The Moroccan weekly press issued on Saturday, September 7, 2024, covered several important topics ranging from the water crisis to education and investment. Here are the highlights of these headlines:
Seawater Desalination: A Necessary but Energy-Intensive Solution In light of the acute water crisis facing Morocco, the country has decided to accelerate seawater desalination projects to meet the increasing demand for water. According to an energy management expert, the ten projects under development will require 1.57 terawatt-hours of electrical energy annually, necessitating a renewable capacity of up to 450 megawatts, which may reach 900 megawatts to achieve the goal of 800 million cubic meters per year.
Back to School: High Costs and New Measures With the beginning of the new academic year, parents face rising costs of school supplies. However, some supplies have seen a slight decrease in prices thanks to a 7% VAT exemption provided by the government on raw materials and a series of products. The government has also decided to replace the “One Million Schoolbags” initiative with direct financial support for needy families starting from this 2024-2025 academic year.
Promising Investment Opportunities in Libya for Moroccan Investors Libyan Foreign Minister (Benghazi government) Abdulhadi Ibrahim Lahweej stated that there are promising opportunities for Moroccan investors in Libya, especially in the fields of reconstruction, infrastructure, renewable energy, health, and services. The minister praised Morocco’s role in supporting stability in Libya.
Morocco Targets Investment in Chinese Automotive Industry Moroccan Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch visited China’s Anhui province, considered the country’s second-largest platform for car production and export. This visit aims to attract Chinese industrial investments to Morocco, where Akhannouch met with senior local officials and prominent Chinese businessmen.
Tension Prevails in Universities at the Start of the Academic Year Moroccan universities are witnessing tension as the 2024-2025 academic year approaches, especially in medical schools which continue to experience the longest strike in their history. This comes amid the ongoing conflict between the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research and other parties in the sector.