Meanwhile award ceremonies can have up to 1,000 guests, with vaccination not mandatory for guests.

DTCM urged all event organisers and the public to adhere to all the Covid-19 guidelines in place.

SeaWorld Abu Dhabi to feature world's largest aquarium

Miral, Abu Dhabi's leading curator of magnetic experiences, in partnership with SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, has announced significant progress on the construction of the next generation of marine life theme parks and Yas Island's latest mega-development.

SeaWorld Abu Dhabi, which is set to feature the world's largest aquarium and the new Yas SeaWorld Research and Rescue Center, is currently 64 per cent complete.

On track for completion in 2022, recent constructions include the completion of the primary steel erection and near finalisation of the envelope enclosure of the marine life park.

Additionally, the structure's façade is currently in progress, as well as over 70% of the acrylic panels installed across the park.

Miral CEO Mohamed Abdalla Al Zaabi said: "We are delighted to be partnering SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment in developing this next generation marine life park, that is set to feature the world's largest aquarium and the UAE's first dedicated research center to study and care for animals."

SeaWorld Abu Dhabi, once complete, is set to be home to the world's largest aquarium, containing 25 million litres of water and housing more than 68,000 marine animals, including sharks, schools of fish, manta rays and sea turtles.

A focal view of the aquarium will present visitors with the 'Endless Vista', a 20-m-tall vertical window across multiple levels revealing aquatic scenes.

SeaWorld CEO Marc Swanson said: "SeaWorld Abu Dhabi joins our North American parks in our mission and commitment to conservation efforts worldwide.

"We have hundreds of professionals focused on animal care, rescue and rehabilitation, conservation education, habitat protection, and species research and we are excited to see the Yas SeaWorld Research and Rescue Center expand SeaWorld's global impact with the marine life conservation efforts in the region."

Building off SeaWorld's research and rescue expertise, the Yas SeaWorld Research and Rescue Center will act as an advanced knowledge hub focusing on indigenous Gulf and marine life ecosystems.

The facility will be located adjacent to the aquarium and theme park, and will be the first dedicated marine research, rescue, rehabilitation and return centre in the UAE. It will integrate with SeaWorld's efforts related to research, rescue, conservation, and education.

Accessible to visitors by reservation, the Research and Rescue Center will also demonstrate the work from resident scientists and researchers, enriching guests' knowledge of aquatic animals, and offering tailored educational learning programmes for local and international schools and touring groups.

Spanning a floor area of 183,000 sq m across five indoor levels, SeaWorld Abu Dhabi's design leverages SeaWorld's more than 55 years of experience in marine research, conservation, and animal welfare.- TradeArabia News Service

Entry to public places in Abu Dhabi only for vaccinated

Citizens, residents and tourists with Covid-19 vaccinated status and green status on the Alhosn app, which appears after a negative PCR test result and remains for 30 days, will be allowed entry to public places in Abu Dhabi from August 20.

This was announced by the Abu Dhabi Emergency, Crisis and Disasters Committee, which also stated that entry is also allowed for those exempted from vaccination with green status on Alhosn app, which appears after a negative PCR test result and remains for seven days.

Children under 16 years, whose status will appear as green on Alhosn app without the requirement of a test, will also be allowed entry, WAM reported.

Unvaccinated individuals and those with grey status on Alhosn app, which reflects an expired PCR test, are prohibited from entering public places.

The committee also announced that those with a new residency permit have a grace period of 60 days to be vaccinated.

The process also applies to visitors and tourists, who should also adhere to the international travel protocol.

The committee explained that to maintain the vaccinated status, a booster dose must be taken six months after receiving the second dose as per the medical protocol for each vaccine.

A grace period of 30 days is given to all those who have taken their second dose more than six months ago, before their status will turn grey on September 20. Participants in vaccine trials are exempt from needing a booster dose.

The public places are shopping centres, restaurants, cafes, and all other retail outlets, including those not within a shopping centre, as well as gyms, recreational facilities and sporting activities, health clubs, resorts, museums, cultural centres and theme parks.

