Morocco expects record grain crop-farm leader

RABAT (Reuters) - Morocco expects a record grains harvest of 10 million tonnes this year on "exceptional" good rainfalls, the head of the country's main farming group said on Tuesday.
"We are looking to harvest 100 million quintals (10 million tonnes) of cereals this season as the amount of rain that fell on Morocco was the highest in more than 20 years," Ahmed Ouayach, said chairman of the Moroccan Agriculture and Rural Development Confederation (COMADER).
He told Reuters that he saw as a result of the expected good crop that Morocco would slash its imports of cereals by up to 90 percent.
Morocco imports between 1 million and 3 million tonnes a year, mostly soft wheat, to plug shortfalls in the domestic crop, which swings sharply depending on weather conditions.
"A 100-million-quintals-of-cereals harvest would mean a reduction of our grain purchases from abroad by 90 percent minimum, if not a 100 percent coverage of our cereal needs by our upcoming domestic crop," he added.
The expected harvest would compare to 5 million tonnes in 2008, 2.1 million tonnes in the previous year and 9.3 million in 2006.
"The harvest of 9.3 million in 2006 was a record. The expected harvest for this season would the highest level ever," Ouayach said.
Farming is the chief source of employment in Morocco, most of it a small-scale subsistence affair, despite ongoing reforms to expand the role of manufacturing and services.

It also accounts for between 17 percent and 20 percent of gross domestic product depending on farm yields, themselves subject to sharp swings in rainfall from one year to the next.
Ouayach said continuing rainfalls during the sowing period between October and December prevented farmers from planting some areas.
"Farmers had planted about 4.5 million hectares compared to 5.5 million hectares last season. The huge amount of rains blocked farmers from sowing all cereals fields. Despite that, the harvest looks to be great," he added.
He hoped that the government would step in to support prices and help farmers benefit from the expected good crop.
"We do not want that farmers be punished by the higher production. We hope the government (is) to set the price at 350 Dirham per quintal," he said.
The government usually sets cereal prices at at least the same levels of imported cereals to encourage farmers and shield them from foreign competition.
Farmers in Morocco harvest cereals between June and August.

By Lamine Ghanmi

source : http://af.reuters.com/article/investingNews/idAFJOE50R02320090128?pageNumber=2&virtualBrandChannel=0

Mobile drives Maroc Telecom 2008 revenues

By Mary Lennighan, Total Telecom
20 January 2009
Moroccan incumbent reports strong customer growth at domestic mobile unit, but ARPU slips and churn grows.
Maroc Telecom this week posted a 7.2% increase in group revenues for 2008, thanks largely to a strong performance from its domestic mobile operations.

The operator, which is controlled by French media group Vivendi, posted full-year consolidated revenues of 29.52 billion dirhams (€2.65 billion), while fourth-quarter revenues came in at 7.48 billion dirhams, up 3.9%. Maroc Telecom generates the bulk of its revenues through its Moroccan operations. Sales in Morocco reached MAD27.74 billion last year, MAD18.53 billion (€1.66 billion) of which came from mobile operations. Mobile revenues grew 8.4% on the back of strong customer growth, although average revenue per user (ARPU) slipped 8.4% to MAD99.2 (€8.9). This was against a backdrop of "a highly competitive context and a more restrictive regulation regarding promotions," the telco said. Maroc Telecom's mobile customer base reached 14.46 million by 31 December, up 8.5% on-year. Churn rose to a hefty 34.9%, something the company attributed to rapid customer growth in 2007. The Moroccan incumbent admitted that its average monthly invoice in the fixed-line space fell by 1.2% last year, but revenues were up slightly at MAD9.68 billion (€869 million) thanks to Internet growth. The company's fixed-line customer base fell 2.8% to 1.299 million lines, but fixed Internet customers rose 1.3% to 482,000. In addition, the telco said it has close to 30,000 Internet Mobile 3G+ customers – the brand name of its HSDPA service – and 10,000 IPTV customers. Marco Telecom also shared details of its foreign operations. The biggest contributor to group revenues outside of Morocco was Onatel in Burkina Faso, which notched up sales of MAD1.47 billion (€132 million) last year. While the operator's customer base grew, its revenue was impacted by a drop in consumption as the cost of living rose. Onatel Mobile reported a 73.2% increase in customers to 977,000, largely thanks to the expansion of its network coverage, Maroc Telecom said. Fixed-line revenues slid, but lines grew by 18.9% to 145,000 by the end of the year. Internet customers were up 41.7% to 17,000. Mauritel in Mauritania generated MAD1.09 billion (€98 million) in revenues. The company said mobile customers grew 26.1% to 1.14 million, despite the arrival of a third player in the market, while fixed-line and Internet customers rose to 49,000 and 9,000 respectively. Gabon Telecom contributed MAD1.19 billion (€107 million) in revenues. Special promotions drove mobile customers up to 447,000, fixed-line customers numbered 33,000, and Internet customers reached 14,000 Finally, Maroc Telecom reported that its Mobisud MVNOs in France and Belgium together contributed revenues of MAD183 million (€16 million) and had a combined customer base of 163,000.

