Latest news with #AzizAkhannouch
Morocco World
3 days ago
- Business
- Morocco World
Morocco Officially Launches 2025–2027 Foreign Trade Roadmap
Doha – Morocco has officially launched its 2025-2027 Foreign Trade Roadmap, aiming to create 76,000 new jobs and generate an additional MAD 84 billion ($8.4 billion) in export revenues. The plan was unveiled in Casablanca on Wednesday during a ceremony chaired by Head of Government Aziz Akhannouch. The new roadmap focuses on three strategic objectives: job creation, expanding the export base by establishing 400 new export companies annually, and boosting export revenues. 'Through this roadmap, we aim to generate additional export revenue of more than 80 billion dirhams,' Akhannouch said during the launch ceremony. 'It also aims to broaden the exporter base, with the goal of reaching an average of 400 new exporters per year.' The strategy adopts an integrated and participatory approach structured around four intervention levers and six cross-cutting reforms. These include accelerating the digitalization of foreign trade and creating regional support offices across the country. Akhannouch stressed that the roadmap reflects King Mohammed VI's vision of economic openness. 'Our country, in perfect harmony with His Majesty's enlightened vision, has made a resolute choice for economic openness, driven by the deep conviction that integration into international trade is a fundamental lever for economic growth,' he stated. The government hopes the plan will improve the coverage rate of imports by exports by strengthening national exports and directing economic policies toward maintaining financial and commercial sustainability. Earlier this month, Akhannouch held a meeting in Rabat where the Secretary of State for Foreign Trade, Omar Hejira, presented the strategic plan. During that meeting, the prime minister talked about the importance of supporting Moroccan small and medium enterprises interested in entering the export sector. Read also: Morocco Eyes Major Export Boost to Egypt, Targets $500 Million by 2027 The roadmap's development followed months of preparation. In January, Hejira revealed that the plan was based on 524 proposals collected during a regional tour, with 80% coming from Morocco's regions and 20% from the ministry. The strategy also includes establishing 12 regional offices dedicated to foreign trade development across Morocco. Additionally, a chatbot for foreign trade will be launched to facilitate interaction between stakeholders and the ministry. Currently, 92% of Moroccan exports are concentrated in six key sectors: automotive (34.4%), agriculture and food industries (19.3%), phosphates and derivatives (17.8%), leather products (10.7%), aviation (5.3%), and electronics (4.3%). The roadmap also aims to address Morocco's trade imbalances. In 2023, Moroccan exports reached MAD 430 billion ($43 billion), compared to MAD 716 billion ($71.6 billion) in imports, resulting in a trade deficit of MAD 286 billion ($28.6 billion). A ministerial study updated in 2023 identified MAD 120 billion ($12 billion) in untapped export opportunities, with 10% related to African markets. To boost African trade, a new complementary public export insurance scheme will be launched in early June, initially covering commercial and political risks for buyers from 15 strategic African countries. The implementation of the roadmap will also include strengthening exports from the handicraft and social and solidarity economy sectors, as well as creating regional foreign trade support offices across all regions of the kingdom.
Ya Biladi
3 days ago
- Politics
- Ya Biladi
Agadir man arrested for Facebook death threats against Moroccan PM
Estimated read time: 1' Following a complaint lodged by Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch, a young man was arrested in Agadir on charges of making death threats, defamation, and inciting violence. These charges relate to posts he published on Facebook. Media sources indicate that the detained individual had posted direct threats and incitement in both Arabic and Amazigh on his Facebook account, reportedly reacting to the prevailing rise in prices across Morocco. The competent public prosecutor's office has ordered his provisional detention as part of an ongoing investigation into the full circumstances and context of the controversial posts.
