The 2nd Meeting on Industry, or “Assises de l’industrie”, held in Casablanca on May 5, was a wonderful opportunity to take stock of the achievements of the PNEI (National Pact for the Industrial Emergence), in the presence of the various stakeholders and international partners.

The industrial performance of 2010 was very satisfactory under the six headings of the pact, namely the 4 FDI-oriented growth driving forces in Morocco (offshoring, automotive, aeronautics and electronics), and the country’s more traditional ones (leather/textiles and agri-foods). Also satisfactory were the integrated industrial platforms (P2I), which turned in good performance in the fields of SME competitiveness, training and business climate.

Thanks to the mobilisation of the State and the private sector, Morocco successfully developed and brought to market a competitive offer, meeting the needs of investors. Morocco is well on the way to success in the various areas of business development, aiming at the emergence of a strong industry generating economic growth.

The 6 growth driving forces in Morocco have shown great performance in 2010 and exports have been in increase as well.

10 out of the 15 integrated industrial platforms (business development zones), have been delivered to the developers, adding up to 1,500 hectares out of the 2,000 scheduled under the program contract.

Particular interest has been devoted to the development of small and medium-sized enterprises (SME), through interrelated support programswhose purpose is to improve the SME’s productivity (Imtiaz, Moussanada and Inmaa) and the deployment of new initiatives such as the rating platforms and the SME observatory.

In the training field, numerous efforts have been deployed to support the development of the different Professions contributing to national industrial strategy. For this purpose a number of specialist institutes have been set up and training plans implemented.

Finally, with support and commitment from all actors, major reforms have been implemented to improve the business climate, ensuring good governance and the reinforcement of transparency. These initiatives are currently in their final stages, drawing increasing interest from investors all over the world.

Proinsur sets up in Tangier

The Spanish specialist in plastics injection Proinsur set up an industrial unit in the Free Zone of Tangiers, investing €2 million. Proinsur is a producer of lighting components for the automotive industry and plastic components for the health and electronics sectors.

Two Spanish companies to set up in Tangiers

Components manufacturer CIE Automotive and Hispamoldes, specialists in plastics injection, will be setting up a joint venture for two manufacturing units in the Free Zone of Tangiers to produce automotive components for the Renault factory. The first project plans investment of €1.1 billion for the manufacture of plastics components to start up in 2011 for fuel injection systems, creating 80 new jobs between now and 2012.

The second unit dedicated to the manufacture and maintenance of injection moulds will come on stream before the end of 2011.

Alstom and Nexans team up for rail industry production in Morocco

These two French groups are to set up a 50/50 joint venture in Morocco for the production of bundled railway transmission cables and low voltage electrical cubicles, which will contribute to fitting out the Casablanca tramway system, and the future high-speed train. Start up is planned in September 2011, and the new company will be making its initial deliveries early in 2012, employing nearly 400 people in 2015 and 650 in 2018. The business plan is to generate revenues of 314.5 million Dirhams in 2015 and 685 million Dirhams in 2018.

Cold chain carrier Akacia in Morocco

Akacia, the French specialist in cold chain logistics opened its first subsidiary in Morocco, to be equipped with a major fleet of refrigerated trucks meeting PIEK standards compliant to the environmental charter “CO2 target, freight industry commitment.”

Enisa plans coal processing plant in Morocco

ENISA-Energy Group from Turkey will be setting up a coal processing plant at Jorf Lasfar in Morocco to supply the whole of the Mediterranean basin.

ENISA-Energy intends to make Morocco an international hub for coal distribution.

Sonar Sierra starts business in Morocco

Portuguese group Sonae Sierra, a specialist in the development and management of shopping malls, is starting up a new business in Morocco. Having signed its first contract with Marjane et Foncière Chellah (CDG Group). Sonae Sierra plans to build and develop a 130 store shopping mall covering a floor area of 40,700 m² between now and 2013.

Hotel Marina de Casablanca under Oberoi management

A memorandum of understanding was signed between the New Marina Casablanca Company owned by the CDG Group and the Oberoi Hotels & Resorts group, under which the future 5 star luxury Casablanca Marina hotel will be managed by Oberoi under the “Oberoi Casablanca” name. The new luxury hotel covers 13,757 m² offering 150 rooms on 3 floors.

