Morocco's PM: Banks Play a Pivotal Role in Employment, Development

Saad Eddine El-Othmani addresses the United Nations General Assembly in New York (File Photo: Reuters)
Saad Eddine El-Othmani addresses the United Nations General Assembly in New York (File Photo: Reuters)
TT

Morocco's PM: Banks Play a Pivotal Role in Employment, Development

Saad Eddine El-Othmani addresses the United Nations General Assembly in New York (File Photo: Reuters)
Saad Eddine El-Othmani addresses the United Nations General Assembly in New York (File Photo: Reuters)

Moroccan Prime Minister Saad Eddine El-Othmani said his government is moving to develop new, high-value-added sectors to help the economy and prepare for global economic transformations.

Speaking at a monthly inquiry session at the parliament on the pivotal role of the banking and financial sector in development and employment, Othmani said the government worked to support the economy by diversifying its economic partners and opening to new markets, namely investment in Africa.

The Prime Minister pledged to continue reforming the banking sector, in order to contribute to development and employment, as well as financing SMEs that are facing difficulties.

He announced the launch of the “national platform to support entrepreneurship and stressed the need to involve banking institutions in Morocco’s dynamic development.

Othmani pointed to some measures taken to support SMEs, such as training and developing human resources.

The Prime Minister touched on the institutional framework that stimulates entrepreneurship and strengthens creativity. He indicated that the government executed several reforms that helped Morocco advance on the “ease of doing business” index from rank 75 in 2016 to 53.

He also pointed to the launch of the process of returning VAT arrears, estimated at $4 billion in a move that the PM described as “bold and unprecedented” in favor of contractors and public institutions.



Gold Extends Slide to 1-week Low on Curbed Safety Demand, Stronger Dollar

A view shows an ingot of 99.99 percent pure gold in a workroom during production at Krastsvetmet precious metals plant in the Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk, Russia, May 23, 2024. REUTERS/Alexander Manzyuk/File Photo
A view shows an ingot of 99.99 percent pure gold in a workroom during production at Krastsvetmet precious metals plant in the Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk, Russia, May 23, 2024. REUTERS/Alexander Manzyuk/File Photo
TT

Gold Extends Slide to 1-week Low on Curbed Safety Demand, Stronger Dollar

A view shows an ingot of 99.99 percent pure gold in a workroom during production at Krastsvetmet precious metals plant in the Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk, Russia, May 23, 2024. REUTERS/Alexander Manzyuk/File Photo
A view shows an ingot of 99.99 percent pure gold in a workroom during production at Krastsvetmet precious metals plant in the Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk, Russia, May 23, 2024. REUTERS/Alexander Manzyuk/File Photo

Gold prices extended declines on Tuesday, hitting a more than one-week low, pressured by a jump in US dollar and easing safe-haven demand after reports of a possible Lebanon-Israel ceasefire.

Spot gold was down 0.4% at $2,614.56 per ounce as of 0845 GMT, after hitting its lowest since Nov. 18 earlier in the session. US gold futures edged 0.1% lower to $2,614.80, Reuters reported.

The precious metal fell 3.2% on Monday, its deepest one-day decline in more than five months, on news that Israel looked set to approve a US plan for a ceasefire with the Iran-backed Hezbollah, with further pressure from Trump's nomination of Scott Bessent as the US Treasury secretary.

Meanwhile, the Kremlin said it had noted that Trump's circle was speaking about a potential peace plan for Ukraine.

"This has reduced the geopolitical risk premium, leading to a decline in gold prices," said Soni Kumari, a commodity strategist at ANZ, adding that a stronger US dollar is also weighing on investor appetite for gold. The dollar was up by 0.3%, after US President-elect Donald Trump vowed tariffs against Mexico, Canada and China, reducing gold's appeal for holders of other currencies.

"So now the focus will shift back to, what Fed is going to do in December meeting," Kumari said. Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis President Neel Kashkari, typically on the hawkish end of the US central bank's policy spectrum, said he is open to cutting rates again next month.

Traders will also keep a close eye on US consumer confidence data and the minutes from the Fed's November meeting later in the day.

"I expect gold to trade in a narrow range in the short term, with a slight upward drift," Matt Simpson, a senior analyst at City Index said.

Spot silver slipped by 0.1% to $2,614.80 per ounce, platinum shed 1.1% to $928.40 and palladium was down 0.2% to $971.10.