In application of the High Royal Instructions, it was decided to start the payment of the emergency aid (2,500 Dirhams monthly for one year) to the families whose homes were partially or completely collapsed on October 6-16, the Department of the Head of Government said in a press release.

The quake-affected families, who would not have received financial aid during the aforementioned period, can present their grievances to the relevant provincial commissions in order to examine and rule on them, the same source pointed out.

The commission also decided to launch the road upgrading and widening operation, which will focus in a first phase on the opening and widening of the road between Ouirgane and Tlat N'Yacoub and the road linking Tizi N'tasset and Tafoughalet, and to begin the payment of aids to farmers for the reconstitution of the national herd, as well as the subsidy of barley and compound feed in the disaster areas, it noted.

It was also decided to immediately and convergently implement urgent reconstruction projects through the launch of architectural and technical studies which relate in particular to the reconstruction and upgrading of more than 1,000 schools, the upgrading of 42 local health centers, as well as the actions aimed at shoring historic sites and reinforcing and restorate mosques, Zaouias and mausoleums.

In order to ensure the monitoring and financing of these projects which concern the sectors of education, health, equipment, housing, culture, tourism, agriculture and endowments, it was decided to allocate 2.5 billion dirhams through the Special Fund dedicated to managing the impacts of the earthquake (126), in order to ensure its immediate implementation, the same added.

During this meeting, the members of the commission stressed that the government, in accordance with the High Royal Instructions, endeavors to implement the program of reconstruction and general upgrading of the quake-affected regions, adding that the government has indeed started the implementation of urgent projects.

The Head of Government called on the various departments concerned to continue their strong mobilization for rapid and optimal implementation of the various aspects of the integrated program, which will allow, beyond the treatment of the earthquake impact and reconstruction, to promote the economic, social and cultural development of the populations in the affected regions, the press release concluded.

AS FAR qualified for the final game after trashing Raja Aïn Harrouda 6-0, while USSB bested Raja Aït Iazza on penalties.

AS FAR had won the 2020-2021 Women's Throne Cup after beating Sporting Casablanca 5-0 in the final game.

"Arab trade integration requires several fundamental aspects, including the harmonization of standards," Mezzour said at the Arab Food Security Conference, held under the theme "Agri-food industries and their role in achieving food security".

The minister highlighted the importance of joint action between Arab countries in terms of price control, the exploration of investment and cooperation opportunities, in order to achieve the necessary flexibility of distribution chains in this region of the world, in addition to strengthen innovation and promote scientific research.

In the same vein, the minister emphasized the importance of the convergence of distribution chains and cooperation in the field of industry and processing.

Placed under the High Patronage of HM King Mohammed VI, the two-day Conference brings together researchers and experts from the Arab world which will address vital issues related to food security in Arab countries.

Organized by the Federation of Moroccan Chambers of Commerce and Industry and the League of Arab Chambers, this meeting is an opportunity to compare, analyze experiences and explore the different levels of expertise of Arab countries.

Ambassador Mohamed Arrouchi, Morocco's Permanent Representative to the AU and the ECA-UN, addressed the gathering and emphasized Morocco's readiness to contribute to the AU's development goals. "I would like to confirm Morocco's readiness to share its experience and expertise in development financing, sustainable development goals (SDGs), and the aspirations of Agenda 2063."

The diplomat's remarks shed light on the financial challenges facing the AU, particularly the allocation of a significant portion of its budget to peace and security in previous years. This prompts a crucial evaluation of the effectiveness of this approach in achieving peace and security on the continent.

Ambassador Arrouchi pointed out that another part of the AU budget remains untapped, waiting to be allocated to address various development-related aspirations. He stressed the need for a shift in approach, stating that "the exclusively security-oriented approach has shown its limitations, a fact confirmed by the relevance of the Nexus approach: peace, security, and development."

The new approach advocated by Arrouchi would involve allocating a substantial percentage of peacekeeping operation budgets to essential development projects. These projects are deemed critical to ensuring stability and addressing the numerous factors that contribute to instability in Africa, including insufficient development, unemployment, food insecurity, and health issues.

The three-day Ministerial Retreat aims to foster discussions and strategic guidance on the outcomes of the Special Project for Agenda 2063. This initiative focuses on evaluating the First Ten-Year Plan and formulating the Second Ten-Year Plan for the implementation of Agenda 2063. Additionally, it addresses the classification of flagship projects and financing-related challenges.

Gross investment (gross fixed capital formation, change in inventories, and net acquisition of valuables) continues to record declines in its rate of increase, posting a 3.1% drop in Q2 2023 after an 8.4% decline in the same quarter last year, with a negative contribution to growth of 1.1 points, the HCP states in an information note on the national economic situation in Q2 2023.

Household final consumption expenditure, on the other hand, rose by 0.4% instead of 0.3%, with a contribution to growth of 0.2 points. Similarly, final consumption by the general government rose by 3.1% instead of 4.9%, with a contribution to growth of 0.6 points.