Gujarat Fluorochemicals starts up mining projectin Taourirt

Indian company Gujarat Fluorochemicals Limited is to start up a mining project in Taourirt, in the North-East of Morocco, planned output being 40,000 tonnes of fluoric acid annually. Start-up is planned for September for an investment of $8 million to ensure the construction of an extraction and transformation unit, creating nearly 150 direct new jobs.

Theolia announces major wind farm projectin Morocco

French-based Theolia and the National Office of Moroccan Electricity signed a protocol of agreement for the development and joint construction of a 300 MW wind farm in Tetouan, scheduled for June 2012. Total outlay on the project is €6.6 billion.

Ratification of the Convention between the Kingdom of Morocco and Ireland tending to the avoidance of dual taxation and the prohibition of income tax evasion (Dahir No.1-11-08 of February 18, 2011, promulgation of Law No. 31-10).

Creation of the “Tangier Automotive City” Export Free Zone in Tangier, covering 178 hectares dedicated to businesses and services in the automotive field, and to developing the potential for other activities (agri-foods, textiles and leather, metallurgical industry, mechanical, electrical, and electronic engineering, chemical and parachemical industry) (Decree No. 2-10-337 of April 20, 2011).

NEW REGULATIONS ON INVESTMENT AND INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS

BUSINESS ENVIRONMENTMEETING ON INDUSTRY

MEETING ON INDUSTRY

National Commission for Business Environment – General review 2010

The National Commission for Business Environment (CNEA) under the presidency of the Prime Minister, is playing an active role in the design and implementation of the reforms contributing to business climate improvement in Morocco.

To further establish its legitimacy and sustainability, the Committee, brought into being as a special purpose partnership between the public and private sectors, was given, in October 2010, an institutional status by decree.

On May 19, 2011, the Prime Minister, Mr. Abbas El Fassi chaired a meeting on both the 2010 general review and the presentation of the Committee’s new agenda. This official gathering was composed of private sector representatives as well as ministerial departments’ members.

In 2010, CNEA has initiated strategic projects resulting in major reforms answeringthe needs and concerns of economic operators.

Among these, the following are worthy of mention:

Simplification on the law on Limited Liability Companies by waiving the requirement for minimum capital and the procedure for capital deposit in a protected account prior to online company start-ups ;

Introduction of single Enterprise Identification Number for smoother and more consistent processing of enterprise related data by public sector administrations ;

Reform of Commercial Tribunals, whose goal is easing access to information and protecting investors ;

A draft decree on public procurement and encouraging recourse to arbitration procedures.

Active involvement in the set-up of the Central Body for Combating Corruption and its www.stopcorruption.ma portal.

Furthermore, the CNEA will in 2011 take into consideration top priority requests from economic operators, in the light of their needs, and the recommendations of world reports on the business climate, to turn its detailed attention to new strategic issues. Among these are acquisition of development land and a more regionally-oriented approach to the implementation of business climate improvement, and the simplification of start-up procedures for joint stock companies (sociétés anonymes), the tax aspects of changes in landed property ownership, the reform of competition law, the reform of the SME charter, and the reform of procedures governing transactions in the equity of listed companies.

AgendaSeptember 19 to 21

Aeromart in Casablanca

November 15

Investment Conference in London

www.invest.gov.ma

Moroccan Investment Develoment Agency

NewsletterN°3

June 2011

AMDI NEWS

AMDI NEWS

FOCUS ON ELECTRONICS

Morocco, guest of honour at the World Investment Conference

A high level Moroccan delegation under the leadership of the Minister of Industry, Trade and New Technologies, Mr. Ahmed Réda Chami, and consisting of businessmen and leaders of major companies, took part in the 9th World Investment Conference held at La Baule from May 25 to 27, 2011.

Morocco’s involvement in this event was the work of AMDI (Moroccan Investment Development Agency), which ensured that this initiative was framed by work currently ongoing to reinforce Morocco’s position as a privileged destination for foreign investment.

Offshoring Events

• AMDI, in partnership with French economic daily Les Echos on March 29, 2011 organised a conference on the following theme “Morocco – France: towards sustainable and mutually beneficial partnership in the field of customer relationship management.”

