Morocco's Economy Grows by 2.3%

The Moroccan flag is seen in front of a destroyed building following the devastating earthquake in Marrakesh last month. (Reuters)
The Moroccan flag is seen in front of a destroyed building following the devastating earthquake in Marrakesh last month. (Reuters)
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Morocco's Economy Grows by 2.3%

The Moroccan flag is seen in front of a destroyed building following the devastating earthquake in Marrakesh last month. (Reuters)
The Moroccan flag is seen in front of a destroyed building following the devastating earthquake in Marrakesh last month. (Reuters)

Morocco's national economy grew by 2.3 percent in the second quarter of 2023, compared with 2.2 percent in the same quarter of 2022.

Driven by external demand, this growth was achieved against a backdrop of high inflation and an improvement in the national economy's financing capacity.

According to the Higher Planning Commission (HCP), the country's leading statistics institution, non-agricultural activities recorded a 2.1 percent volume increase, compared to a rise in agricultural activities by 6.3 percent.

Meanwhile, the added value of the primary sector increased in terms of volume, recording an increase of 6 percent during the second quarter of 2023.

It was due to an increase in agricultural sector activities by 6.3 percent, paired with a slower 0.5 percent growth in fishing.

Furthermore, the added value of the secondary sector recorded a 2.8 percent drop compared to 1 percent during the second quarter of last year.

The decrease is due to a decline in the added values of each extraction industry by 9.4 percent compared to a 7.5 percent decrease.

Public works and construction increased by 2.8 percent instead of a 1.8 percent decrease. Manufacturing industries saw a 2.1 percent rise compared to a 1.8 percent increase.

Electricity and water activities increased by 1.4 percent compared to a 1.5 decrease during the same period.

At the same time, the added value in the tertiary sector slowed to 4.4 percent, marked by a rise in real estate services and a slowdown in accommodation and catering.

Services such as the transport and warehousing sectors slowed by 5.3 percent, while education, health, and social services dropped by 5.1 percent.

General public administration and social security services also fell by 4.8 percent.

Other services experienced a slowdown, including research and development and business services, information and communication, financial services and insurance, and trade and repair of vehicles.

In the first quarter of 2023, the Moroccan economy recorded a rise of 3.5 percent.



Saudi Arabia Sees Lithium Investment Options in Chile

Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Alkhorayaf speaks during an interview with Reuters, in Santiago, Chile, July 29, 2024. REUTERS/Pablo Sanhueza Purchase Licensing Rights
Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Alkhorayaf speaks during an interview with Reuters, in Santiago, Chile, July 29, 2024. REUTERS/Pablo Sanhueza Purchase Licensing Rights
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Saudi Arabia Sees Lithium Investment Options in Chile

Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Alkhorayaf speaks during an interview with Reuters, in Santiago, Chile, July 29, 2024. REUTERS/Pablo Sanhueza Purchase Licensing Rights
Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Alkhorayaf speaks during an interview with Reuters, in Santiago, Chile, July 29, 2024. REUTERS/Pablo Sanhueza Purchase Licensing Rights

Saudi Arabia's Manara Minerals is looking at opportunities to invest in lithium production in Chile, mining minister Bandar Alkhorayaf said on Monday during a visit to the South American country.

Manara, a joint venture between state-owned miner Ma'aden and the Public Investment Fund (PIF), is "analyzing the different options," Alkhorayaf said in an interview, Reuters reported.

Alkhorayaf, the Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources, said Manara had interest in Chile, the world's second-largest producer of the battery metal.

"I think we can see something happening with Manara on the Chilean assets here. It makes a lot of sense," he said, adding that he saw "great commitment" from the Chilean government to help secure investment.

He noted that he was not aware of specific discussions underway. Chile's state-run miner Codelco is currently seeking a partner for a major lithium project in the Maricunga salt flat, and the government recently opened a number of other lithium deposits to private investment.

Alkhorayaf as well as Manara CEO Pierre Chenard participated in meetings on Monday with Chile's mining ministry in which Codelco participated.

Alkhorayaf added that Saudi Arabia is interested in quickly securing supply of lithium, including from Chile, as it aims to produce EV batteries domestically.

"We have a leadership that's very ambitious," he said. "We are serious to source it now ... as soon as possible."

In a meeting with his Chilean counterpart Aurora Williams, the two discussed the minerals supply chain, water supply issues and lithium, according to Chile's mining ministry. Alkhorayaf also proposed setting up a group between both governments to explore possible collaboration, the ministry said in a statement.