Latest news with #Baitas
Morocco World
13 hours ago
- Business
- Morocco World
Marhaba 2025: Morocco to Boost Maritime Transport with 520 Weekly Sailings
Rabat– Morocco will boost its special maritime passenger transport to and from southern Europe with 520 weekly sailings under the Marhaba 2025 operation. This was announced Thursday by Mustapha Baitas, government spokesperson and Minister Delegate for Relations with Parliament. Speaking after the weekly government council meeting, Baitas said that the operation, will increase transport capacity to 500,000 passengers and 130,000 vehicles per week. To meet this demand, 29 vessels from seven shipping companies will operate 12 routes connecting Moroccan ports with key ports in Italy, France, and Spain. The operation also focuses on strengthening security by enhancing border control equipment and offering close support through 24 reception centers—18 inside Morocco and six abroad. Specialized medical teams will be deployed along major roads and rest areas to ensure travelers' health and safety. Additionally, consular services will be mobilized on weekends and holidays from June 15 to September 15 to assist travelers. This year's Marhaba operation is set against expectations of an unprecedented influx of about 3.5 million travelers, primarily Moroccans living in Europe, representing a 4% increase over previous years. Around 890,000 vehicles are expected to cross the Strait of Gibraltar, marking a 5% rise that may be partly attributed to Spain's migrant regularization program. An investment of approximately MAD 28 million (around $2.8 million) has been dedicated to upgrading reception infrastructure at Tanger-Med port to better handle the flow. Overall, Marhaba 2025 aims to ensure smooth traffic management, enhanced security, proximity support, and heightened health vigilance, in line with royal directives to guarantee a safe and efficient return for Moroccans abroad during the summer season. Tags: Marhaba 2025Morocco TourismTourism
Ya Biladi
14 hours ago
- Business
- Ya Biladi
Welcome 2025: 520 Weekly Maritime Connections Between Morocco and Southern Europe
The special offer for passenger maritime transport between Morocco and southern Europe as part of the Marhaba 2025 operation will be enhanced by 520 weekly crossings to accommodate the expected flow during the summer period, stated Mustapha Baitas, the Minister Delegate in charge of Relations with Parliament and government spokesperson, on Thursday. In response to journalists' questions following the government council meeting, the minister emphasized that as part of the Marhaba 2025 operation, the capacity of the special maritime transport offer has been increased to 500,000 passengers and 130,000 vehicles per week. In this regard, Baitas reported the mobilization of 29 ships belonging to seven maritime companies to ensure 12 routes between Moroccan ports and those in Italy, France, and Spain. The efforts made to ensure the success of this operation also focus on improving security through the strengthening of border control equipment and close support via 24 reception centers, including 18 within the national territory and 6 abroad, in addition to the mobilization of specialized medical teams on the roads and in rest areas, he stated. He continued by saying that consular services will be mobilized, as usual, on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays from June 15 to September 15.
Morocco World
25-04-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
Morocco Pledges Over MAD 45 Billion to Social Dialogue Program by 2026
Rabat — Moroccan Delegate-Minister to the Head of Government and spokesperson Mustapha Baitas announced that the country's social dialogue program is projected to cost MAD 45.7 billion ($4.93 billion) by 2026, with expenditures expected to exceed MAD 46.7 billion in 2027. Speaking after the weekly cabinet meeting on Thursday, April 24, Baitas described the government's efforts as 'exceptional and unprecedented in the history of social dialogue,' noting that the initiative will directly benefit more than 1.1 million civil servants. The reforms are set to positively impact millions of Moroccan households, with the average net monthly salary anticipated to reach MAD 10,100 ($1088) by 2026. The minimum wage for civil servants will also see a significant increase to MAD 4,500 ($485) as of July 1, representing a 50% boost. Baitas added that, towards these efforts, social dialogue is serving as a strategic mechanism to reinforce gains for the working class and advance labor rights in the country. Earlier this week, Morocco's Minister of Economic Inclusion Younes Sekkouri reaffirmed the government's commitment to fulfilling its promises under the social dialogue framework. He confirmed that the second MAD 500 ($53) salary increase will be disbursed in July 2025, following the initial MAD 500 raise granted last year. The latest round of the government's social dialogue efforts began on April 22, led by Head of Government Aziz Akhannouch. The event brought together senior officials, labor union representatives, and private sector stakeholders to evaluate achievements, address pending reforms, and resolve sector-specific issues. The discussions also included a renewed pledge to institutionalize social dialogue and prioritize the concerns of local government employees. Morocco's current institutional framework for social dialogue dates back to April 2022, when a landmark agreement was signed between the government, labor unions, and employers under Akhannouch's leadership. This signals the larger role of social dialogue in building reform in the Moroccan government — not as a one-time negotiation, but as a foundational pillar of long-term social and economic policy.
