Africa International

Euro-Maghreb Counter-Terror Air Drill

The air forces of the five Maghreb countries (Algeria, Libya, Morocco, Mauritania &Tunisia) and their European partners France, Spain, Italy, Malta and Portugal have staged lately a joint aerial military drill destined to counter terror threats. The joint regional exercise, code-named “Circaete 2012”, seeks to enhance the combat capabilities of the air forces to prevent […]

Business Finance

Fitch Gives Morocco ‘BBB’ Rating

Global rating agency Fitch has affirmed Morocco’s Long-term foreign currency Issuer Default Rating (IDR) at ‘BBB-‘, Long-term local currency IDR at ‘BBB’, and Short-term foreign currency IDR at ‘F3’. The agency has also given the North African Kingdom a “stable outlook” and affirmed the country ceiling at ‘BBB’. Morocco’s ‘BBB-‘ rating is supported by a […]

Features Op Eds Opinions

Unemployment in Morocco … Hard Times for Youth

Abdurrahman, 30, graduated from college two years ago. Immediately after graduation he started the grueling job search process. First he applied for the public sector and took part in many hiring competitions but failed in them all. Then he sent his résumé to private employers but most of the time he received no answer and […]

Features Letters to the Editor Opinions

Re-branding the EU-South Mediterranean Relations: What Comprehensive FTAs?

In February 2012, the European Parliament approved proposals to reduce restrictions on agricultural and fisheries exports from Morocco into the EU, and to allow Morocco to participate in EU single market programs (on competitiveness and innovation, customs, transport). A few days later, on 1 March 2012, a free trade area (FTA) in industrial goods was […]

Business Emerging Markets

North Africa Will No Longer Benefit from Europe Preferential Trade System in 2014

The EU has issued lately its revised import preference scheme – known as the Generalized Scheme of Preferences (GSP) – for developing countries most in need which will take effect from 1 January 2014. The new list of beneficiaries from GSP does not include North African countries: Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco & Tunisia. With […]

Headlines Morocco

Morocco: Managing the Zakat

Known for being a right of the poor, Zakat is a compulsory donation that has to be given by any Muslim from whatever income was earned during the year. This sum which corresponds to 2.5 % of the Muslim’s assets must be worth at least 85g of gold. From a religious point of view many […]

Business Energy

Vienna Hosts North Africa Oil and Gas Summit

Vienna plays host November 6 through 8 to the seventh annual North Africa oil and gas summit that will provide attendees with the opportunity to share insights on the region’s recent development prospects and a concrete understanding of the available blocks, evolving fiscal and legal frameworks and contractual terms from strategy leaders in the region. […]

Business Energy

Chariot Oil Company Enhances its Offshore Exploration in Morocco

Chariot Oil & Gas Limited, an independent Africa focused oil and gas exploration company, has reinforced its petroleum partnership with Morocco through its recent acquisition two more blocks off the coast of the North African Kingdom. Under the exploration deal sealed with Morocco’s national oil company (Office National des Hydrocarbures et des Mines), Chariot gets […]