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Morocco World
a day ago
- Health
- Morocco World
Operation Marhaba 2025: 29 Ships Prepare for 3.5 Million Travelers
Doha – Morocco has finalized preparations for Operation Marhaba 2025, focusing on four key priorities: traffic flow management, strengthened security, proximity support, and enhanced health vigilance. Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita outlined these measures during a weekly oral questions session at the House of Councilors on Tuesday. The maritime component will feature 29 vessels from seven shipping companies operating 12 routes from ports in Italy, France, and Spain. Approximately MAD 28 million ($2.8 million) has been allocated to improve reception infrastructure at the Tanger-Med port. This year's operation anticipates an exceptional influx of approximately 3.5 million travelers, mainly Moroccans residing in Europe, representing a 4% increase from previous years. An estimated 890,000 vehicles are expected to cross the strait this summer, marking a 5% increase. This rise may be linked to the Spanish government's regularization program, allowing thousands of migrants to normalize their status and travel. The operation will feature over 12,000 maritime crossings—an 84% increase compared to 2004. 'Security and safety will be reinforced through enhanced border control mechanisms,' Bourita said. The operation will deploy 24 reception centers—18 within Morocco and six abroad—along with additional human resources in accordance with royal instructions. Read also: Marhaba 2024: Nearly 1.9 Million Passengers Have Passed Through Moroccan Ports The 36th meeting of the Moroccan-Spanish joint commission, initially planned for Tangier but relocated to Cadiz, finalized coordination measures that will be implemented between June 15 and September 15. Consulates will maintain their traditional extended schedule during this period, including weekend and holiday service. Staff numbers will increase, and mobile consulates will be established 'to support this large-scale operation under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, benefiting three million citizens,' according to the minister. Health vigilance remains a priority with specialized teams positioned along routes and at rest areas. 'The goal is to improve this operation year after year, to meet His Majesty the King's ambition,' Bourita noted. A massive joint workforce of approximately 60,000 personnel will be mobilized across all sectors. Spanish authorities announced the recruitment of at least 29,000 people, while Morocco will deploy a similar number of participants, including official institutions, administrations, volunteers, the Mohammed V Foundation for Solidarity, and other stakeholders. Preparations have involved multiple meetings of the National Transit Commission, chaired by the Interior Ministry. Another Moroccan-Spanish meeting was held in Cadiz on May 29, along with various thematic sectoral meetings. Streamlined reentry for Moroccan expats The Customs and Indirect Tax Administration (ADII) announced new facilities for Moroccan expatriates on May 28. Notably, Moroccans aged 60 and above who have lived abroad for at least ten years can now benefit from a 90% reduction on the value of imported vehicles. Provincial and Prefectural Customs Directors can now validate applications based on authenticated documents, including residence certificates, foreign ID cards with overseas addresses, or consular registration cards. The administration has also simplified procedures for returning expatriates, who can benefit from a three-year aging allowance on their vehicle's age, limited to one vehicle per person and once in a lifetime. Previously required two-year pay slips for employees or tax declarations for merchants are no longer necessary. In Ceuta, authorities have launched a mobile application called 'Embolsamiento Ceuta' to manage traffic flow toward Morocco. Available in Spanish, French, and English, the app provides real-time estimates of waiting times at the Tarajal border crossing. Users receive a digital ticket with a QR code required for entry and exit from the regulation area, with paper tickets available for those without smartphones. Ceuta has also increased staffing with up to ten agents daily working in three shifts. Infrastructure improvements include more shaded areas and new drinking water points. Traffic forecasts predict a 4% increase in travelers and 5% in vehicles compared to last year, despite a slight decline in personal car travel. Tags: Marhaba 2025Marhaba operationNasser Bourita