The list also includes universities, institutes, public and private schools and children's nurseries in the emirate.

The committee stressed the importance of committing to precautionary measures as well as choosing to vaccinate as it is the most effective method for sustainable recovery.

UAE: Schools told to train alternative teaching staff for Covid emergencies

The Ministry of Education (MoE) has advised schools to train in advance alternative teaching staff who will stand in for teachers who might be quarantined after testing positive for Covid-19 or had contact with patients.

The move is to ensure continuity of in-class lessons when schools open in September.

The ministry also asked the institutions to develop a concept for all subjects and how to teach students especially in schools that opt for the hybrid learning model (in-class learning for two days and three for e-learning).

It said students will be required to physically attend exams at schools.

The MoE urged firms providing transportation services to adhere to the approved capacity in school buses and to register students' names on daily lists, ensuring bus drivers and supervisors follow health and safety measures including wearing masks and maintaining physical distance in buses.

It also highlighted the need to educate their staff about the importance of adhering to safety measures including maintaining social distance and sterilising the buses before and after every trip to control the spread of Covid-19.

Reporting Covid cases

It also specified regulations to track contact cases and report health problems associated with the Coronavirus. If a student or a staff has been infected with Covid-19, the school should check the attendance data to find out those who were in close contact with the infected person during the previous two days starting from the date of collecting the swab sample.

Students who were in close contact with the infected person will be sent home and told to follow the quarantine rules. They should be advised on the possible Covid symptoms and the importance of adhering to the necessary health procedures.

The school must inform the concerned health authorities about cases of Covid infection and the number of people who are likely to be exposed to the virus. The infected student or school staff will have to show proof of treatment and the completion of the imposed quarantine requirements to be allowed back to the campus.

UAE flights: Some travellers who took Covid vaccines abroad get ICA, GDRFA approval

Etihad Airways has also said that Indian nationals with a visa or residence permit issued by the US, UK or an EU member state can visit Abu Dhabi.

Some travellers with Covid-19 vaccination certificates from restricted countries are receiving pre-travel approvals from the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA) and General Directorate of Residency and Foreign Affairs (GDRFA) to fly to the UAE, Khaleej Times has learnt.

Last week, leading UAE and foreign carriers confirmed residence visa holders from restricted countries, including India and Pakistan, can travel into the country as long as they have approval from the ICA and GDRFA, in addition to negative Covid-19 test results.

Since then, scores of travellers, including those from India and Pakistan, who did not receive their vaccination doses in the UAE, have also been able to fly into the Emirates upon receiving pre-travel nods.

Dubai resident Muzaffar Ahmed (name changed on request) had gone to India on his annual leave on April 2. "I was supposed to return after a month-and-a-half-long holiday. I lost three months' pay during the time I was stuck in Lucknow."

Ahmed took the Covishield vaccine during his time in India, due to which, he was able to return as soon as travel restrictions were lifted.

He finally returned to his home in Dubai on Tuesday, August 17. "I applied for the GDRFA approval and got it within 45 to 50 minutes. I flew into Dubai from Lucknow International Airport and I was on the first flight from the city to Dubai after the airport launched an on-site rapid PCR testing facility," he explained.

'PCR test valid from time of sample collection'

Ahmed reached the Lucknow airport at 11.30am, even though his Indigo Airlines flight was set to depart to Dubai only at 5pm. He offered a word of caution to passengers wishing to travel.

"A few travellers were not allowed to board the flight as their pre-travel PCR test was considered invalid. The 48-hour RT-PCR test result is calculated from the time of sample collection and not from the time of receiving the test result. In one instance, a passenger couldn't board the flight because his test report overshot the stipulated time by three hours," he pointed out.

Ahmed also said the entire trip was an expensive affair. "The ticket cost me Rs21,500 (approx. Dh1,035). I booked it through a travel agent. The 48-hour RT-PCR test cost me Rs 1,200 (approx Dh60) and the on-site rapid test Rs 3,500 (approx. Dh170)," he said.

