CONTENTS MOROCCO 2013:

10 14 16 20 22 25 28 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 46 48 Snapshot: Morocco in figures COUNTRY PROFILE At the crossroads of continents: Diversity defines the country’s geography and people Constitutional changes: Reforms realign powers between the monarchy and the parliament Viewpoint: His Majesty King Mohammed VI Interview: Abdel-Ilah Benkiran, Head of Government Interview: Alistair Burt, UK Minister for the Middle East and North Africa ECONOMY A balancing act: Sticking to industrialisation plan despite stalling economy Offshoring success: The country aims to maintain its lead in outsourced services Interview: Nizar Baraka, Minister of Economy and Finance Interview: Chakib Benmoussa, President, Economic, Social and Environmental Council Doing business: A look at the local commercial environment Interview: Ahmed Fassi-Fihri, Investment Promotion Manager, Moroccan Investment Development Agency Up to standard: Working with the EU to harmonise laws and regulations Creative capitalisation: Private equity becomes an attractive alternative to traditional funding Young and restless: Targeting unemployment Fighting poverty: The climb to social prosperity 50 55 56 57 58 63 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 78 84 85 86 88 97 98 99 100 101 103 105 BANKING A steady hand: Cash injections by the central bank have helped to maintain strong levels of financing amid a crisis Interview: Abdellatif Jouahri, Governor, Bank Al Maghrib Interview: Mohamed El Kettani, CEO, Attijariwafa Bank From the ground up: New legislation promises to introduce more Islamic finance options Banking on entrepreneurs: Small businesses are being offered an unprecedented amount of support CAPITAL MARKETS Encouraging activity: The authorities are looking to reforms to energise the market A regional role: Flagship project aims to attract a growing share of investment in Africa Interview: Karim Hajji, CEO, Casablanca Stock Exchange Viewpoint: Younes Benjelloun, Partner and CEO, CFG Group Stocks & bonds: Share analysis & data provided by CFG Group Risma: Hospitality Lesieur Cristal: Agribusiness Groupe Banque Populaire: Banking Wafa Assurance: Insurance Disway: Software Groupe Alliances: Real estate INSURANCE Expanding the market: Growth expected from new products and foreign expansion Interview: Mohammed El Alaoui El Abdallaoui, General Manager, Moroccan Pension Fund Staking a claim: Foreign direct investment helps to spur sector expansion Interview: Moulay Hafid Elalamy, President, Saham Group, and President, CNIA Saada INDUSTRY & RETAIL Hitting the target: Ambitious goals and open markets bode well for the future Interview: Saïda Lamrani Karim, Vice-President, Groupe Safari Interview: Guy Hachey, President, Bombardier Aerospace A picture of health: Despite setbacks, local producers have maintained high standards Interview: Miriem Bensalah Chaqroun, President, General Confederation of Moroccan Enterprises Picking up speed: Generous incentives and demographic changes mean new prospects Taking off: International aerospace firms are looking to set up operations locally Shop ‘til you drop: The growth of the middle class is changing spending habits 111 115 116 122 124 131 133 134 135 139 142 146 147 148 151 159 161 162 163 167 169 173 180 181 IT & TELECOMS Expanding access: Increased internet penetration continues to drive the sector Interview: Mohamed Lakhlifi, President, Federation of Information Technologies, Telecommunications and Offshoring Reaping the rewards: The sector prepares for 4G and mobile virtual network operators Keeping in touch: Faster mobile internet and better-quality connections are on the way TOURISM Holding the line: Enhancing and diversifying offerings in the face of a difficult context Take it to the regions: A new authority will implement the Vision 2020 and decentralise sector development Interview: Lahcen Haddad, Minister of Tourism Interview: Yann Caillère, President and COO, Accor Group Just what the doctor ordered: Medical tourism is providing a fillip for sector expansion Right place, right price: The entry of low-cost carriers has transformed air travel MINING Out with the old: The state is implementing a new investor-friendly code to diversify production beyond just phosphates Interview: Mustapha Terrab, CEO, OCP Group In a strong position: Phosphates continue to dominate the sector A long wait: The new mining code should bring about big changes TRANSPORT Linking up: New expansion