Japan Times
29-05-2025
- Business
- Japan Times
Japan offering fund to aid U.S. shipbuilding as part of tariff negotiations
Japan has offered to establish a fund to help revive the U.S. shipbuilding industry as part of tariff negotiations between the two countries, it was learned Wednesday. The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump aims to strengthen his country's shipbuilding capacity from an economic security perspective, and Tokyo hopes that offering cooperation in this field will lead to concessions from Washington in tariff talks. On Wednesday, the steering committee of the House of Councilors approved a four-day trip to the United States from Thursday by economic revitalization minister Ryosei Akazawa, Japan's chief tariff negotiator. During the trip, Akazawa will hold the fourth ministerial-level session of the tariff talks on Friday local time. The session is expected to be attended by U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who was absent from the previous session. The committee also approved Akazawa's three-day trip to France from Tuesday to attend a meeting of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. Akazawa voiced his eagerness to advance the tariff negotiations with the United States, even during the trip to France. "If we have an opportunity to engage in tariff discussions with the United States, we will prioritize that above all else," he told reporters at the Prime Minister's Office. In the global shipbuilding market, China holds a dominant share. That has sparked national security concerns in the United States, where the shipbuilding industry has declined. The United States has called on allies including Japan to help revive the sector. "The United States is interested in whether U.S. warships can be repaired in Japan," Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba told reporters in Maizuru, Kyoto Prefecture, on Sunday. Referring to the growing importance of Arctic shipping routes and icebreakers, Ishiba also noted that "Japan has an advantage in icebreaker technology." Also on the agenda for the upcoming tariff session is Japan's support for maintaining repair docks in the United States. Tokyo hopes to accelerate the tariff talks, with a view to striking an agreement at a possible bilateral summit on the sidelines of the Group of Seven leaders' meeting next month. As the two countries are still divided over matters such as additional auto tariffs, it remains to be seen how much middle ground the two sides can find on shipbuilding cooperation.
Japan Times
15-05-2025
- Health
- Japan Times
Over-the-counter drugs to be made available at convenience stores
Parliament on Wednesday enacted a bill that will allow people to pick up over-the-counter drugs from convenience stores and other outlets without pharmacists. The bill to revise the pharmaceuticals and medical devices law was approved at a plenary meeting of the House of Councilors following its passage through the House of Representatives last month. The revised law will require consumers to listen to explanations from pharmacists online before purchases. It will take effect by around spring 2027. The government expects the new system to be used also in areas with few pharmacies, such as remote islands and mountainous areas. The current law does not allow stores without pharmacists to sell OTC drugs. As of February 2023, the proportion of convenience stores that can sell such drugs stood at only 0.7% of some 57,000 convenience stores across the country, according to an industry group. Under the revised law, people will be able to listen to explanations on cautionary notes about drugs from pharmacists online and receive a certificate via email. They will then be able to get OTC drugs by showing such a certificate at convenience stores. There are also plans for making possible the picking up of the drugs from vending machines. The revised law will also include a regulation on purchases of cold medicines for younger generations, setting a limit of one small package per person to avoid abuse. The regulation will take effect within a year after its promulgation. The revised law will also require pharmacies to confirm the age of consumers and purchase histories in other stores. Target ages for the rule will be decided later by the health ministry. The requirement will not be applied to older purchasers, but sellers will be mandated to ask reasons for purchases. Warnings on abuse will be necessary on packages.
