsi-Naji.She added that the increasing number of the community has been due primarily to the arrival of dependants and the growth of families settled in London with an average of 4 children. http://www.moroccotimes.com/paper/article.asp?idr=11&id=7539  #######################################################################

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