Praveen Nair, a traveller from Mumbai to Dubai, said: "I got the GRDFA approval in 48 hours. After arriving in Dubai, I had to undergo a second PCR test at the airport. Authorities placed a sticker on my passport and I got my test result in 24 hours."

Stephy Joseph, another Indian expatriate who took the Covishield jab, said: "I got the approval in 36 hours. I also spoke to the check-in counter officials and explained that mine was a humanitarian case as I'd been separated from my kids and husband since March this year."

'Travel processes for Abu Dhabi residents vaccinated abroad'

Travel agents have said the process for travellers arriving in Dubai is pretty straightforward.

Raheesh Babu, the group COO of Musafir.com, said: "In Dubai, passengers who have taken their vaccinations abroad have been able to return; the process is seamless. Passengers need GDRFA approval and should have their residency visas stamped on their passports. In rare cases, entry permit holders are being allowed to travel in case they fall into the humanitarian exemptions category."

On Saturday, the Abu Dhabi Emergency, Crisis and Disasters Committee announced the process for verifying international vaccination certificates for visitors to Abu Dhabi emirate, starting August 20. However, it is not yet immediately clear if stranded Abu Dhabi residents wishing to return have been able to avail the services yet.

However, on Wednesday, Etihad Airways said that Indian nationals with a visa or residence permit issued by the US, UK or an EU member state can visit Abu Dhabi. "ICA approval is not required. Vaccination is not a condition of entry but you will need to show your testing status to enter public places," the airline stated.

Kuwait: Fully vaccinated expats can return from Aug 1, need to undergo home quarantine

Kuwait has confirmed that fully-vaccinated expats holding valid residency documents (iqamas) will be allowed to return to country from August 1.

However, they need to have received one of the four approved vaccines in Kuwait including Pfizer-BioNTech, Oxford-AstraZeneca, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation said.

Also, travellers will only be allowed to board the plane if at least 14 days have lapsed since they have taken the second dose.

The DGCA also said all those planning to travel to Kuwait must also have a negative PCR test result taken within 72 hours of travel time.

Expats and Kuwaitis who have been vaccinated in Kuwait should complete registration on the Shlonik application and Kuwait Mosafer platform.

Kuwaiti residents who have been inoculated outside Kuwait are required to authorise their vaccination certificate by uploading it to the health ministry website. The vaccination must be verified electronically before boarding the plane - no paper documents will be accepted, officials said.

They will also be required to register on the Shlonik app and Kuwait Mosafer platform.

Meanwhile, all those landing in Kuwait - including residents and citizens - will have to quarantine at home for seven days from the day of arrival.

In case they want to end the quarantine early, they can undergo a PCR test on the third day. If the result is negative, they can end the quarantine.

Unvaccinated Kuwaitis (and those who have received vaccines not approved in the country) and those who have the red or yellow color mark on their Immune/Kuwait Mobile ID apps must first complete registration with the Shlonik app and Kuwait Mosafer platform. They will have to pay the cost for two PCR tests and take the first upon arrival in Kuwait and the second on the sixth day of institutional quarantine. They must also pay the cost of the seven-day quarantine at a local authorised hotel.

If the result of the second PCR test is negative, they will complete the seventh day of quarantine at the hotel followed by seven days at home.

Members of the foreign diplomatic corps in Kuwait, their first-degree relatives (spouses and children) and their domestic helpers are exempt from institutional quarantine, provided they produce their official IDs.

Medical staff, their spouses and children and their domestic helpers are also exempt from institutional quarantine provided their produce documents proving their profession.

Authorities also confirmed that only Kuwaiti citizens who have been fully vaccinated will be allowed to travel out of the country from August 1.

Kuwait considers reducing visa fee for residents aged over 60

Kuwaiti officials are mulling the possibility of reducing the visa renewal fees for residents aged over 60 who do not hold university degrees, local media reported.

