On the economic side, Morocco’s economy continued to perform strongly in the third quarter of 2011, with GDP growth slightly lower than in previous quarters but still strongly outpacing its European neighbors to the north. Inflation was also down on recent months to very low levels.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has forecast further healthy expansion in 2012, saying that average GDP growth could reach as much as 6% in the medium term. The leading party in the country’s new coalition government, the Justice and Development Party (PJD), is targeting 7% growth. Challenges for 2012 include tackling the country’s rising subsidy bill and fiscal deficit (which the PJD hopes to do in part by widening the tax base) and keeping growth on track in the face of economic problems in the EU, Morocco’s largest trading partner.
The Moroccan High Planning Commission estimates economic growth in the third quarter of 2011 stood at 4.1%, slightly below the first and second quarters when growth stood at 4.9% and 4.2%, respectively. The fall in growth reflected a comparative slowdown in the non-agricultural economy, which the commission estimated to have fallen from an expansion of 4.7% in the first quarter to 4.2% in the second and third quarters, and in the mining and tourism industries in particular.
Politics
Daral Hayat (01/08) – The History of the Moroccan-Algerian Border
Eurasia Review (01/08) – Morocco: Salafist Jihadists Emerge From Shadows
World Tribune (01/06) – Moroccan king maintains control over new Islamist government
Magharebia (01/06) – Salafist Jihadists emerge from shadows in Morocco
Zawya (01/03) – Marzouki: I will visit soon Algeria and Morocco to boost Arab Maghreb union
Economy/Business
Power Engineering (01/09) – Morocco’s state power firm invites companies to bid for five wind farm projects
Industrial Fuels and Power (01/09) – Morocco invites bids for 850MW wind farm programme
Green Med Journal (01/09) – MOROCCO, FOCUS ON INCREASING CITRUS EXPORTS TO RUSSIA
CBS News (01/09) – Spanish fishermen protest end of Morocco accord
Euro News (01/09) – Spanish fishermen protest cancelled EU deal with Morocco
Global Arab Network (01/08) – Morocco’s economy – Further healthy expansion in 2012
MENA FN.com (01/08) – Morocco’s ONE Issues Tender for Wind Farms
Green Prophet (01/08) – First Solar-Powered Eco Pool in Morocco Uses Zero Chemicals
Morocco Board (01/06) – Agriculture, EU and Morocco’s GDP
Society/Culture
The New York Times (01/09) – Dakhla, Morocco
Irish Times (01/07) – Getting to know Fez by its food
Middle East Monitor (01/06) – Arts festival in Morocco commemorating third anniversary of Operation Cast Lead
