
Morocco's Minister of Industry and Trade, Ryad Mezzour, announced that industrial land reserves have reached 15,000 hectares. In the last three months, 1,800 hectares were added in the Casablanca region, with further efforts planned based on demand. The ministry is committed to providing land at 600 dirhams per square meter for operators vacating warehouses, offering extended deadlines to facilitate continued investment in authorized activities. Mezzour stated that 1,960 projects have been approved by his department, with 86% having identified land. The remaining projects are pending precise territorial location or completion of financial arrangements, with efforts underway to support their financing. The minister also acknowledged potential procedural issues with the Investment Charter, particularly regarding the disbursement of investment premiums. He assured that the ministry is working to resolve these issues to boost investor confidence in the industrial sector, while also simplifying procedures and improving access to investment programs.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Le Matin.

The 2026 World Cup is anticipated to be a luxurious and expensive event, especially for Moroccan supporters planning to follow the Atlas Lions. Unlike the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, which had relatively reasonable prices, the upcoming tournament is expected to feature exorbitant costs. Moroccan fans face significant logistical and financial challenges due to the considerable distances between host cities where the national team will play its group stage matches. Additionally, the prices for tickets, transportation, and accommodation are projected to be extremely high, making the experience very costly for those wishing to support their team.

Prince Moulay Rachid presided over the opening of the 18th International Agricultural Show in Morocco SIAM in Meknes. This event highlights the King's focus on the agricultural sector and Morocco's commitment to sustainable development, climate change, and food security. Upon arrival, Prince Moulay Rachid was greeted by various officials, including Princess Sara Bent Bandar Bin Abdelaziz Al Saoud, executive director of the International Dates Council, and the Minister of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development, and Water and Forests. He also presented distinctive origin and quality labels to presidents of agricultural cooperatives and groups, including "Amendes de Ghassate" to Mohamed Boussaksou and "cumin beldi d’Alnif" to Mohand Ihmadi. Prince Moulay Rachid also presented "Piment doux Ouled Ali Fkih Ben Saleh" to Mohamed Haidach and "Huile d’olive vierge-extra El Kelâa des Sraghna" to Abderrahman Labiad. The Portuguese Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, whose country is the guest of honor, greeted Prince Moulay Rachid, along with representatives from 11 other invited countries and development partners. Prince Moulay Rachid visited several exhibition areas, including the "Regions" pole, "Animal Production," "Food Security," and "Agricultural Council" pavilions, as well as those of OCP Group and other sponsors. The SIAM 2026, held at Place Sahrij Souani over 37 hectares, features 70 participating countries and expects over 1.1 million visitors. It hosts more th

The second edition of the "Faces of Morocco of Excellence" awards, held in Casablanca on April 15, 2026, recognized ten Moroccan talents for their international achievements. Supported by the Council of the Moroccan Community Abroad, the event highlighted individuals who contribute to Morocco's global presence across various strategic sectors. Honorees included Ambassador Samira Sitail, astrophysicist Meriem Elyajouri from NASA, composer Youssef Guezoum, triathlete Badr Siwane, coach Tarik Sektioui, and actress Mouna Fettou. A notable recognition went to Khadija Bendam for her election as president of the International Nuclear Societies Council INSC, marking a global first and demonstrating Moroccan leadership in nuclear governance. Her work with CNESTEN in safety and security audits further solidifies her role in international standards. The "Faces of Morocco" initiative, founded by Hind Chaouat, aims to connect diaspora talents with their home country and showcase inspiring journeys, projecting an image of Morocco as an open, connected, and excellence-driven nation on the international stage.

Morocco is exploring the integration of artificial intelligence into the practical driving license exam through a project called "Smart Drive Test." This initiative, under discussion since 2018 between the National Road Safety Agency NARSA and sector representatives, was re-evaluated in February 2026. Mustapha El Haji, president of the Moroccan Federation of Driving Instructors and School Owners, explained that the system involves "smart cars" equipped with sensors and software to analyze driving in real-time, identify errors, and automatically assign a score. The primary goal is to reduce human bias in evaluation, addressing concerns about favoritism and inconsistent assessments. However, El Haji cautions against premature generalization, citing structural deficiencies in current examination centers. He notes that only 19 to 20 of Morocco's 74 centers have closed tracks suitable for practical exams, with most candidates still taking tests in open, often busy, traffic conditions. He emphasizes that basic conditions must be met nationwide before implementing such advanced technology to ensure fair and standardized exams. The project is currently in the study and consultation phase, with no official deployment date announced.