In January, the country banned the issuance of work permit renewals for expatriates aged 60 who do not hold university degrees.

Last month, it was reported that the Public Authority for Manpower (PAM) approved plans to allow the renewal of work permits for such expatriates for a fee of KD2,000.

However, several officials have since said that the amount should be reduced to make it more affordable for those who fit in the category.

The cabinet is currently supporting a decision to cut the annual fee by 50 per cent to reach KD1,000 per individual, local daily Kuwait Times cited government sources as saying.

The amount will include the state's fee - expected to be roughly KD500, with roughly the same amount for health insurance- which will cover treatment at private hospitals, the report added.

The new policy was implemented after Kuwait's government proposed a new plan to 'rebalance' its population last year.

The plan could see as many as 360,000 expatriates deported in the "short-term" including 120,000 illegal workers, 150,000 expats aged over 60 as well as 90,000 'poorly-educated labourers', according to media reports.

Longer-term, the plan proposes replacing tens of thousands of expat workers with locals, by adopting technology and tightening the recruitment regulations, officials said.

Kuwait schools to reopen for on-campus learning in late September

Public, Private and international schools in Kuwait will reopen for on-campus learning in late September and early October, amidst strict health precautions by the authorities, announced Ali Al-Mudhaf, Education Minister in Kuwait.

All foreign-language schools will reopen on September 26th for on-campus classes, while public and private Arabic schools will reopen on 3rd October, the minister said.

The maximum capacity per classroom has been fixed for 20 students per class, and the students will be seated two metres apart. A strict mask mandate would be enforced for students.

Meanwhile, foreign schools can conduct online classes until 26th September, and thereafter the students will attend on-campus classes.

For public and private Arabic schools, the classes would be divided into two groups. The first group will go to school on Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday, while the second group will visit on Monday and Wednesday.

In the following week, groups will swap attendance, with second group going on Tuesday, Sunday and Thursday, and the first on Monday and Tuesday. The groups will continue alternate on-campus attendance, the minister said.

The duration of each period has been extended to an hour from 45 minutes to allow teachers to compensate for loss in education due to closure of schools last year owing to the pandemic.

Mudhaf also said that majority of teachers and students have been vaccinated, and those who decided not to get vaccinated will have to go through PCR test every week on Sunday.

Further, students are prohibited from gathering in any form, and all group activities are banned, he emphasized.

Bahrain adds Georgia, Ukraine and Malawi to travel red list

Bahrain will add three countries - Georgia, Ukraine and Malawi - to its travel red list starting Thursday, August 12.

Passengers from red list countries, including those who have transited through these countries in the preceding 14 days, are prohibited from entering the kingdom, with the exception of citizens or residents of Bahrain.

Those who are eligible for entry from these countries must present a negative PCR test result, with a QR code, administered within 48 hours of their departure for the kingdom.

Further testing is required upon arrival and on the 10th day of their mandatory quarantine. The payment for the testing may be made on arrival or through the 'BeAware Bahrain' app.

Quarantine centres licensed by the National Health Regulatory Authority (NHRA) have been made available for passengers who do not have a permanent address in Bahrain.

Those with a permanent address in Bahrain registered in their name or the name of an immediate family member may complete their 10-day mandatory quarantine at that address. Passengers aged six and below are exempt from these requirements.

Bahrain's Civil Aviation Affairs said that the decision to add the three countries was made in line with directives issued by the Government Executive Committee in response to recommendations made by the National Medical Taskforce for Combatting the Coronavirus (Covid-19), reported Bahrain News Agency.

