According to Bloomberg, bank lending to Morocco rose at the fastest pace in the Arab world as the kingdom steers clear of political turmoil that toppled regimes in Libya, Tunisia and Egypt. International loans to the country climbed $1.3 billion, or 14 percent, in the first quarter, compared with the 0.3 percent increase in total credit to Africa and the Middle East.
Also, Scoop wrote an article on Western Sahara, its phosphate rock reserves, and potential negative implications for Australia as the country continues purchasing Sahara’s phosphate from Morocco.
Politics
The Associated Press (09/22) – AP IMPACT: NYPD eyed US citizens in intel effort
Google (09/22) – Morocco bomb trial resumes
All Africa.com (09/22) – Morocco: Deauville Partnership’s Goals Consistent With Morocco’s Reforms – FM
The Mellow Jihadi (09/21) – A Revolution in Morocco
All Africa.com (09/21) – Morocco: Rabat, Tunis Committed to Renewed Relationship Based On Democracy and Development, Minister
The Sahara
Scoop (09/22) – Western Sahara & Phosphate Rock: Australia in a Hard Place?
FIS (09/21) – Spanish and Moroccan associations in favour of fisheries agreement
Forced Migration (09/21) – Refugees from Western Sahara
The United Nations Office in Geneva (09/19) – MOROCCO AND WESTERN SAHARA: UNITED NATIONS EXPERT CALLS FOR BETTER PROMOTION OF CULTURAL RIGHTS AND DIVERSITY
Economy/Business
Bloomberg (09/22) – Morocco Wins Credit for Economy-Boosting Reforms: Arab Credit
Reuters (09/22) – Moroccan govt bails out flag carrier for $193 mln
Sun Herald.com (09/22) – Research and Markets: The Future of Morocco Oil and Gas Industry to 2020- Forecasts of Supply, Demand, Investment, Companies and Infrastructure
The Africa Report (09/22) – Maritime transport in Middle east and North Africa: In search of a port in a storm
Reuters (09/21) – UPDATE 1-Morocco’s OCP prices maiden bond issue
Magharebia (09/21) – Aspiring entrepreneurs struggle in Morocco
Society/Culture
Holykaw (09/21) – Climbing goats threaten Morocco’s oil-rich trees
MENA Region
Bloomberg (09/22) – Rouen Weekly Grain Exports Rise 38% as Algeria Takes More Wheat
NPR (09/22) – The Nation: Obama’s Global Arc Of Instability
The Moment (09/22) – UN and quest for the State of Palestine
Taiwan News (09/22) – Tunisian army clashes with militants in desert
The New York Times (09.21) – Western Finance Bodies Face Challenges in Funding Arab Spring Countries
Market Watch (09/21) – HP Invests for Growth in Africa
Times of Kabul (09/21) – Sandstorms in the false Arab Spring
The Jewish Week (09/20) – Fruit Of Arab Spring?