• A delegation made up of AMDI, MedZ Sourcing and TMSA (Tetouanshore) took part in the Shared Services Conference and Outsourcing Week held in Amsterdam from May 9 to 11, 2011.

AMDI-FIEEC Partnership Convention

AMDI and the French Federation of Electrical, Electronical and Communication Industries (FIEEC) signed on May 24, 2011, a partnership agreement in Paris to provide a framework for strong collaboration between the two organisations, culminating in Morocco’s participation as a country singled out for special honour at the CIEN

(Electronics and Digital Industry Meeting) trade fair in Paris from May 24 to May 26, 2011.

Recoletos Meeting

AMDI, in collaboration with Spanish press group Recoletos, organised a breakfast in Madrid on May 19, 2011 on the theme of “New opportunities for investment in Morocco in the automotive sector” followed by B2B meetings with companies in the sector.

International Paris air Show - Le Bourget

AMDI, in partnership with GIMAS (Group of Moroccan Aeronautical and Space Industries) took part in the 49th International Paris air Show at Le Bourget from June 20 to 26, 2011, supported by a substantial delegation from Morocco.

The event was an opportunity for Mr. Ahmed Réda Chami, Minister of Industry, Trade and New Technologies, to hold a conference to present fast-moving developments in the aeronautics sector in Morocco, notably setting up the Aeronautics Institute (IMA), and the inception of work on the set-up of the future Aerospace Free Zone at Nouacer.

Morocco is increasingly considered as a major target for inward investors by key actors in the electronic industry.

Industry leaders have placed their trust in Morocco, and a new generation of increasingly integrated sub-contractors have come into being (sub-contractors taking integrated responsibility for design, industrial development and purchasing of raw materials and components), who are available for outsourcing.

The potential for growth in the sector is estimated to make 2.5 billion Dirham further contribution to GDP, and to directly create 9,000 new jobs by 2015.

The Electronics Plan sets the target for the development of 3 sub-sectors of specialist electronics:

Mecatronics

Industrial electronics

Onboard electronics for automotive and aeronautics industries.

Key targets:

Over sixty companies

9,600 employees in the electronics sector

6.7 billion Dirham revenues in 2010

Electronics-dedicated districts in 5 multi-service industrial estates

Onboard Electronics Zone (Free Zones)

• Atlantic Free Zone (Kénitra)

• Tangier Automotive City

• Nouaceur Aerospace City (Casablanca)

Mecatronic/Industrial Electronics Casablanca

Electronics Cluster – Mohammedia

The following companies and organizations have placed their trust in Morocco

Sectorial National Strategy for 2015 (PNEI)*:

Boosting GDP by 2.5 billion Dirhams

9,000 new direct jobs

Priority businesses:

• Mecatronics (metal and foundry work, circuit board assembly,

plastic component manufacture)

• Onboard electronics (automotive & aeronautics)

• Industrial electronics

* National Pact for Industrial Emergence

Morocco Offer:

Free Zone status providing complete exemption on Corporate Tax for the first five years, followed by a ceiling 8.75% in the next 20 years

Financial support up to 10% of total investment commitment

Provision for the development of qualified human resources:

• System to assist operators in the take-up of employment training opportunities and continuous training

• Training tailored to sector needs to insure the availabilityof 9,000 qualified staff

International exhibition of agriculture in Morocco (Salon International de l’Agriculture au Maroc) – SIAM

AMDI took part in the SIAM trade fair focussing on agricultural issues in Morocco, on this year’s theme of “Agriculture for solidarity”, which focussed on the second pillar of the “Green Morocco” plan, dealing with issues of support for and solidarity with the agricultural smallholdings and small scale farming..

Road Show in the Gulf Countries

AMDI, accompanied by a major delegation of leaders of industry, organised its second mission to the Gulf States, “Invest in Morocco Road Show 2011”, from May 28 to June 5.

The delegation was led by Mr. Fathallah Sijilmassi, Director General of AMDI, with a view to presenting detailed projects to

potential investors from target countries in the Gulf region, mainly the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.