14-05-2025
- Health
OTC Drugs to Be Available at Convenience Stores in Japan
News from Japan Politics May 14, 2025 19:51 (JST) Tokyo, May 14 (Jiji Press)--Japan's parliament on Wednesday enacted a bill that will allow people to pick up over-the-counter drugs at convenience stores and other outlets without pharmacists. The bill to revise the pharmaceuticals and medical devices law was approved at a plenary meeting of the House of Councilors, the upper chamber of the Diet, the country's parliament, following its passage through the House of Representatives, the lower chamber, last month. The revised law will require consumers to listen to explanations from pharmacists online before purchases. It will take effect by around spring 2027. The government expects the new system to be used also in areas with few pharmacies, such as remote islands and mountainous areas. The current law does not allow stores without pharmacists to sell OTC drugs. As of February 2023, the proportion of convenience stores that can sell such drugs stood at only 0.7 pct of some 57,000 convenience stores across the country, according to an industry group. Under the revised law, people will be able to listen to explanations on cautionary notes about drugs from pharmacists online and receive a certificate via email. They will then be able to get OTC drugs by showing such a certificate at convenience stores. Picking up the drugs from vending machines is planned to be possible. [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.] Jiji Press
Morocco World
11-05-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
Ambassador: Pakistan Strives to Be Part of Morocco's ‘Bright Future'
Rabat – In an exclusive interview with Morocco World News (MWN), Pakistan's Ambassador to Morocco, Syed Adil Gilani, shed light on the growing diplomatic momentum between the two nations. Responding to both countries' growing relations, the ambassador stressed the deep historical ties and outlined ambitious plans for future cooperation across political, economic, and strategic spheres. The ambassador spoke of a recently forged bilateral agreement facilitated by Morocco's House of Councilors. To him, the agreement aims to strengthen ties in politics, economics, and defense. 'The main objective is to create lasting partnerships that bring the people of our two brotherly nations closer together,' he said. To ensure practical implementation of the agreement, both countries have designated official focal points — one nominated by the Moroccan side and one by the Pakistani Senate — to coordinate efforts and monitor progress. Through this partnership, the two sides 'can communicate and make the next programs, according to the agreed agreement, and practically implement them.' The ambassador pointed out that the parliamentary agreement won't be just symbolic, adding that clear action plans and expectations for increased trade, defense coordination, and cultural exchange are there. When asked about specific initiatives on the horizon to boost the ties between Rabat and Islamabad, Gilani reflected on the longstanding friendship between the two countries — one that predates Morocco's independence in 1956. Even before independence, Pakistan stood beside Morocco, he noted, saying, 'when Moroccans who were struggling for their independence from French rule, Pakistan assisted Moroccan independent efforts by facilitating it.' The ambassador believes that these are the roots of the relationship that ties Morocco and Pakistan. Looking forward, Gilani expressed his commitment to enhancing bilateral trade, which he described as 'phenomenal but far below potential.' 'We will explore avenues to increase imports and exports and identify industries where both countries can collaborate more closely,' he said to MWN. He encouraged Pakistani business leaders and consulting firms to invest in Morocco's growing economy. Gilani described Morocco's potential as immense, adding that Pakistani 'expertise can contribute to Morocco's development — especially in textiles, machinery, and professional services.' Insights on Mohammed VI's leadership Recognizing Morocco's unique geographic and historical significance, the ambassador called the country a strategic bridge. 'I am really impressed with the King Morocco, Mohammed VI and his administration and the way he has controlled this country's resources and administrative action he has taken,' Gilani said, noting that King Mohammed VI's leadership is positioning Morocco at the height of development and providing it with successes in Europe, Africa, and the Muslim world. He continued describing the King's vision to make Morocco the most peaceful country in the world, adding that the country has 'actually no issue.' The ambassador also spoke of how King Mohammed VI 'drives in all the Muslim countries and all the kings, every King respects him as a senior, most and most experienced.' Speaking of Morocco's economy, Gilani noted that the country's GDP will increase in the coming four years, especially with the 2030 FIFA World Cup the North African country is co-hosting with Spain and Portugal. 'Morocco was the gateway of Islam to Europe for nearly 800 years. Today, it serves as the gateway to Africa, linking Europe, Asia, and beyond. It is one of the most stable economies in the region,' he noted. Giving high remarks for Morocco's monarchy, he added, 'King Mohammed VI leads the oldest continuous dynasty in the world, dating back to 1631.' 'This continuity is rare and offers remarkable political stability, which makes Morocco an ideal partner,' Gilani added, commending the King's achievements in various fields that improved the North African country. The ambassador concluded expressing Pakistan's eagerness to be part of Morocco's future, which he described as 'very bright.' Tags: MoroccoMorocco Pakistan relatiosnPakistab
