Moroccan PM Calls for Speeding National E-Integration

Morocco’s Prime Minister Saadeddine Othmani (Arabic website)
Morocco’s Prime Minister Saadeddine Othmani (Arabic website)
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Moroccan PM Calls for Speeding National E-Integration

Morocco’s Prime Minister Saadeddine Othmani (Arabic website)
Morocco’s Prime Minister Saadeddine Othmani (Arabic website)

Morocco’s Prime Minister Saadeddine Othmani called for establishing a national e-strategy which promotes the integration of digital technology for the African country to catch up with world countries, after its rank slid in the latest United Nations e-government survey.

In the UN E-Government Survey 2018, Morocco ranked the 110th out of 193 countries vetted worldwide. Before, Morocco ranked 85th.

It is also worth noting that Morocco’s ranking places it sixth among African countries.

The survey aims to promote E-Systems for governing member states of the UN, whereby world governments are asked to develop online platforms that better present public services and provide information concerning certain sectors.

It also measures e-participation and focuses on the use of online services to provide and facilitate citizen access to public information and services, interaction with stakeholders, and participation in the national decision-making processes.

“Morocco is betting on digital transformation in order to create a qualitative leap in economic and social development,” Othmani said.

“We need a combined vision to translate the digital transformation envisaged in our country and ensure maximum use of digital technologies.”

The prime minister went on explaining that aim of his vision for digital transformation is to “create new patterns that provide the comfort of the intruders in their relationship to public administration, nurture a positive atmosphere that increases competitiveness among Moroccan enterprises, especially in the digital market, and facilitate the actualization of Morocco's ambition for African economic integration.”

Othmani cited progress achieved by Morocco’s state institutions on developing online services pertaining to tax return statements for large and medium companies, some licenses such as construction permits, and customs import and export operations.



Saudi Industry Ministry: Record 144% Surge in New Mining Exploitation Licenses in H1 2025 

Miners works in the Al Amar gold mine, 200km (124 miles) southwest of Riyadh, May 28, 2008. (Reuters)
Miners works in the Al Amar gold mine, 200km (124 miles) southwest of Riyadh, May 28, 2008. (Reuters)
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Saudi Industry Ministry: Record 144% Surge in New Mining Exploitation Licenses in H1 2025 

Miners works in the Al Amar gold mine, 200km (124 miles) southwest of Riyadh, May 28, 2008. (Reuters)
Miners works in the Al Amar gold mine, 200km (124 miles) southwest of Riyadh, May 28, 2008. (Reuters)

The Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources announced on Thursday a significant rise in new mining exploitation licenses during the first half of 2025, marking a 144% increase compared to the same period in 2024.

A total of 22 licenses were issued - up from just nine in the previous year - reflecting growing investor interest and the ministry's efforts to create a more attractive and competitive mining environment.

The jump is also aligned with the rapid development of the Saudi mining sector, which is undergoing as part of the country's broader push for economic diversification.

According to the ministry's spokesperson, Jarrah bin Mohammed Al-Jarrah, 23 companies were granted exploitation licenses during this period, 16 of them receiving a mining license for the very first time. Combined, these projects represent investments exceeding SAR134 million and cover an area of 47 square kilometers.

Annual production capacity from the newly licensed operations is estimated at 7.86 million tons of various mineral resources, including salt, clay, silica sand, low-grade iron ore, feldspar, and gypsum.

Currently, the Kingdom holds a total of 239 active mining exploitation and small-mine licenses. Of these, 32 fall under Category A, covering high-value minerals such as gold, copper, phosphate, and bauxite, while the remaining 207 are Category B licenses for a range of other minerals, including silica sand, gypsum, limestone, salt, and clay.

The ministry underlined its commitment to advancing the mining sector as a central pillar of Saudi Vision 2030.

With mineral wealth in the Kingdom estimated at over SAR9.4 trillion, the sector is being positioned as the third key industrial pillar, supporting national efforts to diversify sources of income and drive sustainable economic growth.