continues to receive wide public sector support Open skies: Air traffic stands to benefit from a number of new incentives, partnerships and infrastructure developments Interview: Abdelaziz Rabbah, Minister of Equipment and Transport Interview: Hartmut Goeritz, Director-General, APM Terminals Tangier Connect and conquer: Boosting logistics is central to long-term sector improvement From every angle: Private sector and foreign partners are helping to take transport facilities in the kingdom to the next level Laying tracks: Operators are preparing for increases in passenger and freight traffic CONSTRUCTION & REAL ESTATE Building up: Growth in the industrial, energy and commercial sectors should continue to drive activity Interview: Mohammed Fassi-Fehri, Director-General, CDG Development Raising roofs: A multi-pronged approach to boost social housing stock in the medium term 182 186 189 195 198 199 203 210 213 214 217 221 222 224 227 228 230 237 238 Change in the winds: The establishment of new cities focuses on helping to close the social housing gap In the world’s eye: Domestic commercial projects draw international support AGRICULTURE Planting the seeds: Development plan should accelerate recovery from the 2011/12 season Looking to the seas: Plans to triple fisheries output by 2020 Planning for growth: Restructuring sector to boost production is a key strategic aim Cash crops: Fruit and vegetable output stands to raise sector exports ENERGY Up to the challenge: Efforts gain momentum to diversify sources and improve efficiency A bright future: Tapping domestic potential to become a regional pioneer in solar power Interview: Ali Fassi-Fihri, Director-General, National Office of Electricity and Water Supply Interview: Amina Benkhadra, General Director, National Hydrocarbons and Mining Office ENVIRONMENT A clean commitment: Renewable programmes key to a progressive energy policy Interview: Ahmed Squalli, President, Amisole Wastewater management: Improvements are being made to sewerage treatment and network connections HEALTH Enhancing provision: Expanding access to health care and boosting infrastructure Interview: Houssaine Louardi, Minister of Health Caring for those in need: Making health care available to lower-income communities EDUCATION Building skills: The government keeps up efforts to reposition the education system Interview: Thami Ghorfi, President, ESCA Ecole de Management Getting technical: Authorities work to increase the number of engineers 240 246 255 265 267 269 271 273 275 277 279 283 286 289 290 291 292 293 294 295 296 298 302 304 MEDIA & ADVERTISING Hot off the press: Online ventures gain ground while Arabic newspapers show resilience Pushing for transparency: Structural developments and audience monitoring systems are changing the face of the sector ORIENTAL Nothing’s quiet on the eastern front: Growing investment and integration look set to help boost the region Interview: Mohamed Mbarki, Director, Oriental Agency Rural potential: Niche tourism offers investment opportunities away from beach resorts Next door neighbour: An open border could further boost economic cooperation A welcome facelift: Revamped centres and development of cultural spaces are helping to transform the capital Living off the land: The region aims to increase agricultural yields and expand agro-industry offerings Pushing for industry: Better connected transport infrastructure boosts exports Digging it up: Law reforms and added incentives should boost mining investment Funding growth: A new programme is putting small businesses on the map TAX KPMG Reforming legislation: A look at the kingdom’s new taxation law Viewpoint: Fouad Lahgazi, Senior Partner, KPMG LEGAL FRAMEWORK Kettani Law Firm Global standards: Updating the legal system to attract foreign investors Modernising financial laws: Tracking efforts to raise standards in the derivatives market Moving money: Steps to codify the regulation of foreign exchange Cash flow and capital: Overview of corporate law and recent reforms New free zones: The ins and outs of offshoring to encourage foreign investment Increased commitment: Standardising health care provision and labour policies Status report: The advantages attached to gaining CFC status Viewpoint: Nadia Kettani, Partner, Kettani Law Firm THE GUIDE Rest for the weary: Selected hotels in Rabat, Casablanca, Marrakech and around the country Listings: Important numbers for ministries and government agencies Facts for visitors: Information for travellers