Banking & Finance Rising interest rates will help struggling Mena banks Rising interest rates are likely to help major banks in Egypt, Morocco and Jordan to remain profitable in 2023 despite loan defaults increasing and a darkening global economic outlook, S&P Global Ratings forecasts. But banks in the three countries remain vulnerable because of higher funding costs, commodity prices and inflation and lower tourism revenue. The […] February 24, 2023
Banking & Finance Moroccan venture capital fund eyes more tech investments in Israel Morocco’s UM6P Ventures is looking to expand its Israeli portfolio, CEO Yasser Biaz said. UM6P has already made two investments in Israeli startups – out of a total of 18 globally. “We are evaluating another two, looking deeper and further,” Biaz told Reuters during a visit to Israel for the OurCrowd Global Investor Summit in […] February 15, 2023
Exclusive Tourism ‘Constantly evolving’ Mena key to Hyatt growth plan, says new VP Hyatt Hotels, the US-based hospitality giant, is placing emphasis on the Middle East and Africa for its global growth strategy. Stuart Deeson, newly appointed vice president of operations for the region at Hyatt, told AGBI that Saudi Arabia in particular was witnessing a “significant point in history”. He also believes Qatar, Kuwait and Morocco offer […] February 1, 2023
Energy Morocco edges closer to free trade deal with Qatar Morocco looks likely to benefit from Qatar’s booming energy revenues as the two countries move closer to a free trade deal, a Mena economist has said. Government ministers concluded a second round of negotiations in Doha on January 22 to 23, building on the opening discussions that took place in Rabat last November. Qatar recorded […] January 31, 2023
Analysis Tourism Four Seasons reveals new hotel as Morocco’s tourism sector recovers Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts has announced plans to transform a former military hospital in Rabat as Morocco’s tourism revenues continue to recover from the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. The luxury hospitality company is partnering with Atlantic Coast Hospitality, a subsidiary of Abu Dhabi-based real estate development firm Q Holding, to create Four Seasons […] January 18, 2023
Analysis Tourism Gulf in sustainable tourism push as legislation looms When the first tourists arrive to experience the Red Sea Global sustainable tourism destination in Saudi Arabia later this year, they will touch down at an airport run entirely by renewable energy and designed to include shaded areas and natural ventilation that minimises reliance on air conditioning. They will continue their journey to a resort […] January 12, 2023
Analysis Agriculture Export deal with India tipped to boost Morocco’s fertiliser industry Morocco is set to sign a long-term agreement with India to export rock phosphate, a key ingredient in fertiliser. The North African country is already one of the largest producers of phosphates and fertilisers, but the India deal is expected to lead to other agreements with governments around the world, according to an industry analyst. […] January 11, 2023
Transport Morocco looking for private partners to fund $38bn rail plans Morocco’s ambitious plans to connect the country through a high-speed national rail link requires “innovative financing solutions based on public-private partnerships”, says Mohamed Abdeljalil, minister of transport and logistics. The Morocco Rail Plan, led by the National Railways Office (ONCF), is estimated to cost 400 billion dinars ($38.1 billion), according to the Moroccan News Agency. […] January 5, 2023
Manufacturing Japan to invest $187m in Moroccan automotive industry Japanese group Sumitomo is to invest MAD1.965 billion ($187 million) in nine industrial projects across Morocco to boost the North African country’s automotive ecosystem. Regions set to benefit from the investment in the manufacturing of wiring and components include Rabat-Salé-Kenitra, Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima and Casablanca-Settat. Some 16,000 jobs are expected to be created by 2028. Morocco […] December 22, 2022
Tech Abu Dhabi’s Dana turns focus on Moroccan agtech solutions Dana Global, a desert tech venture builder and investment platform based in Abu Dhabi, is partnering with Agadir Horticultural Complex to help transform agriculture in Morocco. The Agadir region forms the heart of Morocco’s agricultural industry and provides 9 percent of national GDP while processing 90 percent of the country’s fresh produce market. The region […] December 21, 2022
