Author: Web Desk

Sidi Ouaaziz (Taroudant) – The reconstruction and upgrading efforts in the province of Taroudant continue to revitalize the agricultural sector, which has been established as the top priority after the earthquake of September 2023.

The rehabilitation of hydro-agricultural infrastructures, maintenance of irrigation channels (Seguias), creation and equipping of water points, construction of agricultural roads, and erosion control structures are among the initiatives being implemented across the province.

In this context, an emergency program for the reconstruction and upgrading of agriculture in the areas affected by the earthquake was launched with the goal of promoting and revitalizing agricultural activities.

This program aims to rehabilitate agricultural infrastructures by combating erosion, landslides, and collapse, as well as strengthening agricultural economic infrastructures through the development and equipping of processing units and cooperative buildings.

Emphasis is also placed on restoring agri
cultural production capacity and reviving livestock farming through the replenishment of herds (distribution of livestock to disaster victims), the distribution of livestock feed, and the implementation of solidarity agriculture projects and other income-generating activities.

In a statement to MAP, Lahcen Jaby, Head of the Agricultural Sector Development Division at the Souss-Massa Regional Agricultural Development Office, highlighted that the 2023 earthquake particularly impacted agricultural infrastructures, the irrigation network, and both agricultural and livestock production chains.

He noted that the implementation of the emergency program has contributed to the revitalization and development of the affected agricultural activity, especially through the revival of livestock farming, free distribution of barley to livestock farmers affected by the disaster, and the rehabilitation of hydro-agricultural infrastructures.

The emergency plan also focused on improving access to farms and plots of land by re
habilitating and constructing agricultural roads, as well as upgrading the processing units for local products, he explained.

For his part, Mohamed Al Mansouri, a farmer from the Sidi Ouaaziz commune (province of Taroudant), expressed his great satisfaction with the emergency measures taken by the Ministry of Agriculture to mitigate the effects of this natural disaster on the agricultural sector.

In this regard, he expressed his deep gratitude to HM King Mohammed VI for the Sovereign’s High Solicitude towards the families affected by the earthquake, since the first hours following this natural disaster.

A similar sentiment was echoed by Abdelmalek Bazi, an association leader and farmer from the Talgjount commune, who praised the continuous improvement of agricultural activity in the province of Taroudant, thanks to the numerous projects carried out under the emergency program, the efforts of the concerned parties, and the support provided to farmers.

Source: Agence Marocaine De Presse

Hefei (China) – Head of Government Aziz Akhannouch visited the Gotion High Tech factory on Friday in Hefei, China, and inquired about the progress of works at the Kenitra gigafactory, during a working meeting with the group’s chairman, Zen Li.

On the sidelines of his trip to Beijing to represent HM King Mohammed VI at the Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), Akhannouch also visited the Gotion High Tech’s “United Cell Line” gigafactory, considered the “signature” factory of Gotion High Tech and the Volkswagen Group in China.

On this occasion, the President of Gotion High Tech confirmed compliance with the project schedule, pointing out that the construction works of the industrial unit should be completed within eight months in accordance with the group’s commitments.

The Kenitra gigafactory is an integrated electric battery production project, the first phase of which will require an investment of 14 billion dirhams and will create 17,000 jobs. Operations will start at the second quarte
r of 2026.

The Head of Government reiterated the government’s commitment to actively support this strategic project, which will allow Morocco to acquire the first gigafactory in the Middle East and Africa region.

The Gotion High Tech gigafactory project in Kenitra is also part of a broader momentum of developing an electric battery ecosystem in Morocco.

This project will integrate and create synergies with other ongoing strategic initiatives, such as the project led by the JV CNGR and Al Mada in Jorf Lasfar.

On this occasion, the Moroccan delegation visited the ‘Unified Cell Line’ gigafactory, the result of the technological collaboration between the Volkswagen group and Gotion High Tech. Built on an area of 45,000 m2 with a production capacity of 180,000 battery systems per year intended to equip Volkswagen electric vehicles produced in China, this unit is fully automated and equipped with the most advanced technologies, making this unit the ‘signature’ factory of the Gotion High Tech group in China.

This visit allowed the delegation to see first-hand the operation of a battery factory similar to the one planned in Morocco, thus reinforcing trust in Gotion High Tech’s ability to carry out a project of such magnitude in Morocco.

