Latest news with #MAD
Morocco World
2 hours ago
- Business
- Morocco World
ONDA Launches Automated Baggage Center at Casablanca's Mohammed V Airport
Marrakech – Morocco's Office National des Aéroports (ONDA) has inaugurated a new automated baggage handling center at Casablanca's Mohammed V Airport. The 'Fast Baggage Center by ONDA' is housed in a completely redesigned 15,200 m² logistics hangar aimed at managing increasing transit flows. The center represents an important technological advancement in the airport's infrastructure. It can now process up to 6,000 bags per hour, with an average handling time of just five minutes. 'This is a major qualitative leap in operational efficiency,' ONDA stated in a Tuesday communiqué. At the core of the system are two interconnected automated sorters that separately manage short and long-haul transit baggage. The center is equipped with latest-generation scanners and explosive detection systems that comply with international standards. The facility features centralized sorting, intelligent indexing stations, oversized baggage control, and an integrated monitoring system. This setup ensures secure transit while reducing energy consumption by 15%. The technological advancement will directly support Royal Air Maroc's expansion, particularly by facilitating large-scale transfer operations to and from Africa. ONDA considers this development part of a broader transformation aimed at positioning Casablanca as a global transit hub capable of handling growing traffic with 'rigor, fluidity, and reliability.' Vision 2030 The centralized configuration is expected to reduce congestion in the airport's traditional baggage circuit, improving waiting times for all arriving passengers. While the Fast Baggage Center is now fully operational, ONDA specified that 'a few weeks of adjustment will be necessary to optimize its operation and fully measure its impact on passengers.' 'With this major development a few months before AFCON 2025,' ONDA said, 'we are demonstrating our ability to anticipate needs, invest where logistical performance is crucial, and carry the national ambition through every stage of the passenger journey.' The baggage center initiative is part of ONDA's broader 'Airports 2030' strategy. This comprehensive plan includes the construction of a new terminal at Mohammed V Airport, currently in its initial phase. The terminal project represents a MAD 15 billion ($1.5 billion) investment and will increase the airport's capacity by 20 million passengers annually. Once completed in 2029, the airport will accommodate up to 35 million travelers yearly, positioning it among Africa's largest and most strategically located airports. The new H-shaped terminal will feature direct access to the Kenitra-Marrakech high-speed rail line, offering travelers quick connections to major Moroccan cities. The design incorporates passenger comfort with three main levels, green spaces, commercial zones, a large duty-free area, VIP lounges, and a hotel. These developments align with Morocco's preparations for co-hosting the 2030 FIFA World Cup and reflect the North African country's vision to establish itself as a major aviation hub connecting Europe, Africa, and the Americas. Read also: Morocco Removes Security Scanners at Mohammed V Airport to Cut Wait Times
Morocco World
a day ago
- Morocco World
Agadir Court Convicts Professor of Defamation Over Master's Degree Scandal
Rabat – The primary court in Agadir on Monday issued its ruling in the defamation case against university professor Ahmed Qilich , who is currently held in pre-trial detention at Oudaya prison in Marrakech. Qilich was facing charges brought by a fellow professor at the Faculty of Legal, Economic, and Social Sciences at Ibn Zohr University, following a complaint filed in 2022. The colleague, head of the private law department, accused him of defamation and insult during an official meeting, after she refused to endorse his master's program file, citing administrative irregularities. In its verdict on the criminal charges, the court acquitted Qilich of the offenses of issuing threats and insulting public officials. But it found him guilty of defaming a woman based on her gender and ordered him to pay a fine of MAD 50,000, in addition to covering court costs and minimum enforcement fees. On the civil side, the court ruled that Qilich must also pay symbolic damages of one dirham to the plaintiff while rejecting the rest of her civil claims. This ruling comes as Qilich remains in detention pending trial in a separate and highly publicized case involving allegations of selling master's degrees and certificates for money—a scandal that has sparked widespread debate in academic and public circles. The detention order in the second case was issued by the investigating judge for financial crimes at the Marrakech Court of Appeals, following an investigation by the National Judicial Police Brigade. According to reports, several other individuals are also involved in the case and have appeared before the King's Attorney General at the same court. This is not the first time such a university scandal has made headlines in Morocco. The incident brings to the surface the ' Sex for Grades ' scandal from 2022. In this case, several Hassan I University professors were arrested in Settat, found guilty of sexually harassing female students in exchange for academic incentives. Tags: ahmed Qilichdiploma scandalIbn Zohr University
Morocco World
2 days ago
- Business
- Morocco World
Morocco Links 2025 AFCON Investments to 2030 World Cup Preparation
Rabat — Morocco's minister in charge of the budget Fouzi Lekjaa has said that the country's infrastructure projects for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) will directly support the country's preparation for the 2030 FIFA World Cup. Speaking at a ministerial conference titled '2030 World Cup: Financial, Institutional and Strategic Challenges' at the National School of Public Administration (ENSA), he explained that the government designed the AFCON investments as part of a continuous strategy to prepare for hosting the World Cup five years later. 