The full list of Bahrain's red list countries include:

• People's Republic of Bangladesh


• Republic of India


• Islamic Republic of Pakistan


• Islamic Republic of Iran


• Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka


• The Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal


• Republic of Indonesia


• Socialist Republic of Vietnam


• Republic of the Philippines


• Federation of Malaysia


• Republic of Iraq


• Republic of Tunisia


• Georgia


• Mongolia


• United Mexican States


• Dominican Republic


• Republic of the Union of Myanmar


• Republic of Panama


• Republic of South Africa


• Republic of Malawi


• Republic of Namibia


• Republic of Uganda


• Republic of Zimbabwe


• Republic of Mozambique


• Ukraine

Bahrain's iconic Water Garden work nearing completion

More than 95 per cent of the renovation work has been completed on the Water Garden development project spread over a six hectare area in the capital Manama. The work has been fully completed on the service buildings and parking lots.

On completion of the development works, Manama's iconic Water Garden will feature a botanical garden, two lakes, family spaces, children's play areas, a wooden bridge, a sports area, and a number of green spaces.

Works, Municipal Affairs and Urban Planning Minister Issam bin Abdullah Khalaf said 98% of the landscaping work has been completed.

"The development project aims to preserve its historical heritage, renovate the park and preserving the ponds," he stated.

Work has already been completed on 239-unit parking lots. Of this, an entire section will be dedicated to only people of determination, said the minister.

Construction of the service buildings in the park too have been completed, he added.

The Water Garden is being redesigned to preserve a number of elements, including keeping and replanting 559 trees in total, of which 383 are palm trees and 176 are of other types.- TradeArabia News Service

Oman to lift evening lockdown on August 21 as Covid cases decline

Oman will end its coronavirus lockdown on Saturday as cases of the deadly virus have started to decline.

Lockdown hours were reduced at the start of August to 10pm to 4am, having been set at 5pm to 4am originally.

From Saturday, all night-time lockdown measures will be lifted and people will be allowed to move around the country, Oman's Supreme Committee on Covid-19 said on Thursday.

The first person died of Covid-19 in Oman on April 1, 2020. Since then more than 4,000 people have died and there have been more than 300,000 cases.

The sultanate has been in and out of lockdown since April 10 last year.

New cases have been declining since the peak of Oman's third wave in June, from 2,529 cases a day to 173 on Wednesday.

The committee said people who were not vaccinated would be banned from entering indoor public places such as restaurants, malls, shops and offices from September 1.

Some have criticised the decision, claiming it is a breach of their civil rights.

"It is outrageous. They are forcing us to vaccinate when we don't want to do it," Omani mother of two Jamila Al Jardani, 36, told The National.

"This is against our civil liberty and it was really shocking to read in the news of the new decision.

"Whether to vaccinate or not must remain our private decision and we should not be denied to go wherever we please just because we don't want a vaccination."

Businesspeople also objected to the decision, saying it would restrict their trade.

"Less than half of the population is vaccinated," said Ahmed Haider, the Indian owner of a restaurant in Seeb, Muscat.

"That means half of all of customers will not be able to do shopping or eat outside and that will reduce our income."

Oman said this week that about 2.1 million of its 4.5 million population have had at least one vaccine dose.

Others welcomed the decision, saying it was about time the government made a firm decision about vaccination.

"I congratulate the government for making this decision," British resident Jane Howard, 42, told The National.

"We are mingling with people in malls and restaurants and half of them probably did not vaccinate and they go on coughing all over the place to infect others.

"This decision will make a lot of people feel secure knowing that it is safer to be out there."

The committee also changed entry requirements for the sultanate. From September 1, all entrants over 18 must have had two doses of a coronavirus vaccine approved in Oman, which are those produced by Pfizer-BioNTech, Oxford-AstraZeneca, Sinovac, and the Russian-made Sputnik V.

Visitors and residents will also have to produce a PCR test result and undertake another at their point of entry.

The sultanate's Ministry of Education also ordered all pupils to go back to school in the new academic year, which is expected to start in September.

This month, Oman started a campaign to vaccinate all schoolchildren from the age of 12.

"The vaccination of schoolchildren will continue in campuses to make sure all students will be vaccinated while they are attending classes, the committee responsible for Covid-19 said on Thursday.

