Latest news with #MohammedVI
Morocco World
34 minutes ago
- Business
- Morocco World
Morocco's El Jadida to Host First International Port Ecosystem Salon in 2026
Doha – The first edition of the International Salon for Ports and their Ecosystem (SIPORTS) will take place from February 5-7, 2026, at the Mohammed VI Complex in El Jadida. Organized under the aegis of the Ministry of Equipment and Water by LINECO Events, this pioneering event aims to position Morocco as a strategic hub in global maritime trade. The salon will bring together more than 300 exhibitors from four continents and expects to welcome around 6,000 professional visitors. SIPORTS will be structured around five thematic pavilions: institutional, port industry, operations, scientific and academic, along with a museum dedicated to ports. Nizar Baraka, Minister of Equipment and Water, views the event as perfectly aligned with Morocco's maritime strategy. 'This initiative is perfectly aligned with the great momentum the port and maritime sector is experiencing, driven by the orientations of King Mohammed VI, aimed at strengthening Morocco's position as an essential maritime hub on both Mediterranean and Atlantic coasts,' said Baraka. Read also: Dakhla Atlantic Port and N'Djamena Corridor: Pivotal Game Changers in Africa's Economic Landscape He added that creating an exchange platform that brings together all stakeholders to discuss challenges and opportunities, accompanied by spaces dedicated to innovation and new technologies, 'perfectly addresses the challenges of modernization and sustainable development of our port infrastructure.' Mohcine Berrada, president of LINECO Events and organizer of this first edition, described SIPORTS as 'an international crossroads of expertise and solutions for the future.' 'Our ambition is to respond to the crucial challenges of performance, connectivity, innovation, and sustainability that are reshaping the map of global maritime trade today,' said Berrada. The event will feature an ambitious program of conferences, expert panels, international keynotes, and technical workshops. These sessions will create a space for strategic reflection and concrete exchanges to address the profound changes in the sector. Topics will include structuring new maritime routes, smart ports, eco-responsible infrastructure, and strengthened regional cooperation. Consolidating Morocco's global maritime leadership By promoting B2C and B2B meetings and showcasing innovative solutions, SIPORTS seeks to consolidate Morocco's position as an essential maritime hub in Africa and beyond. The event shows Morocco's growing stature as a pivotal force in global maritime commerce. Tanger Med port, the country's flagship maritime infrastructure, recently secured 17th place worldwide in the latest Alphaliner report of top global container ports. In 2024, Tanger Med handled 10.24 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), a significant increase from 8.61 million TEUs the year before. This growth has propelled the Moroccan port ahead of established global players like Hamburg (24th with 7.82 million TEUs) and Jakarta (27th with 6.75 million TEUs). Tanger Med is now the only port in the Mediterranean and Africa to rank among the top 30 ports worldwide. The port finished the 2024 fiscal year with a revenue of $1.212 billion, a marked increase of 12.3% compared to 2023. Santiago J. Castella Surribas, president of the Port of Tarragona in Spain, recently noted that Morocco has made remarkable developments in its port infrastructure over the past 25 years, modernizing to secure a key position in international trade. Spanish media have also expressed concerns that Morocco's port performance has been outpacing major Spanish hubs such as Algeciras, Valencia, and Barcelona since King Mohammed VI inaugurated Tanger Med in 2007. The North African country is also counting on the Atlantic Port of Dakhla to provide Sahel-Saharan countries secure access to the Atlantic Ocean. The project, expected to be operational by 2029, will process up to 35 million tons of cargo annually and serve as a key gateway connecting Africa to European and American markets.