UNCTAD

AMDI, through its Director General Mr. Fathallah Sijilmassi, represented Morocco at the Annual Investment Meeting, AIM 2011, jointly organised by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)

and the Government of the United Arab Emirates from May 10 to 12 2011 in Dubai.

The forum was an opportunity to present the new UNCTAD-ICC Investment guide to Morocco, as part of the “Morocco Showcase”.

Testimony:

Pasquale Pistorio ST.Microelectronics – Former President

«We were impressed by the skills and enthusiasm of the young Moroccan engineers and were delighted by the contribution they made to our range of technologies and innovative services, and at the role they play in growing high tech industry in Morocco.”

Sector news:

Under its strategy for investment promotion, AMDI took part in the 2nd edition of the Electronics and digital industry meeting (CIEN –Carrefour de l’Industrie Electronique et Numérique ) at Paris-Porte de Versailles May 24 to 26 2011.Morocco was a “guest country”.

Morocco is NASDAQ’s guest of honour in New York

A major delegation led by Mr. Salahedinne Mezouara, Minister of the Economy and Finance, and accompanied by leading members of the public and private sector of the Kingdom, including the Director General of AMDI, travelled to New York on May 26 with a view to raising the profile of Morocco, in terms of its economic potential and investment opportunities, as part of the free trade agreement between Morocco and the United States.

Media Campaign:

On May 9, AMDI launched a second media campaign across France and Spain with a view to improving the perception of Morocco and strengthening the Kingdom’s status as an economy of preference for investors in both countries respectively.

The campaign began on April 4 in Spain, and on May 2 in France, and was widely reported, in the general and trade press, and in television media.

AMDI also pursued its action plan by further targeting Germany and Italy, who are in the top 10 of global investors.

United States Road Show:

A Moroccan delegation under the presidency of the Minister of Industry, Trade and New Technologies, Mr. Ahmed Réda Chami, went to the United States, between 9 and 17 April, to present the investment opportunities and to meet high level business and government leaders, CEOs of the automotive and aeronautics sectors, investment decision makers, and associations of component manufacturers and members of the Arab American Chamber of Commerce.

AMDI is in charge of following up the investment projects identified on this occasion.

AMDI NEWS

AMDI NEWS

FOCUS ON ELECTRONICS

Morocco, guest of honour at the World Investment Conference

A high level Moroccan delegation under the leadership of the Minister of Industry, Trade and New Technologies, Mr. Ahmed Réda Chami, and consisting of businessmen and leaders of major companies, took part in the 9th World Investment Conference held at La Baule from May 25 to 27, 2011.

Morocco’s involvement in this event was the work of AMDI (Moroccan Investment Development Agency), which ensured that this initiative was framed by work currently ongoing to reinforce Morocco’s position as a privileged destination for foreign investment.

Offshoring Events

• AMDI, in partnership with French economic daily Les Echos on March 29, 2011 organised a conference on the following theme “Morocco – France: towards sustainable and mutually beneficial partnership in the field of customer relationship management.”

• A delegation made up of AMDI, MedZ Sourcing and TMSA (Tetouanshore) took part in the Shared Services Conference and Outsourcing Week held in Amsterdam from May 9 to 11, 2011.

AMDI-FIEEC Partnership Convention

AMDI and the French Federation of Electrical, Electronical and Communication Industries (FIEEC) signed on May 24, 2011, a partnership agreement in Paris to provide a framework for strong collaboration between the two organisations, culminating in Morocco’s participation as a country singled out for special honour at the CIEN

(Electronics and Digital Industry Meeting) trade fair in Paris from May 24 to May 26, 2011.

Recoletos Meeting

AMDI, in collaboration with Spanish press group Recoletos, organised a breakfast in Madrid on May 19, 2011 on the theme of “New opportunities for investment in Morocco in the automotive sector” followed by B2B meetings with companies in the sector.

International Paris air Show - Le Bourget

AMDI, in partnership with GIMAS (Group of Moroccan Aeronautical and Space Industries) took part in the 49th International Paris air Show at Le Bourget from June 20 to 26, 2011, supported by a substantial delegation from Morocco.

