HM the King chairs opening ceremony of First International 'Halieutis' Fair in Agadir

Agadir - HM King Mohammed VI presided, on Wednesday in Agadir, over the opening ceremony of the first International 'Halieutis' Fair, held until January 29 under the theme "sustainability, competitiveness and performance: three pillars of the national strategy to develop the fisheries sector."

-    The  Fair is  dedicated to fisheries, aquaculture, and the promotion of sea products
-    Around 200 exhibitors from 30 countries take part in the event.

    On this occasion, the Sovereign visited the fair's different stands which are divided into six main categories; fishery resources, fishing fleet and equipment, promoting fishery products, international center, institutional center, and training center.

    Spanning over an area of 5 hectares, the Fair brings together 200 exhibitors from around 30 countries as well as 300 trade names representing different branches of the sector.

    The four-day event, which is expected to attract over 120,000 visitors, offers the participants, professionals and institutions an opportunity to exchange expertise and ponder on the technical, scientific and socioeconomic means to support the momentum witnessed in the fisheries sector in Morocco and establish mutually beneficial partnerships.

    In this connection, conferences and round tables will be held with the participation of renowned experts to tackle multiple themes, notably sea resources and ecosystems amid global changes, aquaculture’s development challenges and prospects, in addition to market opportunities and tendencies.

    B to B meetings are also scheduled during the first two days of the international fisheries event, while the last two days will be opened to the public.

    The fair also features education activities, through 3D projections and the setting up of a maritime library and an aquarium, in addition to prize awarding in the categories of quality, innovation and best stand.

    Held by the Halieutis Fair Association under the aegis of the Agriculture and Fisheries Minister, the event aims to support the national strategy to develop the fisheries sector known as "Halieutis Plan", which was presented to HM the King in 2009 in Agadir.

    The Halieutis plan aims to increase the fisheries sector's GDP to 21.9 billion dirhams by 2020 and create around 115,000 direct jobs.

    It also aims to boost sea exports by 3.1% and reach a yearly fisheries production of 1,660 million tonnes, compared to 1,035 currently.

    A road map was drafted within the framework of the Halieutis Plan providing for the promotion of all branches of the fisheries sector, notably through carrying out 16 projects aiming to guarantee a sustainable use of fisheries resources, ensure a better product quality management, and promote the sector’s competitiveness.

HM the King enquires in Casablanca about 'Hay Essalam' social housing integrated program for over $ 509 mln

Casablanca - HM King Mohammed VI enquired, on Tuesday in the Lissasfa neighborhood in Casablanca, about the progress of the "Hay Essalam" social housing integrated program worth 4.2 billion dirhams (around 509.9 million dollars).

-    This leading program shows the royal solicitude for disadvantaged groups and people with limited income.

-    The program involves building 21,959 apartments mostly for social housing.

    The Sovereign was given details on this major project carried out by the "Addoha" real estate group on a surface area of 128 hectares. The program involves building 21,959 apartments, 18,354 of which are for social housing.

    The project, meant to eradicate houses unfit for habitation in the region of Greater Casablanca, will benefit people with average income and comprises also offices, craft industry workshops, shops, public institutions (schools, health centers..) and private establishments (day-care centres..).

    This program, which will span 48 months, shows the royal solicitude for disadvantaged groups and people with limited income by enabling them to own decent houses.

    The building works of a primary school, a health center, an administrative facility, a center for youths, a sports field and a day-care center are already completed. 

    On this occasion, HM the King visited a model apartment built as part of the program, before handing the title deeds to the first beneficiaries of the "Al Farah" project, which is part of "Hay Essalam" social housing integrated program.