Morocco expels two Norwegians from Laayoune  (Read more...)

South Korean tire manufacturer Hankook expands in Morocco with new subsidiary

Premium tire manufacturer Hankook has announced the opening of its sales subsidiary in Morocco, marking a significant step in its Africa expansion plan, the company stated in a press release on Thursday. Hankook will be offering a wide range of innovative, high-quality products, backed by global research centers, numerous patents, and advanced technological developments, it said. Don Yi Jeon has been appointed as Managing Director of the new Moroccan subsidiary. He previously oversaw the

Queen Máxima honors Moroccan fashion at Utrecht exhibition

Queen Máxima of the Netherlands attended the MODA exhibition at the Central Museum in Utrecht on Wednesday. This exhibition showcases Moroccan fashion and is open to the public until March 2, 2025. During the exhibition, Queen Máxima spoke with designers about their work and inspiration. She also met other creators from MODA and Central Museum staff. «With MODA, we aim to convey the energy of contemporary makers with a connection to Morocco», said Ninke Bloemberg,

Moroccan professor Mimoun Azzouz leads gene therapy innovation at Sheffield University

The British University of Sheffield (270 km north of London) has launched the Gene Therapy Innovation and Manufacturing Centre (GTIMC), led by Moroccan professor Mimoun Azzouz. The center of excellence, inaugurated on Wednesday in the presence of Princess Anne, sister of King Charles III, aims to advance the clinical development of new genetic treatments through the production of clinical-grade vectors, alongside translational support and regulatory advice. During the inauguration ceremony,

Government announces financial aid for flood victims in southeast Morocco

Financial aid of 80,000 and 140,000 dirhams will be granted to families whose homes were partially or completely destroyed by the floods in the southeast of the Kingdom, Head of Government Aziz Akhannouch announced on Wednesday in Rabat. In a press statement following the first meeting of the Inter-ministerial Commission responsible for the rehabilitation program for flood-affected areas, Akhannouch emphasized that this financial aid reflects the Sovereign's care for the affected populations.

Morocco extends emergency aid for earthquake-affected families by five months

The emergency aid payments of 2,500 dirhams to families whose homes were partially or totally destroyed in the Al-Haouz earthquake will be extended by five months to allow families to fully rehabilitate their homes, Head of Government Aziz Akhannouch announced on Wednesday in Rabat. In a statement following the 12th meeting of the inter-ministerial commission responsible for the reconstruction and rehabilitation program in the disaster-affected areas, Akhannouch explained that this extension

Morocco's BCP and Tanger Med launch blockchain payment platform for logistics

The Banque Centrale Populaire (BCP) and Tanger Med Port Authority (TMPA) have signed a contract to implement the «Blockchain Payment Gateway» platform, which will serve the port and logistics ecosystem, according to a press release from BCP. The signing ceremony took place on September 27, 2024, during BCP's participation in the Tanger Logistics Days. The event marks the commitment of both entities to develop payment solutions for port operators, importers, freight forwarders, and

Four arrested in Agadir for sexual assault of foreign teen

Four people, including two minors, were arrested on Wednesday in Agadir for their involvement in the sexual assault of a 15-year-old foreign national. The victim was visiting the city with her family, according to a statement from the Agadir Security Directorate. The arrests followed a tip-off from a citizen regarding the suspected sexual assault of a foreign girl in the coastal strip. Police officers immediately intervened, leading to the arrest of the four suspects shortly after the crimes

Morocco's Agriculture Ministry, Huawei team up for digital transformation

On Tuesday, October 1, 2024, Morocco's Minister of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development and Water and Forests, Mohammed Sadiki, signed a partnership agreement with David Li, General Manager of Huawei Morocco, to develop techniques and technologies applied to agriculture. The signing ceremony took place on the sidelines of the 15th edition of the El Jadida Horse Show and was attended by professionals and several officials from the ministry, according to a press release from the

Morocco inaugurates renovated consular section in Washington

Nasser Bourita, Minister of Foreign Affairs, inaugurated the newly renovated consular section of the Moroccan Embassy in Washington on Tuesday. «Improving consular services is a top priority for the Kingdom to meet the growing expectations of the Moroccan community for efficiency, speed, and effectiveness», emphasized the Minister during the event. The renovated consular section, housed in a historic building, features a complete overhaul of its infrastructure and facilities.