Morocco World
38 minutes ago
- Business
- Morocco World
Morocco Announces Special Holiday for Eid Al-Adha on June 9
Doha – The Head of Government's office has announced that government departments and local authorities will observe an exceptional holiday on Monday, June 9, for Eid Al-Adha. The holiday extends the observance of the festival, which falls on Saturday, June 7, corresponding to the 10th of Dhu al-Hijjah 1446H. This decision was made in accordance with Article 3 of Decree No. 2.05.916 issued on July 20, 2005, as amended and supplemented, according to the government statement. The Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs had previously announced on Tuesday, May 27, that the month of Dhu al-Qa'dah had completed thirty days. Consequently, the first day of Dhu al-Hijjah is Thursday, May 29, with Eid Al-Adha falling on Saturday, June 7. The ministry clarified that it had monitored the crescent of Dhu al-Hijjah for the year 1446H after sunset on Tuesday, the 29th of Dhu al-Qa'dah (May 27). Officials contacted all Islamic Affairs delegates across the kingdom and units of the Royal Armed Forces participating in the crescent observation, who unanimously confirmed that the crescent was not visible. This year's Eid Al-Adha comes under exceptional circumstances as Moroccans have been called to abstain from the traditional sacrifice. On February 26, King Mohammed VI urged citizens to refrain from performing the ritual sacrifice this year due to the alarming decline in the national livestock population. The royal appeal was motivated by economic rather than religious considerations. The national livestock, particularly sheep, has decreased by 38% since 2016, with the number of female breeding stock falling to 8.7 million heads in 2024, compared to 11 million in 2016. This decline threatens the sector's sustainability and has caused red meat prices to soar. The COVID-19 pandemic followed by several years of drought severely impacted livestock numbers. In normal years, approximately 5.5 to 6 million animals would be sacrificed during Eid Al-Adha. Continuing this practice this year would further deplete breeding stock and potentially drive meat prices to MAD 200 ($20) per kilogram. While there is no formal ban on sacrifices, authorities are implementing stricter enforcement of regulations regarding informal practices associated with the holiday. The government has launched a MAD 3 billion ($300 billion) program to help rebuild livestock numbers, with an additional MAD 3.2 billion ($320 million) planned for 2026 to support breeders participating in the female breeding stock preservation campaign. Tags: Eid Al AdhaEid Al Adha HolidayMoroccan government
Zawya
3 hours ago
- General
- Zawya
Morocco: His Majesty the King Congratulates Croatian President on National Day
HM King Mohammed VI sent a message of congratulations to the President of the Republic of Croatia, Zoran Milanovic, on his country's national day. In this message, HM the King expresses to President Milanovic His warmest congratulations and best wishes for further progress and prosperity to the Croatian people. The Sovereign expresses His deep satisfaction with the close relations rooted in friendship and mutual esteem between the two countries, reiterating His firm determination to continue working with the Croatian President to strengthen the fruitful cooperation and extend it to all sectors, for the mutual benefit of the two friendly peoples. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Kingdom of Morocco - Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates.
Morocco World
a day ago
- General
- Morocco World
French Mosques Call for Boycott of Sheep Sacrifice Ahead of Eid Al-Adha
Doha – Facing limited abattoir access and rising prices, Muslim leaders in southern France urge alternatives for the upcoming festival, as similar measures take root in Morocco and Spanish enclaves. Several mosques in France's Gard department have called on Muslims to abstain from purchasing sheep for traditional sacrifice during the upcoming Eid Al-Adha celebration, expected next week. In a statement issued on May 15, leaders of the Lumière et Piété Mosque in Nîmes cited three main concerns: 'the lack of official facilities for ritual slaughter in compliant conditions,' 'excessive price increases for sheep,' and 'targeted administrative pressures and systematic obstacles hindering freedom of worship.' The prefecture has authorized only one temporary abattoir for the entire Muslim community in the department this year. This facility, located at Ferme de Vestric in Vestric-et-Candiac, will operate under the supervision of the Departmental Directorate for Population Protection (DDPP), whose agents will inspect each animal. 