Speaking at a press conference held alongside the Special Advocate to the UN Secretary General on the Promotion of Inclusive Financial Services for Development (UNSGSA), Queen Máxima of the Netherlands, Jouahri said that Morocco is lagging behind in fintechs, calling for a change of culture to develop this ecosystem.

In this regard, he recalled that the Central Bank has created a one-stop shop to receive fintechs, help them, advise them and supervise their relations with the banking system.

He also stressed the importance of the incentives put in place by the Government to boost the financial sector, noting that the Central Bank spares no effort in collaborating with other institutions for the promotion of fintechs, including the Deposit Guarantee Fund (FGD), the Ministry of Digital Transition and Administrative Reform and the Digital Development Agency.

"The objective is to converge the efforts of stakeholders, each in their field, to create an ecosystem of fintechs that can catch up with Morocco, and at the same time make a benchmark that is useful, to determine the incentives for this system to succeed as quickly as possible," said Jouahri.

On the other hand, the head pointed out that mobile banking allows safer, faster and cheaper transactions, stressing that cash is a circuit that favors the financing of terrorism and money laundering, hence the interest in opting for digital.

He stressed, in this context, that Morocco is one of the most cash-dependent countries, so he advocated the payment of social benefits to citizens through the digital channel.

In this regard, Morocco's top banker highlighted a pilot experience launched with the Ministry of National Education, Preschool and Sports, for the "Tayssir" operation, which has yielded positive results, but "not up to expectations".

These government sources described as "mere speculation" any attempt to accuse a third country, especially Morocco, of using Pegasus spyware on members of the Spanish Government, such as the head of the Government or the Ministers of Interior, Defense and Agriculture.

The accusations of spying with the Pegasus system against several countries have been the subject of legal and scientific criticism. The sources, therefore, see no basis for these accusations to be built on.

In this context, U.S. cybersecurity expert Jonathan Scott had recently pointed out "methodological and scientific flaws" that are inherent in the approach taken by Citizen Lab, Amnesty International and Forbidden Stories.

These flaws led such institutions to adopt conclusions that are "more allegations than science" about the alleged use of the Pegasus system by certain countries.

Scott, who published a report bearing the title "Exonerating Morocco - Disproving the Spyware" on February 18, had stated that Citizen Lab's allegations are "totally unfounded" and "lack the most basic elements of scientific proof."

In this regard, U.S. attorney for the New York Bar Tor Ekeland had also claimed that the alleged evidence provided by the aforementioned organizations was "inadmissible" by a U.S. federal court, as it was based on "shoddy science."

"The first thing a U.S. court does when looking at scientific evidence is to see if it respects the principle of reproducibility," he had said. However, he pointed out that Citizen Lab's results cannot be reproduced in any way, which is in itself a "red flag."

New York-based Canadian lawyer Michael Hassard, also specializing in computer issues, had also explained that when scientific evidence is submitted for analysis, it is often subject to "confirmation bias."

Scientific methods of analyzing evidence in the cybersecurity and IT fields are relatively new and far from infallible, Hassard had said.

"Imports from Spain have been de facto almost completely suspended, which significantly damages the overall relationship between Algeria and the European Union," European Union's top diplomat Josep Borrell told Spanish media.

The EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission (EC) stressed that "the current impasse is in nobody's interest," he said, assuring the EC is "ready to act" against Algeria's violation of the association agreement with Brussels.

"Trade policy is an exclusive competence of the EU" and therefore Brussels "is ready to take action against any measure applied against a member state," said Miriam Garcia Ferrer, spokeswoman for the European Commission for Trade, in a statement to the Spanish news agency Europa Press.

Since last June, the European Commission has "regularly expressed its concern about the trade implications" of Algiers' decision, "especially the blocked shipments from Spain," Garcia Ferrer said. Operations and trade between Spain and Algeria have been blocked ever since.

These blockades came as a result of Algeria's suspension, on June 8, of the Treaty of Friendship with Spain, in protest against the Spanish position in support of the autonomy plan in the Moroccan Sahara. Spain calls this suspension for such reason an interference in its internal and sovereign affairs.

