http://www.zawya.com/middle-east/countries/moroccoen-usCopyright 2012 Zawya Ltd. All rights reserved.Fri, 10 Feb 2012 12:48:00 GMT1314476http://www.zawya.com/middle-east/countries/moroccohttp://www.zawya.com/images/newsletter_zawya_logo.gifhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidpdf_100212125353/BMI_Morocco_Infrastructure_Report__Dec11The Moroccan construction industry is estimated to have experienced real growth of around 7.4% in 2011, with the sector recovering from the period of relatively subdued growth seen in 2009 and 2010. Underpinned by a healthy pipeline of infrastructure projects, multilateral financing and a robust economic growth outlook, we expect the sector to continue on this strong growth trajectory over the medium to long-term. We have pencilled in real growth of around 6.5% year-on-year (y-o-y) for Morocco?s construction industry in 2012 and we expect real industry growth to average between 5% and 6% per annum between 2012 and 2016. 2012=6.5%Infrastructure developments include:- Morocco?s expenditure on infrastructure will help underpin average real GDP growth of 3.9% per year in the period 2011-2016, according to BMI?s forecasts. The government stepped up its spending on basic infrastructure to MAD400bn (US$47.26bn) for 2008-2012, up from just MAD80bn (US$9.45bn) for the previous period. Roads, ports, airports and transmission grids have been among the assets to benefit from the stronger spending, providing a windfall for established firms.- In November 2011, the World Bank agreed to provide US$297mn in financial assistance to Morocco for the development of one of the world's largest solar power plants. The loan will support the first phase of the solar power plant, which is due to have a capacity of 500MW. The Ouarzazate concentrated solar power plant is part of the country's solar power programme, worth US$9bn, and holds significant importance for Morocco. Of the total loan amount, US$200mn will be provided through its fund that lends to middle-income countries, while the remaining US$97mn will be granted under the World Bank Clean Technology Fund.- In May 2011, Moroccan state power company Office National de l'Electricité (ONE) invited wind turbine companies to submit expressions of interest in building and operating a 150MW wind farm 300km north-east of Rabat. MoroccoFri, 10 Feb 2012 12:48:00 GMTBusiness Monitor International Limited pdf_100212125353Subscriptionhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120210090913/Morocco_aims_to_revitalise_public_schoolsAs part of sweeping reform plans to improve Morocco's competiveness, the government of Abdelilah Benkirane intends to overhaul the education sector, improving state schools and universities. Fri, 10 Feb 2012 09:49:42 GMTMagharebia.com ZAWYA20120210090913Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120210090911/IMF_favours_AlgeriaMorocco_rapprochementReopening the Algerian-Moroccan border will boost economic growth in the Maghreb and accelerate integration, International Monetary Fund Managing Director Christine Lagarde said last week. Fri, 10 Feb 2012 09:47:49 GMTMagharebia.com ZAWYA20120210090911Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidANA20120209T122301ZHSW94/Renault_opens_factory_in_Morocco_stirs_controversy_at_homeRenault inaugurates on Thursday a giant factory in Morocco to build low-cost cars, sparking controversy at home in France where a loss of industrial competitiveness has rankled.Thu, 09 Feb 2012 12:41:47 GMTAFP ANA20120209T122301ZHSW94Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidANA20120209T104807ZHSL19/Tunisian_president_wants_early_Maghreb_summitTunisia's new President Moncef Marzouki Thursday paid a visit to his father's grave on the second day of a visit to Morocco marked by an appeal for reviving the dormant Maghreb Union.Thu, 09 Feb 2012 12:20:35 GMTAFP ANA20120209T104807ZHSL19Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120209035217/Global_mutual_fund_assets_put_at_259_trillionShashank Srivastava, acting CEO of the Qatar Financial Centre Authority, said, "The QFCA is delighted to be a sponsor once again of this latest GCC Mutual Fund Industry Survey.Thu, 09 Feb 2012 07:03:08 GMTArab News ZAWYA20120209035217Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidGN_08022012_090208/MENA_advertising_to_grow_34_on_social_networks_in_five_years Advertising is expected to grow 34 per cent on social networks in the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region in the coming years, experts at the Digital Media Forum have said.Thu, 09 Feb 2012 06:14:30 GMTGulf News GN_08022012_090208Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidANA20120208T130028ZHOX26/Tunisia_president_in_Morocco_to_promote_Maghreb_unionTunisia's new President Moncef Marzouki arrived in Morocco Wednesday to push for a revival of a dormant project to unify the Maghreb region on his first foreign tour since taking office.Wed, 08 Feb 2012 13:46:56 GMTAFP ANA20120208T130028ZHOX26Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120208032245/Middle_East_firms_focus_on_market_competitiveness_of_staff_packagesTalent management and organizational effectiveness are high on the agenda this year for Middle Eastern companies, according to Hay Group's Business Outlook study for 2012. Wed, 08 Feb 2012 12:36:55 GMTArab News ZAWYA20120208032245Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120208095836/Ipsos_release_online_panel_dataTwo years after the launching of the Online Audience Measurement project, Ipsos has released KSA and Egypt panel data. Wed, 08 Feb 2012 10:23:51 GMTPress Release ZAWYA20120208095836Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidpdf_080212061346/Banque_Audi_MENA_Weekly_Monitor_03Feb12This is a PDF report. Wed, 08 Feb 2012 06:13:00 GMTBanque Audi pdf_080212061346Subscription