Morocco Higher Planning Commission Predicts Improvement in Economic Growth

A worker picks strawberries, to be exported, in a field in Moulay Bousselham in Kenitra province, March 15, 2014. (Reuters)
A worker picks strawberries, to be exported, in a field in Moulay Bousselham in Kenitra province, March 15, 2014. (Reuters)
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Morocco Higher Planning Commission Predicts Improvement in Economic Growth

A worker picks strawberries, to be exported, in a field in Moulay Bousselham in Kenitra province, March 15, 2014. (Reuters)
A worker picks strawberries, to be exported, in a field in Moulay Bousselham in Kenitra province, March 15, 2014. (Reuters)

Morocco's economic growth is expected to rise slightly in Q4 of 2019 to 2.6 percent, after falling to 2.4 percent in Q3 due to the contraction of global trade and slowed growth of non-agricultural activities, according to the country’s Higher Planning Commission.

In a memorandum Tuesday, the Commission expected Morocco's exports to improve, despite the difficult conditions resulting from the contraction of global trade.

Regarding automobile exports, the Commission expected that the sector will continue to decline, especially fully assembled vehicles, due to the drop in global demand for cars, most notably in the European and Chinese markets.

The export of parts and electrical components of cars manufactured in Morocco is linked to demand in the European market, it added.

Moroccan phosphate fertilizer exports will see modest growth during Q4 of 2019. The Commission pointed out that this period is expected to witness strong pressure on fertilizer prices following the increased demand on Asian fertilizer and declining global demand due to lower prices of agricultural products.

The Commission also noted that the dynamics of Moroccan exports of fertilizers will be affected by lower US and Indian imports, but will benefit from improved South American demand.

According to the Commission, the mining and manufacturing sectors will grow by 3 percent and the tourism sector by 2.3 percent.

Overall, the Commission forecasts that the agricultural sector will continue its contraction for the fourth consecutive quarter, and will stand at 2.6 instead of 2.8 percent compared to the same period last year.



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.