ABDESLAM AHIZOUNE President of Maroc Telecom

rivatized in 1998, Maroc Telecom is now the biggest private company in the country and has the highest market capitalization, offering a variety of services for landlines, cellphones and internet

The leading Moroccan operator with nearly 67 percent of the market share, Maroc Telecom is the largest telecommunications company in Morocco. It holds a dominant grip on the domestic market and has ambitious plans for international expansion. In addition to maintaining close contact with customers and offering its services through 41,000 retail outlets, the company is also heavily involved in environmental and social projects through its contribution to sustainable development. Here, Abdeslem Ahizoune, President of Maroc Telecom, comments on the success of company’s core values and the vibrancy of doing business in Morocco today.

How would you describe the business environment in Morocco?
We are lucky to live in a country with an ideal natural climate and open-minded, tolerant, hospitable citizens. This hospitality and the ancestral tradition of trade that pervades Moroccan culture means we are very open. The free trade agreements we have signed with the EU, the United States and other countries in the Middle East have assisted in the modernization of the framework of economic incentives in Morocco. Today Morocco is one of the best countries in Africa for investment.

Maroc Telecom has been cited as a prime example of successful privatization. What have been the key factors of this achievement?
Maroc Telecom has a great history and tradition within the telecommunication trade. Our clear regulatory framework and transparency give investors confidence and the fact that there is a market here with great potential and perennial growth are the key factors in the success of this privatization.

What are the competitive advantages of Maroc Telecom?
I believe it is up to our customers to state it, but we are innovating every week. We offer a quality service, an excellent network, and we constantly meet the expectations of our customers. We also anticipate the future needs of our customers and are then able to put innovative services onto the market.

Consolidated operating income for Maroc Telecom in the first half of 2007 showed a rise of 33.6 percent and the company also announced a 19.5 percent increase in sales turnover.

You were the first operator in the country to launch ADSL television and you are now introducing 3G. What innovations are coming up in the near future?
ADSL has been a big success. TV via ADSL, which we have been distributing since June 2006, is one of its applications. The 3G service we are developing will include content such as video, television and visiophony.

You are actively engaged in the king’s human development programs. What does your involvement entail?
Our commitment is total and covers all areas that touch the social sector. We contribute by promoting culture, sports and employment, as well as working in environmental protection.
We sponsor students from underprivileged backgrounds and provide finance to small businesses. In addition we sponsor national sports, such as football, athletics, golf and horse riding.
With regards to the environment, we clean the beaches and the parks and regenerate urban areas, such as with the construction of the Arsat Moulay Abdeslam Cyber Park in Marrakech. It was completely abandoned and with the sponsorship of Princess Lala Hasna we created a new park with free internet access.
We also organize the Maroc Telecom Tour, in which we arrange parties and concerts on the beach. We like to bring a little festive air to Moroccans.