Morocco: Government Backs 28 Projects Worth $2.4 Bn

Meeting of Morocco's Investment Commission (Asharq al-Awsat)
Meeting of Morocco's Investment Commission (Asharq al-Awsat)
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Morocco: Government Backs 28 Projects Worth $2.4 Bn

Meeting of Morocco's Investment Commission (Asharq al-Awsat)
Meeting of Morocco's Investment Commission (Asharq al-Awsat)

Morocco's Investment Commission, under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Saadeddine Othmani, approved Wednesday 28 new investment projects worth $2.4 billion in various sectors.

The committee studies projects worth over $21 million and approves their governmental support either directly or through the Hassan II Development Fund. It also approves the privatization of public facilities for the private investment projects.

Speaking on the sidelines of the Committee's meeting, Othmani explained that the projects presented were diverse and tackle various vital sectors, such as industry, tourism, leisure, health, transport and infrastructure.

He stressed that the meeting comes within the context of the government's keenness to continue to implement a number of structural reforms aimed at stimulating and supporting investment and enhancing the confidence of private investors in the business climate in Morocco.

The PM indicated that the government is also working on a number of legislative reforms aimed at modernizing the legal aspects of business, improving Morocco's image as a preferred destination for investors.

The government also aims to improve Morocco's ranking in the World Bank's annual "Doing Business" report, which will put Morocco among the top fifty economies in the world.

In this context, the Prime Minister noted that the government prepared a draft law relating to movable collateral, with the aim of facilitating contracting to various funding sources available through the provision of movable collateral.

The draft also wants to improve the competitive conditions of contracting through securing financing for investments and consolidating the principles and rules of transparency in transactions relating to movable collateral.

In addition, Othmani informed the press that two bills on changing and completing the law relating to incorporated companies, as well as the law pertaining to partnership, limited partnership, partnership in commendam, and limited liability companies.

This will help enhance the protection of small investors and establish the principle of transparency and good governance as well as national legal arsenal with international standards.



Gold Jumps, on Track for Best Week in Over a Year on Safe-haven Demand

FILE PHOTO: Gold bullions are displayed at GoldSilver Central's office in Singapore June 19, 2017. REUTERS/Edgar Su/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Gold bullions are displayed at GoldSilver Central's office in Singapore June 19, 2017. REUTERS/Edgar Su/File Photo
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Gold Jumps, on Track for Best Week in Over a Year on Safe-haven Demand

FILE PHOTO: Gold bullions are displayed at GoldSilver Central's office in Singapore June 19, 2017. REUTERS/Edgar Su/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Gold bullions are displayed at GoldSilver Central's office in Singapore June 19, 2017. REUTERS/Edgar Su/File Photo

Gold prices rose over 1% to hit a two-week peak on Friday, heading for the best weekly performance in more than a year, buoyed by safe-haven demand as Russia-Ukraine tensions intensified.

Spot gold jumped 1.3% to $2,703.05 per ounce as of 1245 GMT, hitting its highest since Nov. 8. US gold futures gained 1.1% to $2,705.30.

Bullion rose despite the US dollar hitting a 13-month high, while bitcoin hit a record peak and neared the $100,000 level.

"With both gold and USD (US dollar) rising, it seems that safe-haven demand is lifting both assets," said UBS analyst Giovanni Staunovo.

Ukraine's military said its drones struck four oil refineries, radar stations and other military installations in Russia, Reuters reported.

Gold has gained over 5% so far this week, its best weekly performance since October 2023. Prices have gained around $173 after slipping to a two-month low last week.

"We understand that the price setback has been used by 'Western world' investors under-allocated to gold to build exposure considering the geopolitical risks that are still around. So we continue to expect gold to rise further over the coming months," Staunovo said.

Bullion tends to shine during geopolitical tensions, economic risks, and a low interest rate environment. Markets are pricing in a 59.4% chance of a 25-basis-points cut at the Fed's December meeting, per the CME Fedwatch tool.

However, "if Fed skips or pauses its rate cut in December, that will be negative for gold prices and we could see some pullback," said Soni Kumari, a commodity strategist at ANZ.

The Chicago Federal Reserve president reiterated his support for further US interest rate cuts on Thursday.

On Friday, spot silver rose 1.8% to $31.34 per ounce, platinum eased 0.1% to $960.13 and palladium fell 0.6% to $1,023.55. All three metals were on track for a weekly rise.