Maroc
3 days ago
- Politics
- Maroc
Moroccan Government Achieves Goals of Royal Plan on Social Protection- Govt. Head
The government succeeded in achieving the objectives of the Royal initiative to generalize social protection, aimed at strengthening social cohesion and promoting equitable access for all citizens to their fundamental rights, Government Head Aziz Akhannouch on Tuesday at the House of Councillors. Speaking during the monthly session dedicated to oral questions on general policy relating to the consolidation of the foundations of equity and social protection, Akhannouch emphasized that "the social protection initiative is emblematic of the Kingdom's civilizational and humanitarian depth, and reflects the pioneering nature of Morocco's reform model." This Royal project served as a foundation for the government's social responsibility and a guiding framework for establishing strong and inclusive social protection systems, he added, stressing that "driving structural transformation in the social field has become an urgent necessity, forming the core of a modern social state that ensures social justice and promotes inclusive and sustainable development." Furthermore, Akhannouch stated that the government has adopted an integrated vision to accompany the various changes taking place in the social protection sector, with the aim of increasing its effectiveness. "The development of institutional governance, along with the strengthening of its technical, logistical, and financial capacities, constitutes the operational arm responsible for translating governmental interventions into a genuine social bond with tangible effects on the ground," he stressed. In addition, the government has allocated a significant budget to the Direct Social Assistance Program—25 billion dirhams (MAD) for the year 2024 and 26.5 billion MAD for the current year, with the goal of reaching 29 billion MAD by 2026, Akhannouch said. He noted that this program, generalized in accordance with the High Royal Instructions, is intended to address various aspects of the social deficit faced by vulnerable families, with the ambition of targeting 4 million households—approximately 60% of families not currently covered by a family allowance scheme. The program is based on providing eligible families with a monthly social allowance, starting from a minimum of 500 MAD and reaching up to 1,200 MAD, depending on the household composition and the specific situation of its members, he concluded. MAP: 27 mai 2025
Morocco World
4 days ago
- Business
- Morocco World
Akhannouch: Morocco Ranks 2nd in Africa with 2% of GDP on Social Aid
Doha – Morocco has allocated MAD 26.5 billion ($2.65 billion) for the Direct Social Aid program in 2025. The government aims to increase this budget to MAD 29 billion ($2.9 billion) by 2026. Head of Government Aziz Akhannouch announced these figures Tuesday at the Chamber of Counselors. Morocco now ranks second in Africa for social spending, dedicating about 2% of its GDP to finance this program. The initiative targets 4 million families, representing approximately 60% of households not covered by family allowance schemes. The program provides monthly aid ranging from MAD 500 ($50) to MAD 1,200 ($120) based on family composition and circumstances. Since launching the digital platform ' in December 2023, around 4 million households have benefited from the program. These 4 million households represent nearly 12 million beneficiaries. Of these families, 3.2 million also receive Mandatory Health Insurance (AMO) services. More than 2.4 million households include children, while about 1.5 million have no children. Social transformation takes major leap Over 5.5 million children now receive direct aid through the program. Additionally, more than one million people aged over 60 receive monthly social assistance in the form of lump-sum subsidies. These subsidies aim to preserve the dignity of the elderly, strengthen their purchasing power, and reduce risks associated with aging. The prime minister noted that the government allocated MAD 25 billion ($2.5 billion) to the program for 2024. The government has also strengthened efforts against school dropout rates. About 1.8 million families with 3.1 million students receive exceptional aid. This support amounts to MAD 200 ($20) for primary and middle school, and MAD 300 ($30) for high school, limited to six children per family. Akhannouch revealed that 61% of beneficiaries come from rural areas. This approach aligns with the government's commitment to promoting equal opportunities, especially for rural girls. Currently, 75% of children aged 6 to 20 are covered by school aid. The government has also implemented a birth premium program. Families receive MAD 2,000 ($200) for the first child and MAD 1,000 ($100) for the second. A crucial extension of social coverage By the end of January, 42,800 families had benefited from this initiative. The program aims to improve maternal and child health, strengthen