The event was an opportunity for Mr. Ahmed Réda Chami, Minister of Industry, Trade and New Technologies, to hold a conference to present fast-moving developments in the aeronautics sector in Morocco, notably setting up the Aeronautics Institute (IMA), and the inception of work on the set-up of the future Aerospace Free Zone at Nouacer.

Morocco is increasingly considered as a major target for inward investors by key actors in the electronic industry.

Industry leaders have placed their trust in Morocco, and a new generation of increasingly integrated sub-contractors have come into being (sub-contractors taking integrated responsibility for design, industrial development and purchasing of raw materials and components), who are available for outsourcing.

The potential for growth in the sector is estimated to make 2.5 billion Dirham further contribution to GDP, and to directly create 9,000 new jobs by 2015.

The Electronics Plan sets the target for the development of 3 sub-sectors of specialist electronics:

Mecatronics

Industrial electronics

Onboard electronics for automotive and aeronautics industries.

Key targets:

Over sixty companies

9,600 employees in the electronics sector

6.7 billion Dirham revenues in 2010

Electronics-dedicated districts in 5 multi-service industrial estates

Onboard Electronics Zone (Free Zones)

• Atlantic Free Zone (Kénitra)

• Tangier Automotive City

• Nouaceur Aerospace City (Casablanca)

Mecatronic/Industrial Electronics Casablanca

Electronics Cluster – Mohammedia

The following companies and organizations have placed their trust in Morocco

Sectorial National Strategy for 2015 (PNEI)*:

Boosting GDP by 2.5 billion Dirhams

9,000 new direct jobs

Priority businesses:

• Mecatronics (metal and foundry work, circuit board assembly,

plastic component manufacture)

• Onboard electronics (automotive & aeronautics)

• Industrial electronics

* National Pact for Industrial Emergence

Morocco Offer:

Free Zone status providing complete exemption on Corporate Tax for the first five years, followed by a ceiling 8.75% in the next 20 years

Financial support up to 10% of total investment commitment

Provision for the development of qualified human resources:

• System to assist operators in the take-up of employment training opportunities and continuous training

• Training tailored to sector needs to insure the availabilityof 9,000 qualified staff

International exhibition of agriculture in Morocco (Salon International de l’Agriculture au Maroc) – SIAM

AMDI took part in the SIAM trade fair focussing on agricultural issues in Morocco, on this year’s theme of “Agriculture for solidarity”, which focussed on the second pillar of the “Green Morocco” plan, dealing with issues of support for and solidarity with the agricultural smallholdings and small scale farming..

Road Show in the Gulf Countries

AMDI, accompanied by a major delegation of leaders of industry, organised its second mission to the Gulf States, “Invest in Morocco Road Show 2011”, from May 28 to June 5.

The delegation was led by Mr. Fathallah Sijilmassi, Director General of AMDI, with a view to presenting detailed projects to

potential investors from target countries in the Gulf region, mainly the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.

UNCTAD

AMDI, through its Director General Mr. Fathallah Sijilmassi, represented Morocco at the Annual Investment Meeting, AIM 2011, jointly organised by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)

and the Government of the United Arab Emirates from May 10 to 12 2011 in Dubai.

The forum was an opportunity to present the new UNCTAD-ICC Investment guide to Morocco, as part of the “Morocco Showcase”.

Testimony:

Pasquale Pistorio ST.Microelectronics – Former President

«We were impressed by the skills and enthusiasm of the young Moroccan engineers and were delighted by the contribution they made to our range of technologies and innovative services, and at the role they play in growing high tech industry in Morocco.”

Sector news:

Under its strategy for investment promotion, AMDI took part in the 2nd edition of the Electronics and digital industry meeting (CIEN –Carrefour de l’Industrie Electronique et Numérique ) at Paris-Porte de Versailles May 24 to 26 2011.Morocco was a “guest country”.

Morocco is NASDAQ’s guest of honour in New York

A major delegation led by Mr. Salahedinne Mezouara, Minister of the Economy and Finance, and accompanied by leading members of the public and private sector of the Kingdom, including the Director General of AMDI, travelled to New York on May 26 with a view to raising the profile of Morocco, in terms of its economic potential and investment opportunities, as part of the free trade agreement between Morocco and the United States.