Parents were happy with the decision, saying online classes were not really working.

"My children had difficulty, especially my 7-year-old son, attending classes at home," said Omani civil servant Aisha Al Faraj, 39.

"They could not follow up what the teachers were saying and sometimes there would be disruption with the internet, too. I am happy that they are now going back to physical classes."

Qatar reopens to fully vaccinated international travellers with no quarantine

Qatar has reopened its borders to international travellers who have been fully vaccinated against Covid-19, without the need for quarantine.

However, the decision will only cover travellers fully inoculated with vaccines approved by Qatar including Pfizer BioNTech, Moderna, Oxford-Astrazeneca (including Covishield), Johnson & Johnson and Sinopharm.

Also, atleast 14 days must have passed since the completion of the vaccination programme, an official statement said.

Travellers vaccinated with Sinopharm will also need to pre-book a quarantine hotel if they are coming from a yellow or red list country, and they will be subject to an antibody test on arrival in the hotel. If the antibody test result is positive with antibodies, they will be discharged on day 1 (if coming from yellow), or once the on-hotel-arrival PCR test result is negative for travellers coming from a red list country.

All international visitors, citizens and residents must also register and upload required documentation such as a vaccination certificate, valid PCR test up to 72 hours prior to travel, and personal details onto the 'Ehteraz' website.

They have to apply for the authorisation through the Ehteraz website at least 12 hours before their planned departure to Qatar.

Airlines will only be permitted to let passengers who have a valid travel authorisation for Qatar board.

While travellers from 80 nationalities can visit Qatar with a free visa on arrival, those requiring a visitor visa must first obtain a visitor visa and then apply for their travel authorisation on the Ehteraz website.

Visitors will require a confirmed hotel booking to visit Qatar.

Upon arrival, all travellers are required to download and activate the Ehteraz mobile app which requires a domestic Qatari SIM card.

A SIM card can be purchased from either Ooredoo or Vodafone on arrival at Hamad International Airport.

"Travellers are advised to check the entry requirements of the country they are travelling from and will return to from Qatar, before booking any flights and should understand that those policies can change with very little notice," the statement added.

Qatar is looking to slowly boost tourism as it prepares to host the FIFA World Cup next year.

Walk and chill: Two air-conditioned parks to open in Qatar

Qatar is set to snatch yet another world-first by opening its first ever parks with fully air-conditioned tracks, Head of Public Projects Department at the Public Works Authority [Ashghal] Abdul Hakim Al Hashemi revealed.

In an interview with Al Rayyan TV, the official said that Ashghal, in in cooperation with the environment ministry, is currently working on three new parks: Al Gharafa, Umm Al Saneem, and Rawdat Al Khail park.

Two of the parks will contain air-conditioned tracks for recreational activities such as walking, exercising and cycling - becoming the first ever parks with such technology.

This will allow the community to stay active and enjoy the beautiful greenery without worrying about the country's harsh summer weather.

"The project was implemented after conducting several studies since 2009. The idea was initially inspired by Qatar's 2022 World Cup air-conditioned stadiums, and then later moved to the Katara street. We took all the studies and created this new system [the air-conditioned parks project]," said the official to Al Rayyan TV.

Umm Al Saneem, which is set to open up for the public first, will stretch over 130,000 square metres and will have a green coverage rate of up to 70%.

But that's not all. The first-of-its-kind park will also have 1,150 metres of air-conditioned tracks for the public to enjoy.

The second conditioned park, Al Gharafa, will cover over 51,000 square metres with the same 70% green coverage rate. Its strategic location will make it a perfect choice for many, including students, to enjoy a fresh walk during the day.

The third and second biggest park in the project will cover around 140,000 square metres, Al Hashemi stated.

Al Muntaza Park, located in Rawdat Al Khail area on C Ring Road, will have a 105,000 square metre green arena, pedestrian and bicycle paths along 1,300 meters, and more than 300 parking slots for visitors.

