Here are the main headlines developed by the national press for this Monday, January 6, 2025
Eco inspirations
Real estate: timid resumption of activities
The year 2024 will have been marked by a partial resumption of activity in the real estate sector. A trend which reflects a gradual revival of dynamics in a market still marked by the after-effects of the pandemic, having led to lasting stagnation in real estate loans. Several elements attest to this evolution. Starting with cement deliveries, recognized as a key barometer of activity. According to data from the Professional Association of Cement Manufacturers, cement deliveries in 2024 showed a notable increase of 15.19% in cumulative volume, compared to a year ago, to reach 13.6 million tonnes. These data reflect a generally favorable economic situation.
Shellfish farming areas: INRH launches health classification
It is in five Moroccan regions that the National Fisheries Research Institute (INRH) will launch health classification services for shellfish growing areas. These are Marrakech Safi, Souss-Massa, Guelmim-Oued Noun, Lâayoune-Sakia Lhamra and Dakhla-Oued Eddahab. Indeed, the typology of the aquaculture offer in Morocco is spread over three sectors, namely shellfish farming, seaweed farming and fish farming. According to the INRH, studies for the health classification of shellfish farming areas constitute an obligatory and regulated step in the monitoring of classified shellfish production areas. They are carried out in accordance with the provisions of Order 1950-17 of the Ministry of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development and Water and Forests, relating to the health classification of maritime shellfish production zones.
L’Opinion
Renewable energy supply chains: Morocco, key player in MENA
The MENA region will become one of the highest producing regions of Renewable Energy (RE) in the world and a hub for international renewable energy supply chains in the next 25 years. This is what the Middle East Institute (MEI) predicts in a recent study. Morocco, the United Arab Emirates and Jordan will spearhead this trend in the region by developing their respective green energy ecosystems. Several countries in the region will then have to develop their own green energy ecosystems and/or integrate with those already developed by their neighbors to increase their capacities and participate in international supply chains, predicts the MEI. In the opinion of this think tank, however, measures should be taken to achieve the emergence of the MENA region as a hub for international renewable energy supply chains. Among these measures: the creation of a MENA regional platform for the export of green ammonia.
Strike law: unions step up to the plate
The year 2025 begins under the sign of tensions around bill 15-97 on the right to strike, adopted by the House of Representatives on December 25, 2024, with 124 votes for and 41 against. Transmitted to the Chamber of Advisors, this text arouses strong opposition from unions, in particular the UMT and the CDT, who denounce its restrictive nature and an attack on the constitutional right to strike. Despite meetings with Minister Younes Sekkouri at the end of December, no consensus was found. Unions criticize high financial penalties, restrictions on forms of strike and bureaucratic procedures considered restrictive. In protest of this text, regional marches were organized on January 5.
Morocco-Argentina: two cargoes of fertilizer from Morocco en route to San Lorenzo and Ramallo
Morocco has just completed two fertilizer export transactions to Argentina, sources within the port authority in San Lorenzo and Ramallo in Argentina indicate to “L’Opinion”. The first cargo concerns an export of 14,000 tonnes of phosphate rocks whose destination is San Lorenzo with an arrival scheduled for January 16, 2025. The second is a cargo of the same phosphate product, but the quantity this time is greater, 19 000 tonnes with an arrival scheduled for January 13, 2025 in Ramallo. For information, phosphate rock prices are stable, standing at $152.50/metric ton.
Agri-food: Morocco consolidates its position as a strategic supplier to the European Union
The Moroccan agricultural sector continues to gain importance on the international scene. According to a recent report from the European Commission, Moroccan exports of food products to the European Union reached a value of 2.483 billion euros between January and September 2024, recording an increase of 5% compared to the same period of the previous year. Morocco now occupies 14th place among the main agri-food suppliers to the European Union, a position reflecting the growing competitiveness of its exports.
The Economist
Private sector: new diagnosis
The World Bank will soon publish a new diagnosis of the private sector, which will succeed that of 2019. This time, the approach is sectoral. The preparation of the document, currently being drafted, was the subject of several consultations at CGEM headquarters, between the Bank team and in turn with representatives of four strategic sectors. The latter were chosen for their strong attractiveness for investment and job creation.
The morning
Forvis Mazars supports Acaps in the strategic transformation of the mutuality sector
In a context of major socio-economic reforms and transition towards universal medical coverage, Acaps has entrusted Forvis Mazars with a major study on the mutual insurance sector in Morocco. With an in-depth analysis and international benchmarks, this study aims to enlighten public authorities on the strategy to adopt to support the development of this sector and its modernization.
Marrakech-Safi essential reserves platform: the Interior mandates Jet Contractors to carry out the development work
The construction of the Marrakech-Safi essential reserves platform will soon begin. The Ministry of the Interior has just entrusted the development work to Jet Contractors for 132.4 million DH. The future platform will include 4 warehouses of 5,000 m² each, an administrative space of 200 m², a social room for staff, a well with water tank, in addition to several outdoor facilities and a green space.
Al Bayane
Samir crisis: employees confront the government with its responsibilities
For the umpteenth time, Samir employees have called on the government to show wisdom and interact positively with their demand, that of putting the only national refinery back on track. During the General Assembly of the company’s employees, members of the national union of oil and gas industries under the CDT, the United Union Office of Samir, reiterated its “attachment to the resumption of refinery activities, without procrastination or procrastination,” underlines the union in a press release sent to Al Bayane. The United Union Office of Samir invited the government to abandon its negative position towards this issue and work to restart the refinery, taking all possible avenues.
Al-Ahdath al-Maghribia
Institution of the Ombudsman of the Kingdom: more than 7,000 complaints and grievances
The annual report of the Institution of the Ombudsman of the Kingdom for the year 2023, which was recently published in the Official Bulletin, revealed an upward trend in the number of files registered, since the Institution received 7,246 complaints, grievances and claims from various parties. The number of grievances falling within the competence of the Institution reached 5,374, compared to 4,141 recorded by the Institution during the year 2022. Grievances recorded a significant increase, reaching 74.37% of the total number of complaints. files registered by the Institution at the end of this year, compared to 57.15% in 2019.
Al Akhbar
Hicham Sabri holds meeting with cafe and restaurant owners
The Secretary of State for Employment, Hicham Sabri, held a meeting with the national office of the National Federation of Café and Restaurant Owners of Morocco, which presented proposals to the ministry with the aim of finding urgent solutions to remedy all the constraints faced by professionals in the sector. This involves the cancellation of fines and penalties and the distribution of the debt over a period of at least 60 months, so that low-income people can resolve their situations relating to monthly contributions and workers’ salaries and to the unpaid debts of the bosses.