Mobile drives Maroc Telecom 2008 revenues

By Mary Lennighan, Total Telecom
20 January 2009
Moroccan incumbent reports strong customer growth at domestic mobile unit, but ARPU slips and churn grows.
Maroc Telecom this week posted a 7.2% increase in group revenues for 2008, thanks largely to a strong performance from its domestic mobile operations.
document.write('');
if ((!document.images && navigator.userAgent.indexOf('Mozilla/2.') >= 0) navigator.userAgent.indexOf("WebTV") >= 0)
{document.write('');}
The operator, which is controlled by French media group Vivendi, posted full-year consolidated revenues of 29.52 billion dirhams (€2.65 billion), while fourth-quarter revenues came in at 7.48 billion dirhams, up 3.9%. Maroc Telecom generates the bulk of its revenues through its Moroccan operations. Sales in Morocco reached MAD27.74 billion last year, MAD18.53 billion (€1.66 billion) of which came from mobile operations. Mobile revenues grew 8.4% on the back of strong customer growth, although average revenue per user (ARPU) slipped 8.4% to MAD99.2 (€8.9). This was against a backdrop of "a highly competitive context and a more restrictive regulation regarding promotions," the telco said. Maroc Telecom's mobile customer base reached 14.46 million by 31 December, up 8.5% on-year. Churn rose to a hefty 34.9%, something the company attributed to rapid customer growth in 2007. The Moroccan incumbent admitted that its average monthly invoice in the fixed-line space fell by 1.2% last year, but revenues were up slightly at MAD9.68 billion (€869 million) thanks to Internet growth. The company's fixed-line customer base fell 2.8% to 1.299 million lines, but fixed Internet customers rose 1.3% to 482,000. In addition, the telco said it has close to 30,000 Internet Mobile 3G+ customers – the brand name of its HSDPA service – and 10,000 IPTV customers. Marco Telecom also shared details of its foreign operations. The biggest contributor to group revenues outside of Morocco was Onatel in Burkina Faso, which notched up sales of MAD1.47 billion (€132 million) last year. While the operator's customer base grew, its revenue was impacted by a drop in consumption as the cost of living rose. Onatel Mobile reported a 73.2% increase in customers to 977,000, largely thanks to the expansion of its network coverage, Maroc Telecom said. Fixed-line revenues slid, but lines grew by 18.9% to 145,000 by the end of the year. Internet customers were up 41.7% to 17,000. Mauritel in Mauritania generated MAD1.09 billion (€98 million) in revenues. The company said mobile customers grew 26.1% to 1.14 million, despite the arrival of a third player in the market, while fixed-line and Internet customers rose to 49,000 and 9,000 respectively. Gabon Telecom contributed MAD1.19 billion (€107 million) in revenues. Special promotions drove mobile customers up to 447,000, fixed-line customers numbered 33,000, and Internet customers reached 14,000 Finally, Maroc Telecom reported that its Mobisud MVNOs in France and Belgium together contributed revenues of MAD183 million (€16 million) and had a combined customer base of 163,000.

