Archive for October, 2011

London – Morocco, who presented an autonomy plan to settle the Sahara issue under its sovereignty, confirmed in its position following the recent developments in the North Africa region, said the think-tank the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU).

Morocco has reinforced its position, offering an autonomy and decentralization plan to the Sahara, the EIU said in its October report on Morocco. (more…)

Rabat, October 31, 2011 – Morocco and the United States signed here on Monday a declaration of intent for the setting up of “Morocco Atlantic Bridge” initiative.

The initiative aims to strengthen bilateral trade relations and partnership, and better use of the free trade agreement in force between the two countries.

Signed by Moroccan Foreign Trade Minister Abdellatif Mazouz and U.S. Ambassador to Rabat Samuel Kaplan, this declaration is part of the implementation of the Moroccan strategy for development and export promotion “Maroc export plus,” and the U.S. national export initiative “National export initiative.” (more…)

Moroccan authorities expelled a Member of the European parliament Sunday from the airport of Laayoune, the capital of Western Sahara, because of his positions in favour of the Polisario Front.

• Moroccan authorities expelled a Member of the European parliament Sunday from the airport of Laayoune, the capital of Western Sahara, because of his positions in favour of the Polisario Front.
• This is Spanish MEP Willy Meyer who is also vice-president of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the European Parliament. The latter has been denied access to the airport for his positions in favour of the Polisario Front. Mr. Meyer was forced to return back to Spain on the same plane.

Karin Kloosterman

The free EneR event is a networking and investment platform for those interested in Morocco¹s renewable energy markets happening later this month in Casablanca.

Morocco is wild, yet for the average business or tourist traveler tame and safe. You can walk out of your riad in Marakesh and get lost in another time. Meander around the market in Fez and feel forever connected to Arabian Nights, or wind around the modern city of Casablanca for good food and pleasant chats with locals. You won¹t find Clarke Gable in Morocco, but business investors interested in new financing opportunities might be advised to head to the EneR event in Casablanca later this month, November 22 to 26.

The EneR event has already signed up nearly 200 exhibitors, and is expecting 4,000 visitors interested in financing projects and developing renewable energy business in Morocco. Want to create a sustainable future for the North Africa region? Consider investing in Morocco.

Here¹s why I think Morocco is a good bet:

Unlike Syria, or Egypt, Morocco has been stable politically during the Arab Spring uprisings. Its airports, like the one in Marrakesh boast solar panels, and its resort owners, locally and international ones like those from the Kasbah du Toubkalare developing sustainable eco-tourism. Out of all the Arabian-Middle Eastern countries I have visited, Morocco felt the closest to the west ­­ and it could be because of the proximity to Spain a short plane ride away and the French and Swiss influence which is strong. Compared to Europe, its renewable energy goals are startling: Morocco aims to be 42 percent fueled by solar energy by 2020 with a $9 billion USD investment.

Who¹s investing in Morocco?

The Swiss Firm Airlight Brings CSP to Morocco

Bloomberg is reporting that the Sahara solar initiative backed by the German turbine maker Siemens AG and Deutsche Bank AG will sketch out plans in 2012 for its first power plant, a 600 million-euro ($800 million) station in Morocco.
Morocco¹s link in the proposed Medgrid renewable energy
projectMorocco¹s key role in the Desertec initiative (Dii)

More on EneR

The EneR event will be a place to network among this massive investment opportunity in the Moroccan and African energy economies. Among stakeholders to meet and network with is FENELEC ­ the Moroccan Federation of Electricity, Electronics and Renewable Energies ­ and organizer of the conference. The organization represents more than 300 renewable energy companies in Morocco.

Morocco is moving fast towards the clean energy mix as the Moroccan government aims to produce a considerable amount of the country¹s energy from renewable sources. By 2015, more than 2000 megawatts of power from solar energy alone shall be generated through various projects in Morocco.

by LEENA RAO Oct 29, 2011 3:01AM

To celebrate the fifty years of the Peace Corps’s work in 139 countries, journalist and former Peace Corps volunteer Maureen Orth has created an online platform, called PeaceCorpsPostcards, for former volunteers to contribute their own stories, pictures and “Video postcards.”

In case you aren’t familiar, The Peace Corps is a volunteer program run by the United States Government. Post-college grads work abroad for two years; volunteering in building schools, infrastructure development, government, agriculture and more.

(more…)

Press Release Source: Great Quest Metals Ltd.

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA–(Marketwire -10/31/11)- Victor J.E. Jones, President and CFO of Great Quest Metals Ltd. (“Great Quest” or the “Company”) (TSX-V: GQ.V – News)(Frankfurt: GQM.F – News) is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Mohammed Bouhsane as Chief Operating Officer effective November 1, 2011, with principal responsibilities for the Bamako, Mali office and exploration activities. (more…)

THE VOICE OF RUSSIA

The U.S. State Department has included Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi on a list of persons associated with human trafficking. (more…)