More Filters
There were 1333 results found for:

All Regions and All Sectors

Analysis

From the ground up: New legislation promises to introduce more Islamic finance options
OBG
plus

Islamic finance is set to take root in Morocco after a new banking law is passed by parliament, currently anticipated for spring 2013. The law allows fully fledged Islamic banks, with up to 49% foreign shareholding, and institutes regulations on a number of Islamic finance products. It will also include legislation on securitisation – an amendment that would open the Casablanca Stock Exchange…

Analysis

Disway: Software
OBG
plus

THE COMPANY: Disway is the result of the merger of Distrisoft with Matel PC Market in April 2010. The company is the market leader in the distribution of software solutions and computer equipment in Morocco. The firm has genuine activity in North Africa, and may be looking to expand its operations to some francophone African countries in the coming years. Disway is looking beyond the turmoil in…

Analysis

Fighting poverty: The long climb to social prosperity
OBG
plus

The Arab Spring that began in 2011 was a wake-up call to the ruling elites across the region of their failure to deliver upon social contracts with their people. While Morocco was spared the unrest seen in neighbouring countries, the government took heed of citizen’s call for better opportunities, and implemented a series of stop-gap measures and longer-term reforms. The protests of February…

Analysis

Staking a claim: Foreign direct investment helps to spur sector expansion
OBG
plus

With the second-largest insurance market in Africa, Morocco has attracted considerable foreign involvement in the sector. Annual levels of foreign direct investment (FDI) have varied widely, from Dh21.4m (€1.90m) in 2007 to Dh451.6m (€40.1m) in 2009, and back down to Dh301.9m (€26.8m) in 2010. And yet, foreign companies have an established presence on the domestic market. Axa Assurance Maroc…

Analysis

Offshoring success: The country aims to maintain its lead in outsourced services
OBG
plus

With European businesses bent on reducing expenses in cost-sensitive sectors, Morocco is becoming a leading provider of offshoring services, especially for the French- and Spanish-speaking markets. The kingdom has now begun emphasising nearshoring – the relocation of customer-oriented services to neighbouring countries – to spur growth and job creation. ON TOP: Morocco was named 2012 “Offshoring…

Analysis

Keeping in touch: Faster mobile internet and better-quality connections are on the way
OBG
plus

In an effort to increase the speed of mobile internet in the country, Morocco is about to inaugurate 4G accessibility. After some delays, the end of 2013 might be the beginning of a new mobile internet era, with the allocation of at least the first 4G licence, most likely to one of Morocco’s already established operators, Maroc Telecom, Méditel or Wana. The intention to introduce a high-speed…

Analysis

Groupe Alliances: Real estate
OBG
plus

THE COMPANY: The group’s recent positioning in the low- and middle-end segment has been successful. The strategic choice to promote affordable and mid-range housing, as the demand for golf properties fell sharply, has produced its first results: in 2011, the low- and middle-end segment contributed 65% to consolidated revenues that were up 66% to Dh4.34bn (€515m). Its contribution should remain…

Analysis

Groupe Banque Populaire: Banking
OBG
plus

DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY: At the local level, the group is contemplating pursuing a strategy of reinforcement. The bank’s development plan provides for a sustained increase in branch openings, with an average of 100 new locations each year. Additionally, the bank would strengthen the market position of specialised financial subsidiaries, mainly Vivalis and Maroc Leasing – the Moroccan market leader…

Analysis

Lesieur Cristal: Agribusiness
OBG
plus

French group has completed a milestone in its internationalisation process, which is focused on the Maghreb, West Africa and Eastern Europe. SNI has also divested 12.9% of Lesieur Cristal capital equity to several Moroccan institutional shareholders. Following these operations, SNI’s stake in Lesieur Cristal became 22.3%. The transfer of SNI stake in Lesieur is part of the investment company’s…

Analysis

Risma: Hospitality
OBG
plus

THE COMPANY: Founded in 1993 and floated on the Casablanca Stock Exchange (CSE) since 2006, Risma is the first investment vehicle dedicated to hotel development in the kingdom. With 33 hotels and nearly 4800 rooms, Risma manages the largest hotel chain in Morocco and deploys a unique portfolio of hotels under the Accor brand in 13 cities across the country. Today, Risma has a broad offering enabling…