Mobile drives Maroc Telecom 2008 revenues

By Mary Lennighan, Total Telecom
20 January 2009
Moroccan incumbent reports strong customer growth at domestic mobile unit, but ARPU slips and churn grows.
Maroc Telecom this week posted a 7.2% increase in group revenues for 2008, thanks largely to a strong performance from its domestic mobile operations.
document.write('');
if ((!document.images && navigator.userAgent.indexOf('Mozilla/2.') >= 0) navigator.userAgent.indexOf("WebTV") >= 0)
{document.write('');}
The operator, which is controlled by French media group Vivendi, posted full-year consolidated revenues of 29.52 billion dirhams (€2.65 billion), while fourth-quarter revenues came in at 7.48 billion dirhams, up 3.9%. Maroc Telecom generates the bulk of its revenues through its Moroccan operations. Sales in Morocco reached MAD27.74 billion last year, MAD18.53 billion (€1.66 billion) of which came from mobile operations. Mobile revenues grew 8.4% on the back of strong customer growth, although average revenue per user (ARPU) slipped 8.4% to MAD99.2 (€8.9). This was against a backdrop of "a highly competitive context and a more restrictive regulation regarding promotions," the telco said. Maroc Telecom's mobile customer base reached 14.46 million by 31 December, up 8.5% on-year. Churn rose to a hefty 34.9%, something the company attributed to rapid customer growth in 2007. The Moroccan incumbent admitted that its average monthly invoice in the fixed-line space fell by 1.2% last year, but revenues were up slightly at MAD9.68 billion (€869 million) thanks to Internet growth. The company's fixed-line customer base fell 2.8% to 1.299 million lines, but fixed Internet customers rose 1.3% to 482,000. In addition, the telco said it has close to 30,000 Internet Mobile 3G+ customers – the brand name of its HSDPA service – and 10,000 IPTV customers. Marco Telecom also shared details of its foreign operations. The biggest contributor to group revenues outside of Morocco was Onatel in Burkina Faso, which notched up sales of MAD1.47 billion (€132 million) last year. While the operator's customer base grew, its revenue was impacted by a drop in consumption as the cost of living rose. Onatel Mobile reported a 73.2% increase in customers to 977,000, largely thanks to the expansion of its network coverage, Maroc Telecom said. Fixed-line revenues slid, but lines grew by 18.9% to 145,000 by the end of the year. Internet customers were up 41.7% to 17,000. Mauritel in Mauritania generated MAD1.09 billion (€98 million) in revenues. The company said mobile customers grew 26.1% to 1.14 million, despite the arrival of a third player in the market, while fixed-line and Internet customers rose to 49,000 and 9,000 respectively. Gabon Telecom contributed MAD1.19 billion (€107 million) in revenues. Special promotions drove mobile customers up to 447,000, fixed-line customers numbered 33,000, and Internet customers reached 14,000 Finally, Maroc Telecom reported that its Mobisud MVNOs in France and Belgium together contributed revenues of MAD183 million (€16 million) and had a combined customer base of 163,000.

