Morocco sees 10.6% surge in foreign currency travel revenues in April 2024

Until April 2024, travel revenues in foreign currencies reached 31.9 billion dirhams, a significant increase of 10.6% compared to the same period last year. This month alone, revenues reached 8 billion dirhams, bolstering growth prospects for the end of 2024. Minister of Tourism, Handicrafts, and Social and Solidarity Economy, Fatim-Zahra Ammor welcomed the «predictable» recovery, given the strong arrival numbers. «It shows that our country remains a popular destination,

Morocco to launch derivatives to help finance 2030 World Cup projects

Morocco is planning to start derivatives trading by the end of this year, according to Nezha Hayat, chair of the Moroccan Capital Market Authority, who spoke with Bloomberg. The move is expected to help Morocco expand its capital markets to finance infrastructure projects scheduled ahead of the 2030 World Cup, the business newspaper reported on Monday. Hayat emphasized the urgency of financing World Cup projects, stating the need to significantly broaden the market by attracting more retail

Polisario delegation visits Mauritania ahead of presidential elections

On June 29, Mauritanians will vote in new presidential elections. In the run-up to these elections, the Polisario leader sent a delegation to Nouakchott, led by his advisor Salek Beiba. In the Mauritanian capital, Brahim Ghali's envoy held a series of meetings with leaders of political parties and independent candidates in the upcoming presidential elections, the Polisario news agency SPS reported. Beiba held talks with the president of the Insaf party (Equality, the formation founded in 2022

French national wanted by Interpol arrested in Morocco

Moroccan police apprehended a French national wanted by Interpol in Bab Sebta on Sunday, June 2nd, according to a statement from the General Directorate of National Security (DGSN). The individual faces an international arrest warrant issued by French authorities for alleged involvement in criminal activities like drug trafficking and illegal possession of firearms. #التعاون_الأمني_الدولي باب سبتة.. توقيف مواطن من جنسية فرنسية ، يشكل

Moroccan workers exploited in French vineyards, trafficking ring busted

Following months of investigation, authorities intervened on May 27th to dismantle a human trafficking operation exploiting workers in the Gironde and Lot-et-Garonne departments of France. Gendarmes targeted workers' housing in Monségur, a town in the Entre-deux-Mers wine region, and the Marmandais area. The operation resulted in finding fifteen Moroccan employees. Three lacked proper documentation, and all faced poor working conditions. They received partial wages and were housed in

Marhaba 2024 : Easier customs clearance for Moroccans abroad

The Customs and Indirect Tax Administration (ADII) announced new facilitation measures for Moroccans living (MREs) abroad as part of the Marhaba 2024 operation. These measures, implemented annually under royal directives, aim to improve the reception process for MREs, according to an ADII circular dated June 1, 2024. Good news for MREs with cars on Temporary Admission (TA): The validity period, typically expiring on December 1st, has been extended by six months at no additional cost. This

When Moroccan merchant Abu al-Barakat Yusuf al-Barbari converted the Maldives to Islam

For Moroccan traveler Ibn Battuta, Maldivians were converted to Islam by a Berber merchant known as Abu al-Barakat Yusuf al-Barbari. In the Islands the Muslim scholar is regarded as a medieval hero who saved the nation from a sea monster.

Morocco paves the way for domestic arms industry

Following the legal framework approved in August 2020 for a domestic arms industry, Morocco is now allocating land for interested manufacturers. King Mohammed VI chaired a Council of Ministers meeting on June 1st, which adopted «a draft decree creating two defense industrial acceleration zones», according to a statement from the royal cabinet. These zones will be designated for «defense industries relating to defense and security materials and equipment, weapons and

Morocco's King appoints new head of sustainable energy agency

King Mohammed VI presided over a Council of Ministers meeting on June 1st, appointing Tarik Moufaddal as the new President and CEO of the Moroccan Agency for Sustainable Energy (MASEN), according to a press release from the Royal Cabinet. Moufaddal replaces Mustapha Bakkoury, who had held the position since December 30, 2009. Since March 2021, however, Bakkoury's participation in certain official capacities had been restricted. This included meetings chaired by the King to review the progress

Morocco’s Taghazout Bay gears up for summer with music and entertainment

Taghazout Bay gears up for a summer of thrills with «Music and Entertainment» as its theme. The Bay has programmed a variety of activities and will launch a brand new festival called «Amazingh Festival».