Only 1% of Moroccans connected to internet, official

Only 1% of Moroccans are connected to Internet, unlike the mobile phone penetration which noticed a boom thanks to the sector liberalization and competition, said Morocco's secretary of state for post and telecommunication technologies, Nasr Hajji.

The official told a meeting held by the Rabat local association "Ribat Al fath" Internet is not yet a popular phenomenon in Morocco compared to the rate of connections in other countries (52% in the USA, 32% in Britain, 14% in Spain, 4% in Brazil and the United Arab Emirates).

For justice minister, Omar Azziman, the Internet which transcends borders needs a new legal framework and revision of some existing laws.

Minister of social economy, small and medium enterprises and handicraft, Ahmed Lahlimi, said the government which endeavors to make of Internet a new tool to get administration closer to citizens is resolved to develop E-commerce. He cited, in this context, the creation of an e-commerce platform for handicraft, agriculture and fisheries cooperatives. He also said a new "administration on line" program is being developed to enable citizens and enterprises get on line information on administrative procedures, consult laws and carry out various administrative formalities.

He cautioned that internet usage should meet requirements of a legitimate freedom of users, protection of consumers basic rights, protection against illegal contents, respect of private life and safety of e-commerce transactions.