Mobile drives Maroc Telecom 2008 revenues

By Mary Lennighan, Total Telecom
20 January 2009
Moroccan incumbent reports strong customer growth at domestic mobile unit, but ARPU slips and churn grows.
Maroc Telecom this week posted a 7.2% increase in group revenues for 2008, thanks largely to a strong performance from its domestic mobile operations.
document.write('');
if ((!document.images && navigator.userAgent.indexOf('Mozilla/2.') >= 0) navigator.userAgent.indexOf("WebTV") >= 0)
{document.write('');}
The operator, which is controlled by French media group Vivendi, posted full-year consolidated revenues of 29.52 billion dirhams (€2.65 billion), while fourth-quarter revenues came in at 7.48 billion dirhams, up 3.9%. Maroc Telecom generates the bulk of its revenues through its Moroccan operations. Sales in Morocco reached MAD27.74 billion last year, MAD18.53 billion (€1.66 billion) of which came from mobile operations. Mobile revenues grew 8.4% on the back of strong customer growth, although average revenue per user (ARPU) slipped 8.4% to MAD99.2 (€8.9). This was against a backdrop of "a highly competitive context and a more restrictive regulation regarding promotions," the telco said. Maroc Telecom's mobile customer base reached 14.46 million by 31 December, up 8.5% on-year. Churn rose to a hefty 34.9%, something the company attributed to rapid customer growth in 2007. The Moroccan incumbent admitted that its average monthly invoice in the fixed-line space fell by 1.2% last year, but revenues were up slightly at MAD9.68 billion (€869 million) thanks to Internet growth. The company's fixed-line customer base fell 2.8% to 1.299 million lines, but fixed Internet customers rose 1.3% to 482,000. In addition, the telco said it has close to 30,000 Internet Mobile 3G+ customers – the brand name of its HSDPA service – and 10,000 IPTV customers. Marco Telecom also shared details of its foreign operations. The biggest contributor to group revenues outside of Morocco was Onatel in Burkina Faso, which notched up sales of MAD1.47 billion (€132 million) last year. While the operator's customer base grew, its revenue was impacted by a drop in consumption as the cost of living rose. Onatel Mobile reported a 73.2% increase in customers to 977,000, largely thanks to the expansion of its network coverage, Maroc Telecom said. Fixed-line revenues slid, but lines grew by 18.9% to 145,000 by the end of the year. Internet customers were up 41.7% to 17,000. Mauritel in Mauritania generated MAD1.09 billion (€98 million) in revenues. The company said mobile customers grew 26.1% to 1.14 million, despite the arrival of a third player in the market, while fixed-line and Internet customers rose to 49,000 and 9,000 respectively. Gabon Telecom contributed MAD1.19 billion (€107 million) in revenues. Special promotions drove mobile customers up to 447,000, fixed-line customers numbered 33,000, and Internet customers reached 14,000 Finally, Maroc Telecom reported that its Mobisud MVNOs in France and Belgium together contributed revenues of MAD183 million (€16 million) and had a combined customer base of 163,000.

Pollutec Maroc 2009

Event Type:
Conference/Seminar
Date:
Oct. 21-24, 2009
Venue:
OFEC (Office des Foires et Expositions de Casablanca)
Location:
Casablanca, Morocco
Pollutec Maroc 2009, the 1st International exhibition of environmental equipment, technologies and services, will be the only event dedicated to environmental issues and challenges in Morocco. 150 exhibiting companies will offer a diverse and international array of equipments, technologies and services best suited to the needs of the country in the sectors of Water, Waste, Recycling, Air, Energies, Sites and Soils. 5,000 trade visitors from industries (textile, leather, metal, plastic, phosphates, chemistry, etc…) – public and private companies -, local authorities, civil services, universities, Research & Development, etc… are expected.


EQUIPMENTS AND SERVICESEquipments, Services and Technologies for the following sectors:
Water
Waste disposal
Recycling and exploitation
Cleaning
Air
Energy
Risks / Health and Environment
Natural and marine environments
Analysis - Measurement - Monitoring
Sites and soils
Sustainable Development
Regulation- Audit- Consultancy - Studies & Engineering
Training- Education- InstitutionsVISITORS’ PROFILEIndustrials, heads of local authorities, and decision makers and specifiers looking for solutions.PERSPECTIVES150 exhibitors and 5,000 visitors over 5,000 sq.m. of exhibition space are expected

Morocco 'offers alternative to Canary Islands'

The Moroccan coastal resort of Essaouira is expected to welcome more foreign visitors this year.With many British holidaymakers expected to shun traditionally popular destinations within the eurozone in favour of more affordable alternatives, Essaouira could be one of the places to benefit, according to the Guardian.The newspaper has chosen the town as one of its top 20 non-eurozone destinations for 2009, claiming that it is poised to replace Tenerife as a popular spot for family holidays.Essaouira offers an alternative to the "skyrocketing" prices of the Canary Islands and is also able to provide comparable watersports facilities, according to the publication."The long arc of sand is ideal for all watersports, while the old town is great for browsing and bartering," the Guardian states.John Howell of the International Law Partnership recently recommended Morocco as an "adventurous location" for overseas property investors.Visit our off-plan property Morocco page.