Playgrounds for children's sports and activities will also be available at all parks, with certain areas designated for kids aged two to four and six to 12 years old.

The project aims to encourage physical activity and sports by placing several sports equipment in two different areas in each park, with the new technology aiming to advocate for healthy lifestyles throughout the year.

Tunisia: Curfew to Start At Midnight As of Thursday

Tunis/Tunisia - The nightly curfew will be shortened as of Thursday, August 19, the Presidency of the Republic said on Wednesday. It will start at midnight rather than 10pm.

"The curfew will run from midnight to 5 am starting August 19 until further notice," said the Presidency. The following measures were also announced:

- Family, private and public events in enclosed spaces are banned.

- Fully vaccinated people are allowed to attend family, public and private gatherings in open spaces while abiding by health guidelines.

- Cafes and restaurants, all categories included, will have to remove chairs and stop serving customers on site as of 10 pm.

- Passengers arriving by air, sea or land must present at check-in a negative PCR test not exceeding three days. They must also go into a 10-day mandatory quarantine. Fully vaccinated people will be exempt from these measures by presenting vaccination certificates.

- Competent authorities are urged to to strengthen the enforcement and control of the health protocol as well as individual and collective preventive measures in all sectors, public and private spaces, supermarkets and public transport.

- Civil and military health authorities are urged to intensify and speed up vaccination campaigns and testing.

Morocco, One of Pillars of Renault's Strategic Plan

Casablanca - Morocco is one of the pillars of Renault Group's strategic plan, which directs the group's activity towards more value creation, said Wednesday, Renault Group director general Luca From Meo.

"The Kingdom, a country with high potential, is today in the top 5 of Renault's industrial countries and in the top 15 of the group's worldwide sales", said De Meo who was speaking at the "Rendez-vous de l'industrie automobile", an event held in hybrid mode under the theme" Debate meeting of public-private players in the automotive industry".

He also noted that "the group is proud to be a key contributor in the development of the Moroccan car industry and to have been able to seize this opportunity", adding that beyond the fact that Renault is the second largest company in the Kingdom in terms of turnover, it relies on its 11,000 employees who have made this industry "a true Success Story".

At the same time, De Meo said that the group has signed ambitious agreements which are able to give new impetus to the Renault-Morocco partnership. "We are targeting, by 2025, 2.5 billion euros of turnover in local sourcing and eventually reaching 3 billion euros and 80% integration," he said.

He said that the group is already aligned with its objectives, since it exceeded at the beginning of 2021 the mark of 60% of the integration rate, adding in this sense that the group is preparing for the industrialization of new vehicles for the brands of Renault and Dacia in the two Moroccan sites of the group and will unveil the first Dacia Sandero manufactured in Somaca.

International Real Estate Group Ascott Limited Expands to Morocco

The group announced it had acquired two new properties in Casablanca, as part of its African portfolio.

Denver - Singapore-based real estate company Ascott Limited announced its entrance into the Moroccan market, further solidifying its presence on the African continent.

The company's announced venture in Morocco is part of its Middle East, Africa, and Turkey (MEAT) portfolio. Both of the company's newly acquired high end apartment properties, the Citadines Racine and Citadines Connect Belvedere, are located in Casablanca. The group reports that the new apartments will add nearly 200 individual apartment units to the group's existing profile.

Currently, Ascott Limited boasts a real estate portfolio that stretches across 190 cities in 30 countries. The Regional General Manager of the MEAT portfolio commented that Ascott was "delighted" to introduce its brand to Morocco, and that the group hopes "to contribute to the country's growth in tourism."

The apartments will focus on serving international travellers and business executives, providing world-renowned residences. As part of its plan to make the best of its Moroccan venture, Ascott announced it would be partnering with Life Square and the Alaoui group.

The Citadines Racine property will include 123 high end units, including "80 chic studio units, 23 spacious one-bedroom units and 20 comfortable two-bedroom units." The property will also include a state of the art gym, lounge, and restaurant. Meanwhile, the Citadines Connect Belvedere property features 60 "boutique style" rooms, alongside a rooftop pool, a lounge, and cafe.