Food & Drink $5.5m initiative for food security in Mediterranean countries A new $5.5 million package of technical assistance to improve food security in Tunisia, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco and the West Bank and Gaza has been agreed by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations. The joint initiative, which will be launched in January, is […] December 21, 2022
Opinion Tourism Morocco’s World Cup journey must be capitalised upon National football team's success can inspire wider opportunities December 13, 2022
Energy Morocco mulls hydrogen energy deal with Asia’s richest man Morocco is ramping up plans to become a major producer and exporter of green hydrogen, and the investment deals reportedly on the table include with Indian billionaire Gautam Adani. Named as Asia’s richest person, Adani is the chairman and founder of Adani Group, a multinational conglomerate with interests spanning the port development, industrial, logistics, and […] December 8, 2022
Energy Morocco targets 30% drop in energy costs via renewables boost Morocco’s government has announced plans to reduce energy costs for factories by 20-30 percent through a combined strategy of investing in renewable energy and the decarbonisation of industries. “The government is working on delivering clean electricity to all manufacturers at a lower cost compared to what they are paying now,” Morocco’s minister of industry and […] November 29, 2022
Development UK launches £4bn finance support to boost trade with Morocco Moroccan importers can access up to £4 billion ($4.85 billion) in trade finance to help buy goods and services from the United Kingdom, British officials announced this week. To be eligible for support from UK Export Finance (UKEF) at least 20 percent of the overall contract value for a project must be sourced from British […] November 25, 2022
Analysis Business of Sport Qatar scores, with vital assists from Iran, Turkey and the UAE Alongside the massive investment and the 12 years of preparation, Qatar has called in more than a few favours to aid the smooth running of the World Cup. While its allies have proved keen to help, Doha has had to tiptoe carefully around the geopolitical faultlines that run through the Gulf. Turkey has sent more […] November 21, 2022
Analysis Agriculture Morocco aims to become the world’s premier fertiliser producer Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has upset the global agricultural industry in more ways than one – but for Morocco, one of the world’s largest fertiliser producers, it has presented an opportunity. Not only were Russia and Ukraine some of the world’s most important wheat and grain exporters, but they also played a central role in […] November 15, 2022
Energy ‘Encouraging’ signs for UK firm’s $206m Moroccan gas deal British firm Sound Energy has announced that it is extending negotiations with Morocco’s largest bank over a $206 million deal for the Grand Tendrara and Anoual exploration permits. The London-headquartered company, which has a wholly owned subsidiary in Morocco, has until December 15 this year to agree terms of a financing agreement with Attijariwafa Bank. […] November 3, 2022
Banking & Finance Morocco shores up finances by choosing IMF deal over bonds Morocco has not issued an international bond this year due to market volatility and higher interest rates, opting instead for an International Monetary Fund (IMF) credit line to shore up public finances, the finance minister said on Tuesday. Last time Morocco issued an international bond was in 2020 when it raised $3 billion. “This year […] October 26, 2022
Trade UK drinks firms raise glass to Morocco and Tunisia trade deal British drinks companies have raised a glass after the UK removed trade barriers that deterred alcohol sales to Morocco and Tunisia. The changes in the countries, which extends to Argentina and Angola as well, will help the UK’s products to reach millions of new potential customers and boost alcohol exports, which reached £6.5 billion last […] October 17, 2022
GITEX 2022 Tech Gitex plans first venture outside Gulf: a 2023 show in Morocco The tech show organiser is running an exhibition in Marrakech next year to 'explore new ventures in the world’s rising tech continent' October 12, 2022
Economy Morocco’s economic growth slows as agriculture slumps Morocco’s economic growth is projected at 1.8 percent in the third quarter of 2022, compared to 2 percent in the previous year, Morocco World News has reported, citing the country’s Higher Commission for Planning. The agriculture sector’s contribution fell by 15.2 percent and is expected to decrease further by almost 16 percent at the end of 2022, […] October 10, 2022