Media Campaign:

On May 9, AMDI launched a second media campaign across France and Spain with a view to improving the perception of Morocco and strengthening the Kingdom’s status as an economy of preference for investors in both countries respectively.

The campaign began on April 4 in Spain, and on May 2 in France, and was widely reported, in the general and trade press, and in television media.

AMDI also pursued its action plan by further targeting Germany and Italy, who are in the top 10 of global investors.

United States Road Show:

A Moroccan delegation under the presidency of the Minister of Industry, Trade and New Technologies, Mr. Ahmed Réda Chami, went to the United States, between 9 and 17 April, to present the investment opportunities and to meet high level business and government leaders, CEOs of the automotive and aeronautics sectors, investment decision makers, and associations of component manufacturers and members of the Arab American Chamber of Commerce.

AMDI is in charge of following up the investment projects identified on this occasion.

The 2nd Meeting on Industry, or “Assises de l’industrie”, held in Casablanca on May 5, was a wonderful opportunity to take stock of the achievements of the PNEI (National Pact for the Industrial Emergence), in the presence of the various stakeholders and international partners.

The industrial performance of 2010 was very satisfactory under the six headings of the pact, namely the 4 FDI-oriented growth driving forces in Morocco (offshoring, automotive, aeronautics and electronics), and the country’s more traditional ones (leather/textiles and agri-foods). Also satisfactory were the integrated industrial platforms (P2I), which turned in good performance in the fields of SME competitiveness, training and business climate.

Thanks to the mobilisation of the State and the private sector, Morocco successfully developed and brought to market a competitive offer, meeting the needs of investors. Morocco is well on the way to success in the various areas of business development, aiming at the emergence of a strong industry generating economic growth.

The 6 growth driving forces in Morocco have shown great performance in 2010 and exports have been in increase as well.

10 out of the 15 integrated industrial platforms (business development zones), have been delivered to the developers, adding up to 1,500 hectares out of the 2,000 scheduled under the program contract.

Particular interest has been devoted to the development of small and medium-sized enterprises (SME), through interrelated support programswhose purpose is to improve the SME’s productivity (Imtiaz, Moussanada and Inmaa) and the deployment of new initiatives such as the rating platforms and the SME observatory.

In the training field, numerous efforts have been deployed to support the development of the different Professions contributing to national industrial strategy. For this purpose a number of specialist institutes have been set up and training plans implemented.

Finally, with support and commitment from all actors, major reforms have been implemented to improve the business climate, ensuring good governance and the reinforcement of transparency. These initiatives are currently in their final stages, drawing increasing interest from investors all over the world.

Proinsur sets up in Tangier

The Spanish specialist in plastics injection Proinsur set up an industrial unit in the Free Zone of Tangiers, investing €2 million. Proinsur is a producer of lighting components for the automotive industry and plastic components for the health and electronics sectors.

Two Spanish companies to set up in Tangiers

Components manufacturer CIE Automotive and Hispamoldes, specialists in plastics injection, will be setting up a joint venture for two manufacturing units in the Free Zone of Tangiers to produce automotive components for the Renault factory. The first project plans investment of €1.1 billion for the manufacture of plastics components to start up in 2011 for fuel injection systems, creating 80 new jobs between now and 2012.

The second unit dedicated to the manufacture and maintenance of injection moulds will come on stream before the end of 2011.

Alstom and Nexans team up for rail industry production in Morocco

These two French groups are to set up a 50/50 joint venture in Morocco for the production of bundled railway transmission cables and low voltage electrical cubicles, which will contribute to fitting out the Casablanca tramway system, and the future high-speed train. Start up is planned in September 2011, and the new company will be making its initial deliveries early in 2012, employing nearly 400 people in 2015 and 650 in 2018. The business plan is to generate revenues of 314.5 million Dirhams in 2015 and 685 million Dirhams in 2018.

Cold chain carrier Akacia in Morocco

Akacia, the French specialist in cold chain logistics opened its first subsidiary in Morocco, to be equipped with a major fleet of refrigerated trucks meeting PIEK standards compliant to the environmental charter “CO2 target, freight industry commitment.”

Enisa plans coal processing plant in Morocco

ENISA-Energy Group from Turkey will be setting up a coal processing plant at Jorf Lasfar in Morocco to supply the whole of the Mediterranean basin.