Source: Agence Marocaine De Presse

Rabat – The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) hosted a key meeting in Rabat on Thursday, aimed at promoting its “Green Cities” program, which focuses on financing sustainable development projects across Morocco. The event brought together local authorities, financial experts, and regional leaders to discuss the pivotal role of cities in tackling climate change and to explore available financing models for supporting local investment programs.

The gathering included experts from Morocco’s General Directorate of Local Authorities (DGCT) and the Moroccan Capital Market Authority (AMMC). The discussions centered on how cities can address the growing challenges of climate change and energy transition, and on the financial tools available to support these efforts.

Antoine Sallé de Chou, EBRD’s Director for Morocco, highlighted that the “Green Cities” program targets local authorities in countries where the Bank operates, particularly municipalities and regions. He stressed that the initiativ
e aims to assist these entities in developing their investment programs to confront climate change and advance energy transition goals.

The program, active in 50 cities worldwide, has mobilized pound 5 billion to enhance sustainable development infrastructure, including sustainable mobility, public lighting, and water management. Sallé de Chou also noted that the program has already been launched in Agadir and, more recently, in the Guelmim-Oued Noun region.

Mbarka Bouaida, President of the Guelmim-Oued Noun Regional Council, emphasized that cooperation with the EBRD is crucial for diversifying funding sources to address water scarcity. A loan agreement of 131 million dirhams has been signed with the EBRD to supply water to rural areas and modernize wastewater treatment facilities. Bouaida added that the partnership provides not only financial support but also significant technical assistance, leveraging the EBRD’s international expertise.

Rachid El Abdi, President of the Rabat-Salé-Kenitra Regional Counci
l, described the meeting as an opportunity to deepen understanding of sustainable city planning and investment.

He noted Morocco’s growing environmental challenges, including desertification, air pollution, and water stress, and emphasized the need for determined and innovative solutions. El Abdi highlighted the “Green City” concept as a promising solution for a more sustainable future and praised Morocco’s commitment to sustainable development through various initiatives, including solar parks and sustainable agriculture projects.

Mostafa Bouderka, First Vice President of the Agadir municipality, revealed that Agadir was the first local authority in Morocco to use financial markets (bond issuance) to fund its urban development plan. He noted that the investment program is having a significant impact on the city, attracting more tourists, and that the EBRD has contributed nearly 40% of the bond issuance, amounting to 400 million dirhams over 10 years.

Source: Agence Marocaine De Presse

Cairo – The 114th session of the Arab Economic and Social Council at ministerial level kicked off on Thursday at the headquarters of the Arab League General Secretariat, with Morocco’s participation.

In his opening address, Secretary General of the Arab League Ahmed Aboul Gheit stressed that promoting sustainable economic growth in the Arab region calls for a real change in managing hotbeds of crisis and instability.

Global challenges require a new vision of economic integration and complementarity, he noted, adding that the current worldwide trend is to strengthen economic relations and trade between regions, particularly in a context of globalization.

The agenda for this session includes follow-up on the implementation of the previous session’s decisions, activities of the General Secretariat between the 113th and 114th sessions of the Council, the economic and social case of the Arab League Council at the forthcoming Summit in Iraq and several development projects such as the Greater Arab Free Trade Are
a (GAFTA) and the Arab Customs Union.

Several topics will also be discussed at the meeting, including investment within Arab countries, the Moroccan experience in the postal sector, the ‘MADAK’ space initiative, support mechanisms for the Palestinian economy, and the unified Arab discourse for the joint annual meeting of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank (WB).

The meeting will also examine reports of the Arab Organization for Agricultural Development, the Arab strategy for lifelong learning, the Arab decade program for literacy and adult education for the 2025-2034 period, the ‘Culture and the Green Future’ initiative, the creation of the Arab Medicines Agency, and the role of social assistance in education, equity and equal opportunity.

Morocco is represented at this 114th session by a delegation headed by the Kingdom’s Ambassador to Egypt and Permanent Representative to the Arab League Mohamed Ait Ouali, and includes Director of Cultural Heritage at the Ministry of Youth, Culture a
nd Communication Mustapha Jlok, Director of Non-Formal Education at the Ministry of National Education, Preschool and Sports Hssain Oujour, Director of Social Assistance at the same ministry Abdeljalil Benzouina and Head of Division for Relations with the Arab and Islamic World at the Ministry of Economy and Finance Abdessamad El Hamraoui.

Source: Agence Marocaine De Presse