Maroc
25-04-2025
- Business
- Maroc
Morocco's Social Dialogue Measures to Cost $4.9 Billion by 2026 – Govt. Spokesperson
Morocco's social dialogue measures will cost MAD 45.7 billion ($4.93 Billion) by 2026 and are projected to surpass MAD 46.7 billion in 2027, Government Spokesperson Mustapha Baitas said Thursday following the weekly cabinet meeting. Describing the effort as 'exceptional and unprecedented in the history of social dialogue,' Baitas said the financial commitment will benefit more than 1.1 million civil servants, impacting millions of Moroccan households. The average net monthly salary is expected to rise to MAD 10,100 by 2026, he added. The net minimum wage for civil servants will also be increased to MAD 4,500 starting July 1, marking a 50% rise. The government is positioning social dialogue as a strategic tool to consolidate achievements for the working class and advance labor rights, Baitas said. MAP: 24 avril 2025
Morocco World
10-04-2025
- Politics
- Morocco World
Govt. Spokesperson: Recent Algerian Cyber Attacks Aim to Undermine Morocco's Sahara Gains
Rabat – Morocco's government responded to the recent cyberattacks that targeted several Moroccan websites, including that of the Ministry of Economic Integration. Spokesperson for the Moroccan government, Mustapha Baita, described the cyberattacks as 'criminal,' noting that they came at a particularly suspicious time. 'This is a criminal act that, unfortunately, targets several countries and institutions. These cyberattacks are undoubtedly an attempt to undermine the Kingdom's successive diplomatic breakthroughs regarding the national cause,' Baitas said. Baitas further explained that the attacks were instigated by hostile forces and led to the leak of certain data related to Morocco's National Social Security Fund (CNSS). 'These cyberattacks occurred on the very day the United States reaffirmed its recognition of Morocco's sovereignty over the Sahara,' Baitas added. On Tuesday, the US stressed its unchanged position on Western Sahara, noting that the Autonomy Plan is the most feasible political position to end the dispute. This came as a strong blow to Algeria's regime, which continues to sponsor the Polisario Front and harbor the separatist group on its soil to undermine and challenge Morocco's territorial integrity and sovereignty over its southern provinces in Western Sahara. The US recognized Morocco's sovereignty over its southern provinces in December 2020 under Donald Trump. After his departure, Algeria's regime lobbied to convince former President Joe Biden to reverse Trump's proclamation. To its dismay, Biden's administration upheld the decision, which had been reaffirmed by Trump's administration earlier this week. 'This represents a great victory for our country and for the national cause,' Baitas said, noting that the US recognition of Morocco's sover eignty over the Sahara is a 'continuation of the historical position of the U.S administration regarding the national cause.' Baitas also highlighted the growing international support for Morocco's Sahara position, noting that this support 'is clearly unsettling the enemies of our country, to the point that they resort to such hostile acts.' The Moroccan government spokesperson also highlighted that some of the leaked documents published by the attackers were either fake or altered, affirming that the competent judicial authorities have been notified by the CNSS. The leaks sparked a debate in Morocco, with many questioning the government in the wake of the cyberattacks. The attacks took place on April 8 and were attributed to an Algerian hacking group, which claimed responsibility for the attack.
