First Independent Mena Newspaper
Morocco has been described as one of the few safest countries in the globe for travelers by the US travel advisory issued by the US Department, while Algeria has been included in tier 2 danger requiring “increased precaution” due to the threat of terrorism. The contrast reflects the security gap in the Maghreb between oil-rich […]
The suffering of 338 Moroccans in Libyan detention centers came to an end with their arrival on board two Libyan Al Ifriqiyah airways planes, in Casablanca airport on Friday night, the ministry of Moroccans living abroad and migrant affairs said. This repatriation operation is the third of its kind in five months, following the return […]
The new special representative of the UN Secretary General for the Sahara and Head of the MINURSO, Colin Stewart, held separate meetings in Rabat on Friday with Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Nasser bourita, and of the Interior, Abdelouafi Laftit. The contents of talks between Colin Stewart and Foreign Min-ister Bourita were not disclosed. During his […]
The long awaited launch of the flexible exchange rate system for the Dirham currency will start on January 15 after it was postponed for 5 months. The gradual Dirham float will start with an anchor of 2.5% in-stead of 0.3% currently, while fixing the Dirham exchange rate via a peg that is 60 percent weighted […]
The Political Bureau of the Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM) has dispelled speculations about its intention to submit a draft bill to forfeit nationality from Jews of Moroccan origin living in Israeli settlements. The Party’s Spokesperson confirmed that the legal measure against the Moroccan Jews in Israeli settlements was not on the agenda. And during […]
Morocco chose a successful businessman and current industry minister to lead its charm offensive to host the 2026 World Soccer Cup, in a fifth attempt by the kingdom to organize the global sports event. Moulay Hafid Elalamy will act as the governmental interlocutor for FIFA and will be tasked with coordinating the campaign to host […]
The European Bank for Reconstruction & Development has approved a €9.7 Million loan to Fondation Albaraka, one of the largest microfinance institutions in Morocco for on-lending to local micro enterprises. Access to finance through banks remains extremely limited for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in Morocco. The EBRD funds will offer much-needed support for […]
Laureate Education, a Baltimore-based company, said it will sell its university in Morocco, Université Internationale de Casablanca, for $53.6 mln to KMR Holding Pédagogique, a company that owns the Private University of Marrakech and invests in education in west Africa. The Université Internationale de Casablanca, which opened in 2010, is one of the few state-recognized […]
Morocco forsees growth to slow to 2.8% in 2018, down from 4% in 2017 as rainfall uncertainties haunt the agricultural output. The figures released by Morocco’s statistics office (HCP) show that Morocco’s growth remains vulnerable to the performances of the agricultural sector. According to the same agency, non-agricultural activities would increase slightly from 2.8% in […]
The European Commission seems set to renew the fisheries agreement with Morocco, which will expire in July 2018. The Commission has asked the European Council for a mandate to start negotiations with Morocco on the deal, which enabled, since 2013, 120 vessels from 11 EU countries to fish off Moroccan coasts. In 2017, both EU […]