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The Moroccan Economy in Brief: Monday, January 14, 2019

Givaudan opens a new technical centre in Casablanca:
Givaudan, the world leader in the fragrance and flavour industry, has a new technical and commercial centre for the Flavour Division in Casablanca. The structure, which has just been inaugurated, required an investment of approximately 11.5 million dirhams (1.2 million Swiss francs). This investment "is part of the company's 2020 strategy to invest in high-growth markets and demonstrates its continued commitment to the Maghreb and West African regions," says Givaudan, adding that this centre will "meet the evolving needs of our customers in the food and beverage sector offering innovative flavour and taste solutions.


Cafrad launches the Certificate of Aptitude in African and International Business Administration:
The African Centre for Training and Administrative Research and Development (CAFRAD) has announced the launch of a training offer presented as unique and first of its kind on the African continent, aimed at senior managers and leaders of public and private administrations in Africa and the world. Under the banner of the Pan-African Academy for Interregional Cooperation (APACI), these courses, launched in partnership with BJ International Consulting, lead to a certification called "Certificate of Aptitude in African and International Business Administration" (C4AI).


Inflation falls to 1.9% in November 2018:
Annual inflation in the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) area slowed to 2.7% last November from 3.1% a month earlier. This decline is mainly due to the slowdown in energy prices to 6.8% from 10.4% in October 2018, the OECD explains in a release. Food price inflation also decelerated to 1.9% in November from 2.1% a month earlier. Excluding food and energy, annual inflation in the OECD area fell slightly to 2.2% in November from 2.3% in October.


ANAM denies the application of a 480 dirhams fee for each Ramed beneficiary:
The National Health Insurance Agency (ANAM) denied the "false allegations" about the application of a fee of 480 dirhams for each beneficiary of the Medical Assistance Scheme (Ramed), claiming that the current procedure has not been changed since the scheme was launched in 2008. The procedure has not changed since the beginning of a pilot experiment in the Tadla-Azilal region in 2008 and after the generalization of the regime in 2012, ANAM assured ANAM in a statement reached MAP on Friday.


Investments in startups are clearly increasing:
This report, which provides an in-depth analysis of financing in the MENA region, shows strong growth (+31%) compared to 2017, with a record number of transactions and an increase in the total funding allocated to start-ups based in the region. In 2018, no fewer than 366 investments were made, with total funding of $893 million, representing a 31% increase in investment over 2017, during which time $679 million was invested.