Morocco: 6.3 Mln E-Commerce Transactions in Q1 2022

During the first quarter, Morocco recorded a total of 6.3 million payments by bank cards (Reuters)
During the first quarter, Morocco recorded a total of 6.3 million payments by bank cards (Reuters)
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Morocco: 6.3 Mln E-Commerce Transactions in Q1 2022

During the first quarter, Morocco recorded a total of 6.3 million payments by bank cards (Reuters)
During the first quarter, Morocco recorded a total of 6.3 million payments by bank cards (Reuters)

E-commerce websites and billers' websites affiliated to the Interbank Electronic Banking Center (CMI) have carried out 6.3 million online payment transactions via Moroccan and foreign bank cards, for a total amount of 2.3 billion dirhams ($230 million) during the first quarter of 2022.

The e-commerce activity is up 34.4 percent in number and 19.3 percent in amount compared to the same period of 2021, says the CMI in its latest report on the Moroccan electronic money activity.

The online payment activity of Moroccan cards showed an increase of 34.9 percent in the number of transactions to 5.9 million in the first quarter of 2022, and 15.1 percent in the amount to 2 billion dirhams ($200 million) in Q1-2022, the same source adds.

Regarding the activity of online payments of foreign cards, it has increased by 25.8 percent in number of transactions, to 388,000 transactions and by 63.3 percent in amount, to 272.4 million dirhams, says the CMI.

It noted that the activity is still very strongly dominated by Moroccan cards to the tune of 93.8 percent in number of transactions and 88.2 percent in amount.

The report also shows that merchants and e-merchants affiliated to CMI recorded 30.9 million payment transactions, by Moroccan and foreign bank cards, for a total amount of 12.1 billion dirhams, up 27.5 percent in number of transactions and 22.1 percent in amount.

By sector of activity, payments by Moroccan and foreign bank cards (in terms of volume) were made in the retail sector (22.7 percent), followed by the clothing sector (9.5 percent), gas stations (8.6 percent), restaurants (8.1 percent), hotels (7.2 percent), health (5.5 percent), furniture & electronics (4.8 percent) and other sectors (33.6 percent).



Saudi Tourism Ministry Intensifies Inspection Efforts in Summer Tourist Destinations

Saudi Tourism Ministry Intensifies Inspection Efforts in Summer Tourist Destinations
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Saudi Tourism Ministry Intensifies Inspection Efforts in Summer Tourist Destinations

Saudi Tourism Ministry Intensifies Inspection Efforts in Summer Tourist Destinations

The Saudi Ministry of Tourism has intensified its inspection efforts across several summer tourist destinations in the Kingdom, reported the Saudi Press Agency on Saturday.

These inspections aim to ensure that hospitality facilities hold the necessary licenses from the ministry and comply with approved quality standards, coinciding with the launch of the Saudi Summer season.

The inspection tours covered multiple regions and cities, including Aseer, Al-Baha, Taif, and Jeddah, over the past two months.

The ministry's inspection teams conducted more than 2,800 visits to summer destinations. The visits assessed the quality of services provided, the availability of safety requirements, and cleanliness levels, while also confirming that facilities had obtained the necessary licenses to operate.

The ministry emphasized to all hospitality establishments, including private facilities, the importance of delivering high-quality services and adhering to its approved regulations. It stressed that violators will face penalties, which may include fines of up to SAR1 million, closure of the facility, or both.