The HCP also reports that foreign trade in goods and services made a positive contribution to growth of 2.5 points, compared to 3.9 points in the same quarter of the previous year.

In this context, exports of goods and services rose by 6.5% in the second quarter of 2023, compared with 27.7% in the same period last year, with a contribution to growth of 3 points, compared with 9 points in the same period last year.

Imports of goods and services rose by 1% instead of 12.2%, with a negative contribution to growth of 0.5 points instead of 5.1 points a year earlier.

At the beginning of its proceedings, the Council will be briefed by Minister of Economy and Finance, Nadia Fettah, on preparations for the hosting of the Annual Meetings of the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund, scheduled for October in Marrakech.

It will then examine three draft decrees. The first concerns the definition of the forms of State aid for housing and the procedures for granting it to purchasers of housing intended for the principal dwelling, while the second draft decree relates to the prevention and control of animal risks on airfields and surrounding areas, and the third focuses on the creation of the "Moroccan Youth Award", the statement stresses.

On the same occasion, the Council will study the protocols amending articles 50 (a) and 56 of the Convention on International Civil Aviation, signed on October 6, 2016 in Montreal, as well as a bill approving these two protocols, before considering an agreement on the international road transport of passengers and goods, signed on July 10 in Dakhla between the Moroccan and Guinean governments, with a bill approving the said agreement, adds the same source.

At the end of its work, the Council will consider proposals for appointments to higher office, in accordance with the provisions of Article 92 of the Constitution, it concludes.
 

Non-agricultural activities posted an increase in volume of 2.1%, and those of the agricultural sector rose by 6.3%, says the HCP in an information note on the national economic situation in Q2-2023.

Driven by external demand, this growth was achieved against a backdrop of high inflation and an improvement in the national economy's financing capacity, the same source points out.

In detail, seasonally-adjusted primary sector value added in volume terms rose by 6% in Q2 2023, following a 6.3% increase in agricultural activity and a slowdown in fishing growth to 0.5%.

Value added in the secondary sector fell by 2.8%, compared with 0.1% in the second quarter of the previous year. This decline was due to a fall in value added in the mining industry of 9.4% instead of 7.5%, in building and public works of 2.8% instead of 1%, in processing industries of 2.1% instead of 1.8%, and in electricity and water of 1.4% instead of 1.5%.

Value added in the tertiary sector slowed to 4.4%, marked by a 2.3% rise in real estate services and a slowdown in accommodation and catering (31.2%), transport and warehousing (5.3%), education, health and social services (5, 1%, general public administration and social security services at 4.8%, research and development and business services at 2.2%, information and communication at 2%, financial services and insurance at 1.2% and vehicle trade and repair at 1%.

On Wednesday, the MASI ended up 0.1%.

The Kingdom is represented at the two-day meeting, held under the theme "Innovation for sustainable energy", by director general of the Institute for Research in Solar Energy and Renewable Energies (IRESEN), Samir Rachidi, and vice-president of the Africa Commission at the Moroccan Employers' Association (CGEM), Ali Zerouli, who is also co-chairman of the Green H2 Cluster and head of development at HIF Global for the Africa and Middle East region.

Organized in cooperation with the Regional Center for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESQWA), the forum, which brings together government officials, heads of national and regional organizations and international experts, focuses on the role of innovation in developing the energy sector and promoting sustainable energy in the Arab region, against the backdrop of the latest developments in the electricity market in the Arab world.

The Gambia Football Federation (GFF) has congratulated the Kingdom of Morocco on winning the bid to host AFCON-2025, reported the Gambian media outlet "The Standard."

The decision was announced on Wednesday by the President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) after the Executive Committee of the continental football governing body voted in favor of the North African country during its meeting held in the Egyptian capital, Cairo, recalled the media outlet.

GFF President Lamin Kabba Bajo described the news as a very positive and well-deserved development, according to the publication. He added that with its high-quality infrastructure, no country was more deserving of hosting the 2025 edition.

Bajo paid tribute to Morocco's pan-African gesture, which has continued to open its country and facilities to African national teams, including The Gambia, for many years, the same source added.

"Morocco's various national teams continue to perform exceptionally well at international football tournaments, most recently the Atlas Lions, who became the first African country to reach the semi-finals of the World Cup in Qatar. This is the result of the investments they have made over the years and continue to make," highlighted Bajo.

He also referred to the bilateral cooperation between Morocco and Gambia, among others, in Africa, saying it's time the continent also gave the Moroccan people reasons to smile.

"I have no doubt that they will organize an exceptional and extraordinary football mega-event," Bajo said, quoted by the media.

Morocco has been awarded the 2025 African Cup of Nations to replace Guinea, which had the right to host the tournament withdrawn last year. The rights for 2027 have also been awarded to a joint bid from Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.