vaccination, and support healthy childhood. Support for widows has seen unprecedented progress. More than 420,000 widows currently benefit from aid, compared to only 75,000 at the end of 2021. Among them, 330,000 have no children, marking a major extension of social coverage. Nearly 87,000 widows care for 97,000 orphaned children, with support expected to reach MAD 400 ($40) per schooled child by 2026. The Mandatory Health Insurance now covers all Moroccan families. The government has integrated more than 4 million vulnerable households into a non-contributory system. These families receive free healthcare and hospitalization in public health facilities. The state ensures the sustainability of this system by covering these families' contributions, amounting to about MAD 9.5 billion ($950 million) annually. Since the launch of this system until March, more than 14 million medical files have been registered with the CNSS agency. These include over 300,000 related to chronic or costly diseases. Nearly 12 million cases have been processed, with a total amount exceeding MAD 17 billion ($1.7 billion). Health insurance in Morocco has made decisive progress with the massive integration of non-salaried and independent workers. Through the adoption of 28 implementing decrees, nearly 3.5 million people now benefit from medical coverage adapted to their income. By April, more than 400 million cases had been filed, with an average of 2,255 per day. Some 360,000 cases have already been processed, for an amount of nearly MAD 1 billion ($100 million). Read also: Education Reform: Akhannouch Reviews Achievements, Charts Path Forward
Morocco World
7 days ago
- Politics
- Morocco World
Over 80% of Moroccans Reject LGBT People, Atheism Stands at Just 0.1%
Doha – Nearly 80% of Moroccans labeled homosexuality as deviant and expressed total rejection of LGBT people, according to Afrobarometer's 2024 survey released Wednesday. Only 2.5% voiced any degree of acceptance. The data lays bare Morocco's firm societal rejection of non-conforming sexual identities and gender expressions. Religious identity remains overwhelmingly uniform: 99.9% of respondents identified as Muslim, while only 0.1% declared themselves atheist. In a country where Islam is both cultural and institutional, these figures place Morocco among the world's most religiously uniform societies, where secular or non-religious identities are virtually invisible. Meanwhile, digital connectivity is high: over 96% own a mobile phone, and 80% access the internet. Additionally, 58% report having personal bank accounts. 81.5% feel no connection to any political party The survey also revealed deep political disillusionment. Over 81% of Moroccans feel no connection to any political party, with only 9% expressing party affiliation. Trust in political institutions remains low, with parties barely reaching 15% approval ratings. Current Head of Government Aziz Akhannouch faces serious disapproval, with 37.9% reporting complete distrust and 32.2% rejecting his performance outright. The report also shows 44% of Moroccans believe the government has failed to improve conditions for the poor. About 36.1% rated the government's job creation efforts as 'very poor,' while 42.4% gave the same rating for price stabilization efforts. Corruption allegations further undermine confidence, with 45% of citizens believing most parliamentarians are involved in corrupt practices. The death penalty maintains strong support, with 70.4% of Moroccans backing its use for serious crimes like murder. Only 25% believe no crime justifies capital punishment. The judiciary, however, maintains relatively high public confidence, with over 68% of Moroccans placing complete trust in the courts. On international relations, approximately 60% support Morocco's neutrality in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Only 5% believe Morocco should back Russia against Ukraine. The survey also revealed that 55% of Moroccans have never considered emigrating. However, among those who have, economic factors dominate their motivation – 22.1% cite better job opportunities and 5.3% seek broader business prospects abroad. When it comes to reproductive rights, 33.6% hold that abortion is justified when pregnancy threatens a woman's health. However, 33% reject abortion even in cases of rape or incest, and 56% oppose it when financial difficulties are cited as the reason. Regarding civic participation, 76% of citizens want their opinions considered before public policies are formulated, pushing back against unilateral decision-making. Looking ahead to upcoming legislative elections, 34.1% of respondents indicated they won't vote. Among decided voters, support is fragmented: 4% for the Istiqlal Party, 3.8% each for the Justice and Development Party (PJD) and Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM), and just 3.2% for the National Rally of Independents (RNI). Read also: Multidimensional Poverty Drops in Morocco, But Rural Inequalities Persist
