Here are the main headlines developed by the national press for this Tuesday, January 14, 2025
L’Opinion
• On January 14, Morocco celebrates the Amazigh New Year, established in May 2023 as a public holiday by King Mohammed VI, on the same level as the Gregorian New Year and the Muslim New Year. Known as “Id Yennayer”, this event has strong symbolism by marking the start of a new year according to the Berber agrarian calendar. On this occasion, Amazigh people from all over the world put on their most beautiful clothes and prepare a communion dinner, the traditions of which vary from one region to another. This special day is also an opportunity to advocate for an acceleration of the implementation of the official character of the Amazigh language.
• Initially scheduled for January 7, the meeting of the Committee on Justice, Legislation and Human Rights in the House of Representatives, devoted to the examination of proposed amendments to the Family Code, was postponed, at the request of the government, according to the president of the Commission, Saïd Baaziz. The bill has not yet been presented to the Government Council. While waiting for a new date, the Minister of Youth, Culture and Communication, Mohamed Mehdi Bensaïd, highlighted the dynamics of the current national debate around the Moudawana. “It is completely natural for a society to debate these topics and, subsequently, for the legislature to adopt laws adapted to the needs of society,” he said. A debate which promises to be lively between the different political groups.
• With an increase of 311% compared to 2023, Moroccan startups rise to 5th continental rank in terms of financing raised. However, they remain behind the African top quartet. In 2024, Moroccan startups marked a significant turning point by raising $70 million from various investors, according to the platform’s annual report “Africa: The Big Deal”. This impressive figure, which represents a spectacular increase of 311% compared to the $17 million recorded in 2023, propels Morocco to 5th place in Africa in terms of funds raised by startups.
• The Independent Union of Public Sector Doctors has launched a call for mobilization to denounce the shortcomings in the implementation of promised reforms in the health sector. This mobilization, which will last three weeks, includes national strikes, regional sit-ins and a set of symbolic actions to draw attention to the alarming conditions of the public health system. Despite the signing of a general report in December 2023 and a specific agreement in January 2024, recent government proposals, including an agreement dated July 2024, have been categorically rejected by the union.
Liberation
• In the fourth quarter of 2024, domestic demand would have continued to support activity, recording an increase of 5.4%, reducing its contribution to overall economic growth to 6.2 points, indicates the HCP in a recent economic update. Household consumption would have maintained its dynamic, showing an increase of 3.2% in annual variation and thus contributing 2 points to GDP growth, specifies the HCP.
• The dirham appreciated by 1.4% against the euro and 0.6% against the US dollar, during the period from January 2 to 8, 2025, according to Bank Al-Maghrib (BAM) . During this period, no auction operations were carried out on the foreign exchange market, specifies BAM in its weekly bulletin. As of January 3, 2025, official reserve assets stood at 373.2 billion dirhams (billion dirhams), down 0.6% from one week to the next and up 4.9% year-on-year. .
Al Massae
• National economic growth should reach 3.5% in the first quarter of 2025, assuming an improvement in the winter rainfall regime and the absence of external inflationary shocks, according to the HCP. Growth prospects for the first quarter of 2025 augur an acceleration in the increase in overall supply, driven by the continued strengthening of activity in the secondary and tertiary branches, as well as by a 3.2% recovery in agricultural activity, particularly if climatic conditions move towards a more rainy regime during the winter season, indicates the HCP in its recent economic update.
-Al Alam
• The presidents of the majority groups in the House of Representatives agreed to entrust Chaoui Belassal, president of the UC group, with the task of coordinator of the majority groups, within the framework of the principle of rotation adopted within the presidency of the House of Representatives. the House. The Bureau of the House of Representatives is made up of the presidents of the majority groups and is chaired in turn by one of the presidents of the majority groups for a new legislative year.
• Many factors place Moroccan agriculture facing difficult constraints and challenges during this period due to the consequences of low rainfall and low temperatures, especially in winter. Thus, the prices of vegetables and fruits have increased again these days, in various Moroccan markets, which has strained the purchasing power of Moroccans, especially those with limited income. In this context, Mohamed Benabou, climate expert, declared to the daily that water shortage and climatic factors significantly affect the prices of vegetables and fruits, adding that low temperatures and ice damage the plant cover and even slow down the growth of vegetables and fruits, which contributes to low yields and therefore high prices.
Al Ittihad alichtiraki
• Morocco stood out at the “Vakantiebeurs 2025” tourism fair, organized in Utrecht (central Netherlands) from January 8 to 12, by winning the prize for the most beautiful stand. Set up and hosted by the Moroccan National Tourism Office (ONMT), this stand was attended by representatives of Moroccan tourism professionals, as well as Royal Air Maroc (RAM). The Show offers a multitude of travel-related themes, including sustainable tourism, culinary discoveries and adventure travel, with the participation of exhibitors from the tourism, hospitality and cultural sectors presenting a wide range of products and services.
• Cold weather with temperatures varying between -08 and 09°C is expected, from next Tuesday to Friday, in several provinces of the Kingdom, indicated the General Directorate of Meteorology (DGM). Thus, minimum temperatures oscillating between -08 and -02°C and maximums between 00 and 06°C will be recorded, during this period, in the provinces of Ifrane, Boulemane, Sefrou, Azilal, Beni Mellal, Khenifra, Al Haouz, Figuig, Chichaoua, Tinghir, Ouarzazate, Midelt and Taroudant, underlines the DGM in a vigilance level alert bulletin orange.
Assahra Al-Maghribia
• The government is currently working on a new product aimed at improving the technical and financial conditions of insurance for cereals, grains and oilseed crops. The product, on which the Ministry of Agriculture is working with all stakeholders and with the support of the World Bank, lays a foundation suitable for large farmers and insurance coverage for small farmers, with simple underwriting conditions and standards in line with the agricultural context, the government indicated.
• The Saudi capital Riyadh hosts, on Tuesday, the 4th international meeting of ministers responsible for mining affairs, with the participation of 85 countries, including Morocco. The Kingdom is represented at this meeting, which is being held as part of the International Mining Conference (January 14-16), by the Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development, Laila Benali. On this occasion, Ms. Benali will present the Moroccan experience in sustainable development in the mining sector as well as the best sustainable practices in this vital area.
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