On October 23, 2018, Moulay Hafid Elalamy (photo), the Moroccan minister of industry, trade, investment, and digital economy announced that the investments commission has approved 68 projects and amendments to investments agreements for a total amount of MAD57.65 billion ($6.07 billion).

According to the official, those 68 projects that could create 9,266 direct jobs were approved following two meetings of this commission. During the first meeting held on January 10, 48 projects were approved and 20 others in addition during the second meeting of last October 23 held under the presidency of  Saad Eddine El Othmani, the prime minister.

37% of the projects approved by the commision were in the industrial sector with MAD21.55 billion (about $2.27 billion). Next comes the transport sector with 18% and MAD10.91 billion (about $1.15 billion). 13% of the projects have also been devoted to the energy and renewable energies sectors with MAD7.79 billion of investments ($820.79 million) and finally, 10% is devoted to the tourism and leisure industry with MAD5.98 billion ($630.08 million).

As far as job creation is concerned, "the tourism and leisure sectors are the main providers of the jobs estimated in the projects approved by the commission in 2018", Moulay Hafid Elalamy indicated. He further explained that those two sectors could create 2,850 jobs each representing 30% for each sector.

"The fishery and agribusiness industries should create 2,038 jobs (22%) while the telecommunications sector would create 607 (6%)", he added.

Let’s remind that in 2017, the investment committee approved 51 projects and amendments to investments agreements amounting to a total of MAD67 billion ($7 billion). These projects should create 6,477 direct jobs.