ENISA-Energy intends to make Morocco an international hub for coal distribution.

Sonar Sierra starts business in Morocco

Portuguese group Sonae Sierra, a specialist in the development and management of shopping malls, is starting up a new business in Morocco. Having signed its first contract with Marjane et Foncière Chellah (CDG Group). Sonae Sierra plans to build and develop a 130 store shopping mall covering a floor area of 40,700 m² between now and 2013.

Hotel Marina de Casablanca under Oberoi management

A memorandum of understanding was signed between the New Marina Casablanca Company owned by the CDG Group and the Oberoi Hotels & Resorts group, under which the future 5 star luxury Casablanca Marina hotel will be managed by Oberoi under the “Oberoi Casablanca” name. The new luxury hotel covers 13,757 m² offering 150 rooms on 3 floors.

Gujarat Fluorochemicals starts up mining projectin Taourirt

Indian company Gujarat Fluorochemicals Limited is to start up a mining project in Taourirt, in the North-East of Morocco, planned output being 40,000 tonnes of fluoric acid annually. Start-up is planned for September for an investment of $8 million to ensure the construction of an extraction and transformation unit, creating nearly 150 direct new jobs.

Theolia announces major wind farm projectin Morocco

French-based Theolia and the National Office of Moroccan Electricity signed a protocol of agreement for the development and joint construction of a 300 MW wind farm in Tetouan, scheduled for June 2012. Total outlay on the project is €6.6 billion.

Ratification of the Convention between the Kingdom of Morocco and Ireland tending to the avoidance of dual taxation and the prohibition of income tax evasion (Dahir No.1-11-08 of February 18, 2011, promulgation of Law No. 31-10).

Creation of the “Tangier Automotive City” Export Free Zone in Tangier, covering 178 hectares dedicated to businesses and services in the automotive field, and to developing the potential for other activities (agri-foods, textiles and leather, metallurgical industry, mechanical, electrical, and electronic engineering, chemical and parachemical industry) (Decree No. 2-10-337 of April 20, 2011).

NEW REGULATIONS ON INVESTMENT AND INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS

BUSINESS ENVIRONMENTMEETING ON INDUSTRY

MEETING ON INDUSTRY

National Commission for Business Environment – General review 2010

The National Commission for Business Environment (CNEA) under the presidency of the Prime Minister, is playing an active role in the design and implementation of the reforms contributing to business climate improvement in Morocco.

To further establish its legitimacy and sustainability, the Committee, brought into being as a special purpose partnership between the public and private sectors, was given, in October 2010, an institutional status by decree.

On May 19, 2011, the Prime Minister, Mr. Abbas El Fassi chaired a meeting on both the 2010 general review and the presentation of the Committee’s new agenda. This official gathering was composed of private sector representatives as well as ministerial departments’ members.

In 2010, CNEA has initiated strategic projects resulting in major reforms answeringthe needs and concerns of economic operators.

Among these, the following are worthy of mention:

Simplification on the law on Limited Liability Companies by waiving the requirement for minimum capital and the procedure for capital deposit in a protected account prior to online company start-ups ;

Introduction of single Enterprise Identification Number for smoother and more consistent processing of enterprise related data by public sector administrations ;

Reform of Commercial Tribunals, whose goal is easing access to information and protecting investors ;

A draft decree on public procurement and encouraging recourse to arbitration procedures.

Active involvement in the set-up of the Central Body for Combating Corruption and its www.stopcorruption.ma portal.

Furthermore, the CNEA will in 2011 take into consideration top priority requests from economic operators, in the light of their needs, and the recommendations of world reports on the business climate, to turn its detailed attention to new strategic issues. Among these are acquisition of development land and a more regionally-oriented approach to the implementation of business climate improvement, and the simplification of start-up procedures for joint stock companies (sociétés anonymes), the tax aspects of changes in landed property ownership, the reform of competition law, the reform of the SME charter, and the reform of procedures governing transactions in the equity of listed companies.

AgendaSeptember 19 to 21

Aeromart in Casablanca

November 15

Investment Conference in London

www.invest.gov.ma

Moroccan Investment Develoment Agency

NewsletterN°3

June 2011