Middle East conflict poses long-term economic challenges, says expert Ahmed Khalid Benomar
via Le Matin6 min read
Economist Ahmed Khalid Benomar states that the Middle East conflict presents a significant, enduring challenge to global economies, moving beyond immediate effects to question their ability to withstand external crises without destabilizing internal balances. Speaking on "L'Info en Face," Benomar noted that there are no ideal solutions to the conflict's instability, only less unfavorable ones aimed at limiting damage. He explained that the war is not merely an additional tension but fundamentally redefines macroeconomic forecasts and undermines economic benchmarks established before the conflict. Benomar suggests that the impact, particularly on energy, inputs, logistical costs, and economic expectations, is becoming more pronounced, with April potentially being more challenging than March. He believes Morocco faces this period with real exposure but also with solid foundations. These foundations include a clear strategic vision, guided by a new development model and long-term planning, which he considers a luxury in an uncertain environment. He emphasizes that ongoing reforms, especially concerning the social state, strengthen the Kingdom. Morocco's macroeconomic base remains robust, with growth forecasts around 5% for 2025 and 2026, and a significant drop in inflation to -0.6% in February 2026. Sectoral data also shows positive trends: 4.1% growth in manufacturing, 7% in mining, and approximately 20% in tourist arrivals. While these figures do not guarantee immunity, they i
Free daily or weekly digest of the most important stories from across 10 countries. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Le Matin.
In an international context marked by multiple crises, traditional diplomacy is no longer sufficient, with data, research, and expertise increasingly shaping power dynamics between states. Scientific diplomacy is emerging as a strategic tool for countries seeking influence. In Morocco, this issue is central to a recent policy paper by the Policy Center for the New South PCNS, titled "The Strategic Role of Moroccan Universities in Scientific Diplomacy." Khalid Temsamani, a professor at the Faculty of Sciences of Abdelmalek Essaâdi University and the paper's author, discussed these challenges on the "Débat du mardi" program. Temsamani states that international negotiations have changed, requiring scientific evidence to defend positions, especially on climate, energy, and food security. Morocco has significant scientific output, with over 6,000 annual publications and strong international cooperation, but this potential is underutilized. Universities are key to this transformation, producing reliable data for international forums. However, coordination between researchers, diplomats, and public decision-makers is lacking. Scientific diplomacy is also linked to accessing international funding, with countries presenting solid, data-backed projects being better positioned. The paper identifies obstacles such as a lack of institutional coordination, unstructured funding, and limited recognition of scientists' roles in negotiations. Morocco should focus on strategic areas like water,
Must ReadFrance is set to implement a substantial increase in university tuition fees for international students. Under the proposed changes, annual fees for bachelor's degrees could rise from 178 euros to 2,895 euros, while master's degree fees could increase from 254 euros to 3,941 euros. This announcement has sparked strong opposition from student organizations, who are criticizing the measure as discriminatory.
Pluxee Morocco has announced a strategic partnership with M2T, a payment institution of the BCP Group, signed during GITEX 2026 in Marrakech. This collaboration marks a new phase in the dematerialization of gift and meal vouchers, aiming to modernize a system traditionally dominated by paper formats. The initiative introduces a fully digitized solution based on card and mobile payments, designed to simplify usage, improve traceability, and streamline transactions for businesses, employees, and merchants. This move by Pluxee Morocco seeks to provide a more fluid and integrated experience, aligning with international standards and reducing logistical constraints associated with managing physical vouchers, while offering better transaction visibility. The partnership with M2T is central to this strategy, integrating Pluxee Morocco's solution into the Chaabi Payment network, which expands its national coverage and facilitates adoption by more merchants. This interconnection also strengthens the inclusion of partners in the digital payment ecosystem by providing access to modern tools and a secure infrastructure. Pluxee Morocco's broader ambition is to build a model based on interoperability among various payment stakeholders, focusing on network mutualization and shared value creation. Slim Ben Ammar, General Manager of Pluxee Morocco, stated that this partnership is the first step in a digital transformation project, aiming to simplify the management of social benefits and expan
José Manuel Fernandes, representing Portugal as the guest of honor at the 18th SIAM, emphasized the importance of cooperation between Portugal and Morocco to address food security challenges. He highlighted that Lisbon is the closest European capital to Rabat and views the Atlantic Ocean as a bridge connecting the two friendly nations. Fernandes stated that ensuring accessible food for all is a central objective of this cooperation. He described Portugal's agricultural model as diverse, with small family farms in the north and larger structures in the south, a model they embrace due to regional specificities. The country aims to enhance productivity and competitiveness across all regions. Portugal has launched a 5.4 billion euro project, "Water that Unites," by 2030, to improve national water management for human consumption, agriculture, ecosystems, and flood prevention. Fernandes noted that Portuguese agriculture prioritizes value over volume, particularly in olive oil, wine, and fruits, to ensure satisfactory farmer incomes. He acknowledged the role of the Common Agricultural Policy CAP in supporting farmers and citizens, with over 40% of its funding directed towards climate objectives. Portugal is the tenth-largest wine producer globally, benefiting from regional diversity and unique products like Vinho Verde and Port. Significant investments, such as the 2.5 billion euro Alqueva project, have boosted olive oil productivity, generating over 330 million euros in annual tax