Mohamed Dekkak

Two of the major projects initiated by the Office Cherifien de Phosphate (OCP) were launched by the King of Morocco which show the country’s commitment for south-south cooperation, support its industrial strategy and highlighting Morocco as a leader in the phosphate market worldwide.

OCP Projects launched for sustainability and innovation

Amounting to MAD 6.1 billion, the projects include the construction of a fertilizer plant devoted to the African Market (Africa Fertilizer Complex) and the first phase of a seawaterdesalination plant.

Under the directives of the King, the goal of Africa fertilizer Complex is to support the growth of African markets by means of sustained and steady supply of fertilizers. The MAD 5.3 billion complex features a Sulfuric acid plant with a capacity of producing 1.4 million tons per year, a phosphoric acid plant with a capacity of 450.000 tons per year, a fertilizer plant with one million tons of per year capacity, a fertilizer compartment infrastructure with a capacity of 200,000 tons, and a 62-megawatt solar station.

This large-scale project promotes technological and environmental advancement in sulfuric acid production with the use of a 10 MW electric energy growth and a significant cutback in seawater utilization. The sulfur dioxide (SO2) waste was reduced three times compared to international norms.

On the other hand, the seawater desalination plant is part of the agency’s “Water” strategy, and it is going to be developed to meet the additional needs brought about by the development of Khouribga-Jorf Lasfar platform with no further demand for conventional water.

The plant will be built in three phases and is expected to produce 75 million cubic meters of water yearly.

The said infrastructure projects confirm Morocco’s eagerness to build competent, productive and reliable relations with African countries.

Mohamed Dekkak

The third phase of the Solar Photovoltaic Plan of the National Office of Electricity and Drinking Water (ONEE) is on the financing stage.  The Noor-Argana project covers the regions of Boumalen, Errhamna and Essaouira with a capacity of 200 MW instead of 125 MW at a cost of more than 250 million Euros.

Financing of Noor-Argana Solar Photovoltaic project, on course

Consequently, the renewable energy development program for the medium size (10-30 MW) solar photovoltaic (PV) of the agency is now targeting an installed capacity of 500 MW by 2020, opposed to the originally planned 400 MW.  The stated cost of the project doesn’t include costs of study.

The pre-qualification tender for Noor-Argana will be released between late 2016 and early 2017. The commissioning of the project is expected to commence in 2018.  Several international financial institutions have given interest in financing Noor-Argana, including the European Investment Bank and the German bank KfW, which are also concerned in financing the second phase of plan, Noor Atlas.

With a total capacity of 200 MW, Noor Atlas project includes the construction of eight photovoltaic plants with a unit capacity of 10 to 30 MW, which will be installed in the southern region in Tata, Tahla (Bouizakarne) and Tan Tan, while the remaining will be constructed in the eastern region which are Outat El Haj, Ain Beni Mathar, Boudnib, Bouanane and Boulmane (Enjil). This project is expected to be fully operational in 2018. The Atlas project, whose cost is estimated at 300 million Euros, will receive financial support from the German KfW bank  and the European Investment Bank, in addition to the contribution of the European Commission.

The first phase called Noor-Tafilalet projects was offered to provide and meet the country’s supply of electricity and improving the quality of service for the regions. Noor-Tafilalet involves construction of three plants with an average unit capacity of 25 MW for a minimum total capacity of 75 MW expandable to 100 MW in the regions of Erfoud and Zagora Missour.

The pre-qualification for Noor-Tafilalet was announced last July 2015 and the commissioning of the first plant is scheduled on the beginning of 2017.

Mohamed Dekkak

Real estate developer in Dubai, Damac Properties has revealed that they will be commencing the construction of three new projects in the hospitality division in 2016.

Real Estate Developer Reveals Three New Hotels for 2016

Damac Properties will offer approximately 900 hotel rooms and hotel apartments, other than the prior five projects, which commenced in the Burj vicinity.

The corporation will unveil Damac Maison Upper Crest in Burj area, which will offer 350-key, and Damac Maison The Distinction in Burj area, with 300-key, and Naya Tenora in Dubai south city, with around 250-key.

With the opening of the three projects, it will get the total keys managed by the firm at the end of 2016 to 2350 hotel rooms and serviced apartments, as well as the complete services offered by hospitality branch ‘DAMAC Maison Hotels & Resorts’.

Mohamed Dekkak

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces joined a retreat to talk about the post oil phase in UAE.

UAE Leaders attended the retreat in Dubai to plan post-oil future

The retreat started on 30-31 January 2016 at the Bab Al Shams Resort in Dubai.

Their Highnesses joined in the retreat dialogues that intend to cultivate a complete national programme for a varied and sustainable economy. The first day of the retreat started with conferences in which participants observed the recent state of the UAE economy by evaluating the GDP development rates since 1980 and the involvement of oil and non-oil divisions. One of the conferences was devoted to emphasizing prospects for the advancement of the essential non-oil divisions in the UAE to be a factor to reinforcing the position of UAE.

Another conference talked about upcoming situations for the UAE economy underscoring the most significant situations that could be taken on by the government to make a quantum leap in obtaining optimistic modifications in several divisions. The conference also emphasized the substance of enhancing national talents to head these divisions.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed joined in the dialogues where four teams were made with each team consisting of a number of minister senior officials and specialists to suggest and talk about the proposals within every division.

Another working group on community was headed by H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foreign Minister to talk about means of making sure the sustainability of social welfare for Emirati families and spreading resources of income.

UAE economy has shown noteworthy, robust and steadiness urged by the flexible economic strategies of the government in the past years planned at expanding the economy. In 1980 the UAE’s GDP arrived at AED 555 billion (oil revenue given the mainstream with 79% and non-oil sectors 21%). In 2014 the GDP arrived at AED 1155 billion (non-oil sectors contributed up to 69% of profit while oil sectors contribution was 31%).

The UAE government is working to institute a legal environment that sustains economic development and reinforces the UAE’s competitiveness in fascinating investments. The non-oil sectors in the country including manufacturing; government services infrastructure and aviation have experienced considerable alteration to turn into the finest in the world.

Mohamed Dekkak