Citadines Racine is scheduled to open in the second quarter of 2022, while the Citadines Connect Belvedere property is slated to open its doors in 2023.

Ascott joins a list of several other international hospitality companies, including hotel giant Radisson, that announced plans this year to expand their hotel and rental properties in Morocco.

International travelers' growing interest in Morocco as a tourist destination has motivated these companies to expand to the North African country to take advantage of its burgeoning tourism industry, with considerable support from the Moroccan government.

Morocco to Build $12.5 Million Eco-Friendly Industrial Park in Fez-Meknes

Denver - Morocco's government has announced plans to build a new environmentally sustainable industrial park in the Fez-Meknes region, as part of a collaboration between the government and a number of business entities.

The initiative is part of an agreement between the Ministry of Industry, Trade, Green, and Digital Economy, and the regional council of Fez-Meknes, the Regional Investment Center (CRI), and the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Morocco (CFCIM).

According to the organizations involved in the project, the new industrial park will be the first in the country to be exclusively dedicated to clean industries.

Developers valued the new site at over $12.5 million, and are planning to include a wide range of features in their design. Dubbed the "Fez-Saiss Industrial Park," the project includes plans for 130 rental lots near the park. It will also include restaurants, hotels, exhibition areas, a wastewater treatment plant, and green spaces, according to the CRI.

Officials are lauding the new park as a source of large scale job creation for the Fez-Meknes region. The project's designs are also in line with government initiatives to encourage ecological sustainability and pollution reduction in Morocco's business sector. The Fez-Saiss park will be almost completely self-sufficient, reducing the overall cost for local authorities.

The park is also projected to include large-scale road systems, firefighting infrastructure, a drinking-water production system, electrical, telephone and internet systems, and even its own separate sewage lines.

Although Morocco produces a relatively small amount of global carbon emissions, the country has been adamant on pivoting towards even more sustainable practices to contribute to the global fight against climate change.

With the implementation of 2008 Morocco's Green Plan, the country has taken steps to ensure both businesses and government infrastructure are built in the most eco-friendly way possible. Additionally, the country announced its commitment to produce 52% of its energy consumption from renewable sources by 2030.

Wafa Life Insurance to Complete First Deal in Egypt

The Moroccan company reported in July it received approval to expand its operations to Egypt.

Denver - Wafa Life Insurance's Egypt division plans on formally starting business in the country by the end of 2021, the group has announced, saying the decision is the culmination of a series of negotiations with Egyptian authorities.

The company, which is a subsidiary of Wafa Assurance and part of the Attijariwafa bank group, announced in July that it had received official permission from the Egyptian government to begin business operations in the country.

During an interview with local media, chief executive of Wafa Life Egypt Abeer Saleh said the company expected to "seek the central bank and regulatory approvals on the agreement within the final quarter of the current year."

This announcement solidifies Wafa's operations across the African continent. In addition to its Egyptian subsidiary, Wafa also operates businesses in Senegal, the Ivory Coast, Cameroon, and Tunisia.

After its initial formation, Wafa Life Insurance Egypt was valued at approximately $9.5 million dollars, but that figure could easily grow depending on the company's success. Experts predict the African insurance market will see immense growth in the near future. Currently, North Africa represents the second most lucrative market on the continent, after South Africa

According to Saleh, after finalizing negotiation terms, the company plans on expanding its services to fifteen branches of a local major Egyptian bank. Wafa plans on providing life insurance services for customers, as well as insurance for the banking institutions and its employees.

In Egypt, Wafa Assurance plans on forming a mutually beneficial relationship with its subsidiary Wafa Life Insurance Egypt. In exchange for access to Wafa Assurance's state-of-the-art digital systems, the central company will use Egypt as a springboard to expand into other countries in the region with a significant amount of English-speaking clientele.