'In February, an animal costs €90, but during Eid, strangely, it exceeds €300? It's nonsense. I prefer to buy my meat from the butcher. It will be better that way,' one worshipper told a local radio station. The mosque leaders reminded the faithful that slaughtering animals outside approved facilities constitutes a criminal offense punishable by six months imprisonment and a €15,000 fine. The same penalties apply for complicity. Instead, the religious leaders recommend 'legally and religiously valid alternatives, such as sending donations for sacrifice in countries where the needy truly need it,' according to France 3 Occitanie and Gard Lozère. Read also: Thursday is 1st Day of Dhu Al Hijjah, Morocco to Celebrate Eid Al Adha on June The French Council of Muslim Faith (CFCM) has announced that Eid Al-Adha 1446H will be celebrated in France on Friday, June 6. This decision by French Muslim leaders follows a similar pattern seen in 2014, when the community also called for abstention from the traditional sacrifice due to inadequate facilities and regulatory challenges. Meanwhile, Morocco faces a similar situation but for different reasons. In February, King Mohammed VI called for citizens to abstain from sacrifice this year due to the country's alarming decline in national livestock, particularly sheep, which has fallen by 38% since 2016. The crisis began with the COVID-19 pandemic and was worsened by several years of drought. The number of female breeding sheep has dropped to 8.7 million in 2024, compared to 11 million in 2016, threatening the renewal of livestock populations. The royal decision has also found support in the Spanish enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla. According to El Confidencial's report published in early April, the Association of Halal Consumers in Ceuta, led by Abdelmalik Mohamed Amar, has backed the King's decision. They argued that 'it doesn't make much sense to follow guidelines from a country 6,000 kilometers away when we have another just around the corner.' Similarly, the Muslim Community of Melilla issued a statement asserting that 'the majority of Melilla's Muslims share the vision of the Commander of the Faithful and consider the measure sensible.' Tags: Eid Al AdhaMuslims in France
Egypt Today
a day ago
- Business
- Egypt Today
Egypt's Foreign Minister Delivers President Sisi's Message to Moroccan King Mohammed VI
Egyptian Foreign Minister Abdelatty hands over to Moroccan counterpart Nasser Bourita a written message from President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi to King Mohammed VI of Morocco- press photo CAIRO – 29 May 2025: Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigration, Badr Abdelatty, began his visit to Rabat on Wednesday, May 28, with a discussion session alongside Moroccan Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccan Expatriates, Nasser Bourita. According to Ambassador Tamim Khallaf, Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Minister Abdelatty delivered a written message from President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi to King Mohammed VI of Morocco. During the meeting, Minister Abdelatty reaffirmed Egypt's commitment to strengthening bilateral relations across all fields. He expressed hopes of advancing cooperation by convening the Joint High Committee in Cairo and holding a meeting of the "Coordination and Consultation Mechanism" between the two countries' Foreign Ministers. He also emphasized the importance of enhancing economic and trade cooperation, noting the significance of the visit by Egypt's Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade to Rabat in February 2025. The Foreign Minister highlighted the successful convening of the Egyptian-Moroccan Business Forum held in Cairo on May 4, which brought together 148 companies—74 from Egypt and 31 from Morocco. He underscored Egypt's keenness to follow up on the forum's outcomes in preparation for the Joint Trade Committee meeting scheduled for October 2025 in Cairo. The two countries also agreed to establish a Joint Coordination and Follow-up Committee, to be chaired by both Prime Ministers and comprising relevant ministries and agencies. This committee is expected to hold its first session before the end of this year. The ministers also exchanged views on key regional issues, with particular focus on the situation in the Gaza Strip. Minister Abdelatty detailed Egypt's ongoing efforts to halt Israeli aggression, resume the ceasefire, and ensure the unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid. He also discussed the Arab plan for the reconstruction of Gaza and Egypt's intention to host a reconstruction conference once a ceasefire is secured. In this context, Abdelatty praised King Mohammed VI's role in chairing the Al-Quds Committee and the Committee's contributions in support of the Palestinian cause. Other regional matters discussed included recent developments in Syria, Lebanon, Libya, the Horn of Africa, and the Sahel region, as well as issues related to maritime security in the Red Sea and Egypt's water security. Minister Abdelatty expressed gratitude for Morocco's supportive position regarding Egypt's water-related concerns. Joint Egyptian-Moroccan Coordination and Follow-up Committee As part of the visit, Egypt and Morocco announced the establishment of a Joint Coordination and Follow-up Committee, chaired by the Prime Ministers of both nations and including key ministers and senior officials. This committee will operate under the framework of the Joint High Committee, chaired by the two heads of state, and will convene on a rotating basis between the two countries. Its inaugural session is scheduled to take place before the end of 2025. The committee is expected to play a pivotal role in enhancing trade exchange, encouraging bilateral investment, and strengthening regional trade partnerships. It will build upon existing institutional frameworks, including the Agadir Agreement and the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA). This initiative reflects the shared political will of Egypt and Morocco to deepen bilateral cooperation and fulfill the directives of their respective leaderships. The aim is to scale up economic, trade, and investment collaboration and to activate and leverage regional institutional mechanisms to their full potential.
