Carding network smuggling high-tech goods to Morocco dismantled in Spain  (Read more...)

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

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

Moroccan-Polish team unearths Roman watchtower near Volubilis

The National Institute of Archaeology and Heritage announced the excavation of a Roman watchtower located near the Zeggota Pass north of the ancient city of Volubilis. A joint team of Moroccan and Polish archaeologists conducted the excavation between April 18 and May 3, 2024. This marks the second Roman watchtower discovered in the Kingdom of Morocco. The research falls under the umbrella project «Tingitana Frontier». Fadwa Benjaafar (Director of the Moroccan mission) and Aomar

Morocco to launch tender for floating LNG terminal

Morocco's Ministry of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development is planning to launch a tender this summer for a floating liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal in the western Mediterranean port of Nador, according to an official announcement reported on Friday by Reuters. Abdelghafour El Hadjoui, head of oil and gas at the ministry, revealed in a presentation that financial closing for the project is expected within the next year. Construction, operation, and commercial activities are

Holmarcom, Microsoft launch AI INSTITUTE in Casablanca

The Holmarcom Group recently inaugurated AI INSTITUTE, a new training center specializing in artificial intelligence (AI) and data science in Casablanca. AI INSTITUTE aims to equip professionals with the essential skills needed to thrive in today's increasingly technology-driven world, according to a press release. On May 29, 2024, coinciding with GITEX Africa in Marrakech, Holmarcom and Microsoft formalized a strategic partnership to collaborate on the AI INSTITUTE project. «With

Sahara : Japan supports Morocco's «serious and credible efforts» for autonomy plan

Japan expressed its appreciation on Friday for Morocco's «serious and credible efforts within the framework of the autonomy initiative for settling the Western Sahara question». This position was conveyed by Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa during her talks in Tokyo with Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita, according to a press release from the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Referring to Japan's longstanding position, Kamikawa spoke of «Morocco's autonomy

Japan keen to promote economic ties with Morocco, FM says

Japan's Foreign Minister, Kamikawa Yoko, stated in Tokyo on Friday that her country is eager to explore ways to boost economic ties with Morocco. Morocco, a gateway connecting Europe and sub-Saharan Africa, boasts strong potential in various business and investment sectors, as highlighted by Kamikawa. She noted that Japanese companies are «highly interested» in Morocco as a base for expanding into the African region. The minister also underlined that Japan and Morocco have enjoyed

Morocco boosts tourism with Scandinavia via Light Tour

From May 27 to 30, the Moroccan National Tourist Office (ONMT) organized a Light Tour of the four Scandinavian capitals: Stockholm (Sweden), Copenhagen (Denmark), Helsinki (Finland), and Oslo (Norway). The event aimed to strengthen ties with tour operators and travel agents in the region. Nearly fifteen Moroccan operators participated in the Light Tour, establishing relations with their Nordic counterparts and promoting Moroccan experiences, particularly highlighting new air capacities secured

600 Moroccan university faculty members urge cancellation of Israeli partnership

Professors and employees of Abdelmalek Saadi University in Tetouan signed a petition on Thursday demanding the cancellation of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed between their university and the University of Haifa in Israel in September 2022. The agreement in question focused on cooperation in marine sciences, sustainable aquaculture, marine technologies, and ecological research. The petition, signed by over 600 professors and staff from 12 university institutions, is expected to be

Young Moroccan killed in Italy gang clash

A tragedy struck the town of Porto Sant'Elpidio, Italy, on Friday, May 31, when a young Moroccan man died from his injuries after being seriously wounded during a violent altercation in Piazza Garibaldi. Local newspaper Corriere Adriatico reports the incident involved extreme violence, leaving the victim «in a pool of blood» with severe abdominal and buttock wounds. In addition to the deceased, other individuals were injured. A Tunisian national was hospitalized with a

Six Moroccan migrants apprehended after attempting US entry through Mexico

Six Moroccan migrants were apprehended by the U.S. Border Patrol last Saturday in Santa Teresa, New Mexico. The migrants, along with their smuggler, were arrested. Local media reported on Thursday, May 30th, that security officials have intercepted over 52,000 migrants considered to be of «special interest» so far this fiscal year. The San Diego region accounts for nearly 88% of these apprehensions. In the El Paso, Texas area, authorities reported intercepting 17 smuggling

Egyptian FA suspends Moroccan footballer Mohamed Chibi for six matches

The Egyptian Football Association (EFA) suspended Moroccan international Mohamed Chibi, a right-back for Pyramids FC, for six matches. The decision was issued following a civil court case where Ahly player Hussein El Shahat received a one-year suspended sentence for assaulting Chibi during a local match last year. The EFA also fined Chibi 100,000 pounds for violating the regulations by resorting to the criminal court in a football matter. El Shahat was previously sentenced by a Cairo court

Mobile payment activation below 30% in Morocco, Bank Al-Maghrib regrets

In Morocco, the rate of mobile payment activation remains low at just 10%, while the use of bank cards for digital transactions, though increasing, doesn't exceed 30%, according to Bank Al-Maghrib Managing Director Abderrahim Bouazza. Despite significant advancements in payment methods, including faster and smoother options like internet payments, mobile payments (introduced in 2017), contactless payments (boosted by the pandemic), and instant transfers (launched in 2023), Bank Al-Maghrib's

Israel apologizes for map of Morocco excluding Sahara

The Israeli Foreign Ministry has apologized for using a map of Morocco that did not include the Sahara. On Friday morning, the Israeli Foreign Ministry's Arabic spokesman, Hassan Kaabia, apologized for what he called an «unintentional mistake» following an interview with the Israeli Prime Minister on French television. On Thursday, Benjamin Netanyahu appeared in an interview on French television channels TF1 and LCI holding a map of the Arab world and Iran that excluded Western

Casamémoire heritage days draw 11,000 attendees

The 13th edition of the Casablanca Heritage Days, held from May 13 to 19, gathered nearly 11,000 participants. Under the theme «Casablanca, Heritage in Motion», this edition was organized by the Casamémoire Association, in collaboration with the Governorate of the Casablanca-Settat Region and the City of Casablanca. For the occasion, several museums opened their doors, while various city spaces hosted exhibitions by Casablanca artists, namely the Liberté building, the

Benjamin Netanyahu holds a Morocco map that excludes the Sahara

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appeared in an interview on French TV channels TF1 and LCI Thursday, May 30th, holding a map of the Arab world and Iran that excluded Western Sahara from Moroccan territory. In a letter addressed to King Mohammed VI in July 2023, Netanyahu announced Israel's recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara. He promised to reflect this position in all of Israel's work and documents at the United Nations, regional and international organizations,