7sisi

Sahara: Mauritania rebuffs Polisario request to open embassy in Nouakchott, another setback for separatists

The government of Mauritania has refused a request from the Algeria-backed Polisario militias to establish a consulate or embassy in Nouakchott, dealing another hard blow to the separatist group and its Algerian supporters, according to press reports. Mauritania, which adopts a neutral position regarding the Sahara regional conflict, has always been cautious in its ties […]

U.S. Commerce Department lowers duties on Moroccan phosphate imports

The U.S. Department of Commerce has decided to lower import duties on Moroccan phosphate fertilizers from 19.97% to 2.12%. U.S. farmers hailed the decision saying it will help ease the pressure and decrease fertilizer prices. The decision, which was announced Thursday, comes after Commerce officials conducted an administrative review on the countervailing duties (CVD) imposed […]

Morocco’s central bank asks banks to freeze distributing dividends

Morocco’s Central Bank, known as Bank Al Maghrib, asked banks not to pay 2019 dividends to shareholders in order to boost their capacity to dealing with the coronavirus repercussions. This recommendation comes after a series of measures including boosting three-fold bank’s refinancing capacity and measures to make loans more accessible for households and companies, the […]