source:http://www.ready2invest.co.uk/news-and-publications/news-articles/morocco-offers-alternative-to-canary-islands-200109.aspx

Le Maroc veut abriter la première plate-forme chimique mondiale, Jorf Phosphate Hub

JORF LASFAR (RÉGION D'EL JADIDA) ENVOYÉE SPÉCIALE

En dépit de la crise internationale, le Maroc poursuit son développement économique. C'est en tout cas le message qu'il veut faire passer. Lundi 12 janvier, les responsables de l'Office chérifien des phosphates (OCP) et de la Banque centrale populaire (BCP) ont annoncé qu'ils s'engageaient dans un partenariat stratégique à travers une prise de participation croisée. Une première dans le secteur public au Maroc. Mais c'était surtout l'occasion pour l'OCP d'affirmer sa volonté de renforcer sa position de leader mondial des phosphates.

Premier exportateur de ce minerai indispensable à la fabrication des engrais, le royaume dispose de réserves colossales : plus de 50 % des ressources connues de la planète. Les phosphates ont le vent en poupe. Le Maroc le sait et mise sur le fait que les besoins ne cesseront de croître. La sécurité alimentaire continuera de reposer sur l'utilisation des engrais chimiques, estime-t-il. En 2007 et 2008, l'industrie phosphatière a eu du mal à répondre à la demande internationale. Résultat : une envolée des prix. La tonne de phosphate marocain est passée de 40 à 250 dollars.
Pour rester dans la course face à des pays potentiellement concurrents comme l'Arabie saoudite, le royaume se lance dans la diversification. Aux investisseurs étrangers susceptibles de venir fabriquer sur place leurs produits phosphatés, il propose terrain viabilisé, installations, main-d'oeuvre qualifiée, approvisionnement en minerai et en produits intermédiaires, le tout dans le respect de l'environnement.
"LES PLUS COMPÉTITIFS"
Le site de Jorf Lasfar (à 200 kilomètres au sud de Rabat, non loin d'El Jadida) est au coeur de cette nouvelle stratégie. Le Maroc souhaite en faire la première plate-forme chimique mondiale, un véritable hub planétaire en matière de phosphates. Pour l'heure, Jorf Phosphate Hub (JPH) est un site étonnant où s'entrechoquent le XXe et le XXIe siècle. Sur les 1 800 hectares mis à disposition, seuls 450 sont déjà occupés par des investisseurs étrangers (pakistanais et brésilien, notamment).
D'un côté, des étendues d'herbes folles où paissent des vaches et des moutons. De l'autre, un enchevêtrement de conduits, de tuyaux, de poutres métalliques, de réservoirs en acier rutilant... Ici, un atelier de production d'acide phosphorique. Là, une unité de stockage d'ammoniaque ou de soufre (importés du Moyen-Orient). Trois cents mètres plus loin, et c'est une centrale électrique ou un laboratoire...
Entre l'ouverture de nouvelles mines de phosphate, la construction de deux pipelines, d'une usine de dessalement d'eau de mer, et l'extension du port de Jorf Lasfar, les investissements devraient s'élever à 4,5 milliards d'euros d'ici à 2012, et 11 milliards d'ici à 2020.
Le pari n'est-il pas trop risqué ? Le directeur général de l'OCP, Mostafa Terrab, et ses adjoints affichent une parfaite sérénité. "Peu importe que le cours baisse sur le marché mondial. Au contraire ! assurent-ils. Avec un phosphate d'excellente qualité, des ressources en quantité et des mines à proximité (ce qui diminue les coûts d'exploitation), nous sommes certains de rester les plus compétitifs."
Florence Beaugé