The MASI-20, an index of the 20 most liquid stocks, rose 0.34% to 840.48 points and the MASI-ESG, an index of companies with the highest ESG rating as published by Moody's ESG Solutions, gained 0.14% to 792.45 points.

The MASI Mid and Small Cap, a thematic index that tracks the performance of small and mid cap companies listed on the Casablanca Stock Exchange, rose 0.81% to 863.48 points.

On Wednesday, the MASI had closed with a gain of 1.34%.

Speaking at the plenary session of the United Nations Conference on Water (22-24 March), Baraka stressed that Morocco, under the leadership of HM King Mohammed VI, has been able to meet its water needs through its national policy, thanks in particular to the development of dedicated infrastructure.

The Kingdom now has 152 large dams with a storage capacity of over 19 billion m3, in addition to 16 others under construction with a storage capacity of nearly 4.8 billion m3, he said, adding that Morocco also has 136 small dams.

In line with the roadmap outlined by HM the King in his royal address to Parliament on the occasion of the opening of the first session of the second year of the 11th National Assembly, Morocco is committed to continuing its efforts at all levels, the Minister said.

He mentioned in this regard the mobilization of conventional and non-conventional water resources, the management of water demand and its development through structuring projects, including the continued construction of small and large dams to support the dynamics of local development.

It is also intended to strengthen the spatial solidarity between the basins in the form of a project to connect the Sebou and Bouregreg basins with a flow of 15m3 / s and which will make it possible to supply water to Rabat and the urban pole of Greater Casablanca.

Baraka, who heads the Moroccan delegation at this international conference, also mentioned the use of non-conventional water resources, including seawater desalination and the reuse of treated wastewater.

The measures taken by Morocco in this field also include the rationalization of water management, including the modernization of drinking water distribution networks, in addition to the desalination of seawater using renewable energy to reduce its cost.

The minister cited in this context the desalination plant in Dakhla, which has reduced the cost of water production ($0.29/m3) tavers wind energy.

He also mentioned the continued implementation of the National Program for Water Saving in Irrigation (PNEEI), through the modernization of irrigation networks and the use of localized irrigation to cover one million hectares by 2030.

It will also improve the production of hydroelectric energy, with the goal of achieving 14% of renewable energy, which will represent 52% of the total energy produced at the national level in 2030, before reaching 70% in 2040 and 80% in 2050.

Baraka also called for increased cooperation at all levels between countries, departments and water users to achieve successful partnerships in this key sector.

Co-organized by Tajikistan and the Netherlands with the support of the United Nations, the international water conference is dedicated to the mid-term review of the implementation of the goals of the Water Action Decade 2018-2028, which was proclaimed by the UN General Assembly, in December 2016.

In this context, Morocco's top diplomat reiterated, during a press conference following his meeting with his counterpart from Burkina Faso, Olivia Ragnaghnèwendé Rouamba, that the Kingdom "condemns and always rejects any irresponsible behavior and any attitude that could be inflammatory or have negative repercussions."

Bourita further said that Morocco, under the leadership of HM King Mohammed VI, Chairman of the Al-Quds Committee, never ceases to reaffirm that dialogue and negotiations are the only way to reach a final settlement of the Palestinian issue in the context of respect for the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people to establish their state on the June 1967 borders, with East Al-Quds as its capital, living side by side, in serenity and cooperation with the State of Israel, noting that this position is consistent with international legality, the Arab Peace Initiative and Security Council resolutions.

He concluded that Morocco "always rejects unilateral actions that can only move us away from this solution and supports all initiatives that would encourage appeasement in order to find a way out in accordance with the internationally agreed two-state solution approach."

Speaking at a press conference following his meeting with his counterpart from Burkina Faso, Olivia Ragnaghnèwendé Rouamba, Bourita said that the Kingdom is confident in the ability of the Burkinabé people and its armed forces to take the necessary steps to preserve national unity, stability and security in this brotherly African country.