'The infrastructures, investments and constructions linked to AFCON 2025 integrate into a coherent and progressive approach to prepare for the 2030 World Cup, guaranteeing a lasting legacy and optimized development of Morocco's sports, economic and territorial spheres,' Lekjaa said. Massive investment program underway The government has committed approximately MAD 150 billion ($15 billion) to infrastructure projects across multiple sectors. The program includes construction of a water treatment plant with a capacity of 2 billion cubic meters to meet industrial and domestic needs. Morocco will finance transportation infrastructure through public-private partnerships, with the state providing annual support of about MAD 1.6 billion ($ million) until 2030, ensuring project continuity and financial viability, according to Lekjaa. The minister detailed that mobility between host cities remains a central challenge. Morocco has already started developing high-speed rail lines and regional express networks to connect Casablanca, Rabat, Tanger, and the southern provinces. These projects will promote territorial and economic integration across the country. Financial structure protects state budget Lekjaa stressed that officials designed the financial structure to avoid burdening the general state budget. Morocco created an innovative financing and operation scheme in partnership with the Deposit and Management Fund (CDG) and the National Company for the Realization and Management of Sports Equipment (SONARGES). This partnership allows for 20-year amortization, guaranteeing investment viability while protecting public finances. Stadium construction on schedule The minister announced that construction work on two stadiums for AFCON 2025 will meet precise deadlines. The Moulay Abdellah stadium in Rabat will complete construction by July 31, while the Grand Stadium of Tanger will finish by August 15. Lekjaa positioned this organization within a broader vision that includes other international women's and continental competitions. The events will strengthen Morocco's organizational capabilities while consolidating its long-term sports and economic influence. Royal vision guides strategy Lekjaa concluded by reiterating that the 2030 World Cup fits into a comprehensive strategic vision carried by King Mohammed VI. The goal extends beyond organizing a major sporting event to driving lasting economic, institutional and territorial transformation for Morocco. The ministerial conference featured Morocco's commitment to leveraging sports infrastructure investments for long-term national development while establishing the country as a regional leader in hosting international events. Tags: 2025 afconFIFA 2030
LeMonde
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- LeMonde
At Paris Museum of Decorative Arts, fashion designer Paul Poiret is crowned king of the image
While fashion designer Paul Poiret (1879-1944) was best known for rejecting the corset and throwing legendary parties – including the famous "One Thousand and Second Night" – the major retrospective devoted to him by the Museum of Decorative Arts (MAD) in Paris sheds light on lesser-known aspects of his work, especially his fashion illustrations. These true blueprints of his imagination reveal a designer who understood from an early age the power of images – not only to showcase his silhouettes, but also his entire universe. Before becoming the "King of Fashion" or "Le Magnifique," as he was called by his contemporaries, Poiret played with pencil and paper. Born in 1879 to a bourgeois family of drapers in the Halles district of Paris, he was sent by his father, after finishing high school, to work for an umbrella manufacturer to learn the business.
Morocco World
3 days ago
- Business
- Morocco World
Casablanca Stock Exchange Hits MAD 1 Trillion Mark for First Time in History
Marrakech – The Casablanca Stock Exchange closed on a high note Friday, with its benchmark MASI index surpassing the symbolic threshold of 19,000 points and reaching a record MAD 1 trillion (US$100 billion) market capitalization for the first time in its history. The MASI index gained 1.30% to close at 19,168.83 points, bringing its year-to-date performance to an impressive 29.75%. The MASI 20, which tracks the 20 most liquid companies, rose 1.28% to 1,578.22 points, while the MASI ESG advanced 1.26% to 1,318.74 points. Trading was robust, with transactions reaching MAD 466 million (US$46.6 million) on the central market. Attijariwafa Bank led activity, accounting for MAD 62 million (US$6.2 million) in trades and posting a significant 3.57% gain to close at MAD 725 (US$72.5). Maroc Telecom followed closely with equivalent trading volume and a 2.54% increase to MAD 121 (US$12.1). Among emerging stocks, Vicenne, a medical equipment company, continued to capture investor attention. Introduced on the exchange just one week ago, the stock is now trading at MAD 345 (US$34.5), representing a remarkable 46% surge since its initial public offering. Vicenne's IPO raised MAD 500 million (US$50 million) and was oversubscribed 64 times, generating demand worth MAD 32 billion (US$3.2 billion). Other notable performers included Maghreb Oxygène, which jumped 9.96% to MAD 425 (US$42.5), and Sothema, gaining 9.56% to close at MAD 1,810 (US$181). On the downside, Sanlam Maroc recorded the day's steepest decline at 6.75%, falling to MAD 1,865 (US$186.5). This market rally comes amid favorable economic conditions despite global uncertainties. According to the High Commission for Planning (HCP), Morocco's economic growth accelerated to 4.8% in the first quarter of 2025, up from 3% a year earlier. This performance was primarily driven by a 4.6% increase in non-agricultural activities, stimulated by major infrastructure projects related to the 2025 African Cup of Nations and the 2030 World Cup. Sectoral indicators confirm this positive trend. Cement sales, a key barometer for construction activity, grew by 9.8% to reach 6.8 million tons by the end of June, despite the slowdown during Eid Al-Adha. The automotive sector posted impressive growth, with sales up 36.6% in the first half of the year, totaling 88,728 units. Agriculture also contributed to the recovery with a 4.5% increase in added value during the first quarter. This strategic sector still represents between 11% and 15% of GDP and accounts for nearly 40% of national employment. On the external front, the trade deficit widened to MAD 133 billion (US$13.3 billion) by the end of May, primarily due to increased imports of capital goods and construction materials. However, this deficit is partially offset by a growing surplus in services, fueled by tourism recovery and strong business services. The current account deficit remains contained at around 2% of GDP. Inflation continues to decline, averaging 2% in the first quarter before dropping to 0.7% in April and 0.4% in May, mainly due to falling food prices. In this context, Bank Al-Maghrib has maintained its key interest rate at 2.25%, awaiting greater visibility on geopolitical tensions and the international environment. Public finances remain under control, with the central bank projecting a budget deficit of 3.9% of GDP for 2025, despite sustained public investment. This trajectory is supported by increased tax revenues and rigorous expenditure management. Read also: Morocco to Help Mauritania Create Nouakchott Stock Exchange Tags: Casablanca stock exchange
