Morocco Internal Debt Exceeds $60 Billion

A currency dealer counts Moroccan dirhams in a photo illustration at a currency exchange in Casablanca, Morocco, June 29, 2017. (Reuters)
A currency dealer counts Moroccan dirhams in a photo illustration at a currency exchange in Casablanca, Morocco, June 29, 2017. (Reuters)
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Morocco Internal Debt Exceeds $60 Billion

A currency dealer counts Moroccan dirhams in a photo illustration at a currency exchange in Casablanca, Morocco, June 29, 2017. (Reuters)
A currency dealer counts Moroccan dirhams in a photo illustration at a currency exchange in Casablanca, Morocco, June 29, 2017. (Reuters)

Morocco’s government internal debt reached MAD571.1 billion (USD60.1 billion) at the end of November, witnessing an increase by 4.1 percent since the beginning of the year.

The internal debt now makes up 50.1 percent of the GDP.

According to the Public Treasury's report, this hike resulted from the government’s obtaining of new loans worth MAD107 billion (USD11.3 billion) and paying debts of MAD84.5 billion (USD8.4 billion) during this period.

This resulted in a balance of MAD22.5 billion (USD2.4 billion).

Based on the due date, Morocco’s internal debt represents 88.4 percent of debts payable in more than five years compared to 85 percent of debts that fall under the same category, last year.

Further, debts payable in 15 years rose to around 40 percent by the end of November compared to 35.9 percent in the beginning of the year.

During this period, the government proceeded with managing the internal debt through replacing short- and medium-term loans with medium- and long-term ones.

In this context, the government withdrew loans worth MAD34 billion (USD6.53 billion) through issuing bonds of terms ranging between 5-30 years to pay their equivalent of loans payable in less than five years.



Spain Gives Green Light for Saudi STC to Raise Stake in Telefonica to 9.97%

STC said it aimed to build up an interest of 9.9% in the Spanish telecoms company worth around 2.4 billion euros ($2.53 billion) and become a major shareholder - File Photo
STC said it aimed to build up an interest of 9.9% in the Spanish telecoms company worth around 2.4 billion euros ($2.53 billion) and become a major shareholder - File Photo
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Spain Gives Green Light for Saudi STC to Raise Stake in Telefonica to 9.97%

STC said it aimed to build up an interest of 9.9% in the Spanish telecoms company worth around 2.4 billion euros ($2.53 billion) and become a major shareholder - File Photo
STC said it aimed to build up an interest of 9.9% in the Spanish telecoms company worth around 2.4 billion euros ($2.53 billion) and become a major shareholder - File Photo

The Spanish government has given the green light to Saudi Arabia's largest telecoms operator, STC Group, to raise its stake in Telefonica beyond 5% and reach 9.97%, Economy Minister Carlos Cuerpo said on Thursday.

Cuerpo confirmed an earlier report by El Pais newspaper during a news conference following the cabinet's weekly meeting in which the stake increase was approved, Reuters reported.

"Measures and conditions have been set and accepted voluntarily by the Saudi company to ensure that (the operation) takes place," Cuerpo told reporters.

He said the government's decision followed an "exhaustive analysis based not only on compliance with current legislation but also to guarantee the national interest in defense and ensure the strategic element in telecommunications".

Last year, STC said it aimed to build up an interest of 9.9% in the Spanish telecoms company worth around 2.4 billion euros ($2.53 billion) and become a major shareholder.

The Saudi group said at the time it owned a 4.9% stake in Telefonica and financial instruments giving it another 5% in what it called economic exposure to the company.

The Spanish government had to authorize the deal as Telefonica is considered a defence service provider and therefore a strategic company.

The Saudi company has said it does not intend to gain control of or a majority stake in Telefonica.