ODEP netted a $262 million in sales in 2003

The Moroccan "Office d'exploitation des ports" (ODEP) recorded in 2003 a turover totalling US $262 million (2.36 billion Dhs), which is a 1.7 percent rise compared to the previous year, ODEP director Mustapha Barroug said on Tuesday.

Most of the Office activities increased, said Barroug noting, however, that activities in boat services and fishing ports have declined, respectively, by 1.7 million Dhs, around $188.000 (-1.5 pc) and by 27 million DHS, about $3 million, (-56 pc).

Speaking before the finance and economic development commission of the House of Representatives, Barroug said the implementation rate of the 1.65 billion Dhs (around US $183 million) worth investment programme for 2003 has reached 76 pc, i.e. 808,7 million Dhs (about $89.8 million).

He added that during the past five years several important projects were built, including the Dakhla port, Southern Morocco, the Nador passenger port as well as the expansion of the Al Hoceima port and the reinforcement of the Tangier port quays.