In this sense, the Minister said that HM King Mohammed VI has always stressed the importance of the solid relations that unite the two peoples and the two sister countries, based on solidarity and fruitful cooperation, recalling the High Royal Instructions to provide medical assistance to Burkina Faso during the COVID-19 pandemic. This solidarity, he said, will always be the "hallmark" of relations between the two countries.

After highlighting the priority Morocco attaches to supporting the stability and development of African countries, which His Majesty the King has always stressed, Bourita noted that the Kingdom is "a loyal friend and a partner in solidarity" with this African country.

He also said that the visit of the Burkinabe minister, which is part of the ongoing coordination between the two countries, was also an opportunity for the new Ambassador of Burkina Faso in Morocco to present the copies of his credentials, noting that this will allow continuous monitoring of joint projects and support initiatives that could contribute to stability in Burkina Faso.

The Minister also paid tribute to the role played by Burkina Faso within the G5 Sahel in the fight against terrorism in the region and reaffirmed Morocco's commitment to supporting Burkina Faso's efforts to combat terrorism, which threatens the stability of the country and the peace of its people.

In addition, he stressed that this African country aims, through its actions, to preserve the security of its citizens and is waging, on behalf of the region, a war against terrorism, which requires the support of all.

Regarding the strengthening of bilateral cooperation in various fields, the Minister recalled the increase in the number of scholarships granted to Burkina Faso in recent years to reach 100, in addition to 30 others for training in the Moroccan Sahara following the opening of a Burkinabe consulate in Dakhla, noting that it was agreed today to grant 50 new scholarships in the field of technical cooperation.

In accordance with the high instructions of HM the King, Morocco is always ready to share its experience and expertise in the field of sectoral cooperation with all its African brothers, he added, noting that these new scholarships will contribute to supporting bilateral sectoral cooperation.

Regarding regional issues, especially in Africa and the Sahel region, Bourita highlighted the convergence of views of the two countries on the situation and how to deal with it, stressing the importance of working within the framework of a serene and fruitful dialogue to prioritize the stability of the region, making the fight against terrorism by the countries concerned the basis for the success of any strategy to combat terrorism.

In a statement, the ministry said it observed the lunar crescent of the holy month on Wednesday 29 Sha'ban 1444 A.H., corresponding to March 22, 2023 after the Al-Maghrib prayer, adding that the observation of the lunar crescent announcing the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan has been confirmed.

Therefore, the 1st Ramadan will correspond to Thursday, March 23, 2023, according to the same source.

May God, in this blessed month, fill HM King Mohammed VI, Commander of the Faithful, may God assist him, with His favors and renew such an occasion for HRH Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan and all members of the illustrious Royal Family in benefits and welfare, and for the Moroccan people and the entire Islamic Ummah in progress and prosperity, concludes the Ministry.

At its first 2023 quarterly meeting, the BAM Board of Directors said that this measure aims to prevent the emergence of self-sustaining inflationary spirals and to further strengthen the anchoring of inflation expectations to promote its return to levels consistent with the objective of price stability.

The Council confirms that it will continue to closely monitor economic developments and inflationary pressures at both the national and the international level.

At this meeting, the BAM Board analyzed the evolution of the national economic situation and the Bank's macroeconomic projections for the next eight quarters, focusing in particular on the transmission of its recent decisions to raise the key interest rate.

The MASI-20, an index of the 20 most liquid stocks, rose 1.58% to 837.63 points, and the MASI-ESG, an index of companies with the highest ESG rating published by Moody's ESG Solutions, rose 1.63% to 791.36 points.

The MASI Mid and Small Cap, a thematic index that tracks the performance of small and mid cap companies listed on the Casablanca Stock Exchange, fell 0.15% to 856.52 points.

At the international level, the FTSE CSE Morocco 15 and the FTSE CSE Morocco All-Liquid gained 1.47% to 9,563.61 points and 1.51% to 8,669.48 points respectively.