Tourism revenue in Morocco rises 6.7% as 11.8 million tourists visit in first 8 months of 2024

Morocco's tourism industry has experienced a notable recovery in the first eight months of the current year, with a 6.7% increase in revenue as the kingdom welcomed 11.8 million tourists, according to the monthly report on foreign exchange indicators issued by the Foreign Exchange Office on Tuesday, October 1. Tourism revenue reached 76.4 billion dirhams by the end of August, compared to 71.7 billion dirhams in the same period last year, the report stated. These figures reflect the continued

Moroccan police chief receives Senior British Military Advisor for Middle East, North Africa

Morocco's Abellatif Hammouchi, Director General of National Security (DGSN) and Territorial Surveillance (DGST), welcomed Vice Admiral Edward Ahlgren, Senior British Military Advisor for the Middle East and North Africa, on Wednesday. The meeting took place at the DGST headquarters in Rabat as part of Ahlgren's working visit to Morocco. Notable attendees included British Ambassador Simon Martin, the counterterrorism liaison officer at the British Embassy in Rabat, military and security

Moroccan midfielder Abdelhamid Sabiri joins UAE's Ajman Club on loan

Ajman Club, a UAE Pro League team, announced on Monday, September 30, 2024, the signing of Moroccan international midfielder Abdelhamid Sabiri on loan from Italy's Fiorentina. In a statement on their official X account, Ajman Club welcomed the «World Cup Lion» to their ranks, referring to the 27-year-old playmaker's move to the Emirati side. Sabiri began his professional career with Germany's Nürnberg before making a name for himself in Italy's Serie A. The club's statement

Spain deports Moroccan linked to 2017 Barcelona terror attack

The Spanish Interior Ministry confirmed the expulsion of Moroccan Said Ben Iazza, one of the three jihadists convicted in the August 17, 2017 Barcelona and Cambrils attacks, according to Spanish media. The expulsion took place in April. Initially, Ben Iazza was sentenced to eight years in prison for collaborating with a terrorist organization. The judge later determined that, while not directly involved in the attacks, he had loaned a truck to members of the Ripoll terrorist cell and provided

Social media-fueled migration : 50 sentenced in Morocco

The Tetouan Court of First Instance on Tuesday convicted 50 people in connection with the mass migration that occurred in the city of Fnideq to Ceuta on September 15, following a social media call. Prison sentences ranged from three to nine months, with fines of up to 1,000 dirhams. The court postponed the hearing of 20 related cases until next Wednesday. Media sources reported that one person was acquitted, while twenty received nine-month sentences, twenty-seven received seven-month

Spanish Civil Guard sentenced to prison for stealing money from a Moroccan at border

A court in Melilla sentenced a member of the Spanish Civil Guard to seven months in prison for stealing money from a Moroccan citizen during a border check in Beni Ansar, according to Spanish news agency Europa Press. The incident occurred on May 27, 2022, around 10:30 a.m., when the accused took advantage of his position as a Civil Guard member to steal a small bag placed under the driver's seat of the victim's car. The victim, a 38-year-old Moroccan citizen, was being inspected by other

Switzerland schedules three meetings on Sahara at Security Council this October

Switzerland, which holds the rotating presidency of the UN Security Council in October, has scheduled three meetings to address the Sahara question. The program published on Tuesday includes a meeting on October 10, during which the UN Secretary-General's Personal Envoy for Western Sahara, Staffan de Mistura, will brief the fifteen members on the latest developments in the region. On October 16, the UN Secretary-General's Special Representative for Western Sahara and head of MINURSO, Russia's

Morocco seizes 37 kg of cocaine in drug bust at El Guergarat border

Moroccan security forces thwarted an international drug trafficking operation on Tuesday, seizing over 37 kilograms of cocaine at the El Guergarat border post near Dakhla, according to a security source. The joint operation, conducted by National Security and Customs officials, uncovered 37.6 kg of cocaine hidden in 36 packages within the cabin of a Moroccan-registered international transport truck. The truck, transporting a shipment of dried fruits, had arrived at the border from a

Morocco’s economic reforms set to drive inclusive growth and stability, says S&P

S&P Global Ratings stated in its latest report that Morocco's ongoing economic reforms are expected to generate «more inclusive» and «more robust» growth. «The ongoing shift in Morocco's economic structure, along with the strong performance of its tourism, phosphates and derivatives, automotive, and aerospace sectors, will enhance growth prospects and economic stability», the U.S. agency noted. It also highlighted Morocco's resilience to various shocks