Aegean Marine Petroleum Network Inc. Announces Expansion Plans in Morocco

PIRAEUS, Greece, Jan. 6 Aegean-Marine-MoroccoCompany Appointed as the Exclusive Bunkering Company in Port of TangiersPIRAEUS, Greece, Jan. 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Aegean Marine Petroleum Network Inc. (NYSE: ANW) today announced that Horizon Tangiers Terminal S.A. (HTTSA), a special purpose consortium, has named Aegean as the exclusive bunkering company for the new port in Tangiers, Morocco. The agreement, which is scheduled to become effective in January 2009 upon completion of final documentation, will further expand Aegean's global presence. The appointment of Aegean by HTTSA is an important part of the consortium's effort to expand the modern port in this growing region. Currently, the port serves approximately 7,000 vessels on an annual basis and is expected to increase to more than 10,000 vessels annually in 2010. Aegean will provide retail bunkering services to ships in port on an exclusive basis for a period of 25 to 35 years. Aegean will also have the right to expand its operation beyond the port perimeter, which is strategically located along the Strait of Gibraltar connecting the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea. E. Nikolas Tavlarios, President, commented, "We are excited to have been appointed by HTTSA to serve as the exclusive, long-term bunkering company in the port of Tangiers upon conclusion of a competitive selection process. By once again entering a new strategic market, Aegean will further strengthen its leading position as an independent supplier of marine fuel on a global basis. The port of Tangiers serves as an attractive gateway to the vast Mediterranean and North African regions and is well positioned for future growth. As Tangiers continues to expand into a major transportation hub serving important shipping routes, we expect to enhance our ability to meet the burgeoning demand for our bunkering services and significantly increase sales volumes."Mr. Tavlarios added, "We expect to commence operations in the first quarter 2009 upon receiving the necessary trading, bunkering, and environmental licenses required by the local authorities. Going forward, we intend to draw upon our considerable financial strength and capitalize on additional expansion opportunities that complement our existing platform and drive long-term shareholder value." About Aegean Marine Petroleum Network Inc. Aegean Marine Petroleum Network Inc. is an international marine fuel logistics company that markets and physically supplies refined marine fuel and lubricants to ships in port and at sea. The Company procures product from various sources (such as refineries, oil producers, and traders) and resells it to a diverse group of customers across all major commercial shipping sectors and leading cruise lines. Currently, Aegean has a global presence in 13 markets, including Vancouver, Montreal, Mexico, Jamaica, West Africa, Gibraltar, U.K., Northern Europe, Greece, the United Arab Emirates as well as Singapore, and plans to commence operations in Tangiers, Morocco and the southern Caribbean.About Horizon Tangiers Terminals S.A. Horizon Tangiers Terminals S.A. is a special purpose consortium created to construct and develop an oil storage and distribution terminal at the new Tangiers port development. The shareholders of the consortium are comprised of Horizon Terminals Ltd., Afriquia SMDC, and Independent Petroleum Group.Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking StatementsMatters discussed in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides safe harbor protections for forward-looking statements in order to encourage companies to provide prospective information about their business. Forward-looking statements include statements concerning plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events or performance, and underlying assumptions and other statements, which are other than statements of historical facts.The Company desires to take advantage of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and is including this cautionary statement in connection with this safe harbor legislation. The words "believe," "intend," "anticipate," "estimate," "project," "forecast," "plan," "potential," "may," "should," "expect" and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements in this press release are based upon various assumptions, many of which are based, in turn, upon further assumptions, including without limitation, our management's examination of historical operating trends, data contained in our records and other data available from third parties. Although we believe that these assumptions were reasonable when made, because these assumptions are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies which are difficult or impossible to predict and are beyond our control, we cannot assure you that we will achieve or accomplish these expectations, beliefs or projections.In addition to these important factors, other important factors that, in our view, could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements include our ability to manage growth, our ability to maintain our business in light of our proposed business and location expansion, our ability to obtain double hull secondhand bunkering tankers, the outcome of legal, tax or regulatory proceedings to which we may become a party, adverse conditions in the shipping or the marine fuel supply industries, our ability to retain our key suppliers and key customers, material disruptions in the availability or supply of crude oil or refined petroleum products, changes in the market price of petroleum, including the volatility of spot pricing, increased levels of competition, compliance or lack of compliance with various environmental and other applicable laws and regulations, our ability to collect accounts receivable, changes in the political, economic or regulatory conditions in the markets in which we operate, and the world in general, our failure to hedge certain financial risks associated with our business, our ability to maintain our current tax treatments and our failure to comply with restrictions in our credit agreements and other factors. Please see our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission for a more complete discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties.