Morocco: Budget's Deficit Reaches 6.9% in June

Morocco: Budget's Deficit Reaches 6.9% in June
TT
20

Morocco: Budget's Deficit Reaches 6.9% in June

Morocco: Budget's Deficit Reaches 6.9% in June

Morocco’s budget deficit rose to MAD21.8 billion (USD2.3 billion) in the first six months of 2019, increasing from 6.7 percent compared to last year, due to the decline of resources of the treasury 9.7 percent, the rise of costs 10.9 percent, the increase of government investments and the positive credit of MAD8 billion (USD832 million).

Treasury resources collected MAD3.35 (USD353 million) of selling stakes of Morocco telecommunication to institutional investors during this period. Despite this, fiscal resources declined 57 percent because new Gulf donations were not allocated.

Notably, the support agreement signed between Morocco and the GCC was completed last year and not renewed.

The Moroccan treasury report revealed that the shortage of the government budget funding during the first half of the year reached MAD28.1 billion (USD3 billion) and about MAD22.3 billion (USD2.35) was funded through internal borrowing and 20.6 percent through foreign funding.

In this context, the report clarified that the government has paid off during this period installments worth MAD4.2 billion (USD442 million). It has also withdrawn new funding worth MAD10 billion (USD1.05 billion) and MAD7.6 billion (USD800 million) out of them is from the World Bank.

This has resulted from foreign funding reaching MAD5.8 billion (USD610.50 million) and contributing to backing the budget's deficit.



Saudi Mining Licenses Reach 2,401 by End of 2024

Saudi Mining Licenses Reach 2,401 by End of 2024
TT
20

Saudi Mining Licenses Reach 2,401 by End of 2024

Saudi Mining Licenses Reach 2,401 by End of 2024

The Saudi Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources announced on Sunday that the number of valid mining licenses in the Kingdom has reached 2,401 by the end of 2024.

The licenses cover various categories, including mining, exploration, reconnaissance, building materials quarries, and small mine operations.

According to the 2024 Mining Sector Indicators Bulletin, issued by the National Industrial and Mining Information Center, the majority of these licenses were granted for building materials quarries (1,481), followed by exploration (642), mining and small mining exploitation (215), reconnaissance (41), and surplus mineral ore extraction (22).

The bulletin serves as a critical tool for monitoring developments in the mining sector, tracking both existing and newly issued licenses across various regions of the Kingdom. By boosting transparency and providing accurate data, the initiative supports investors and decision-makers in making informed choices that contribute to the sector’s growth and sustainability.