Morocco - Country Information

Film Commissions

Moroccan Cinema Centre (CCM)
Tel: 28 92 00 Fax: 37 79 81 05/08
E-mail: ccm@menara.ma
Website: www.ccm.ma
Director General: Nour-Eddine Sail

Permits/visas
Shooting permits are granted free of charge by the Moroccan Cinematographic Center in less than one hour for short films, documentaries or commercials, and in less than 48 hours for feature films. For the shooting of feature films, it is preferable to seek the collaboration of a Moroccan production service company which is authorised by the Moroccan Cinematographic Center (list available from the Center).

Tax breaks/incentives
Film makers are entitled to 40-50% discount on Royal Air Maroc flights to Morocco and up to 40% at hotels.

General Information

Location: North Africa
Local Time: From 02 May 10 to 07 Aug 10 GMT +1
Capital City: Rabat
Population: 34.8 million
Area: 446,300 square km, 172,316 square miles.
Language(s): Arabic, Berber, French, Spanish, English
Dialling Code: 212
Emergency: Police: 19. Fire: 15. Ambulance: 777
Directory Enquiries:
TV Standard: SECAM
Driving: Driving is on the right. National licence. International Driving Permit or UK licence required
Electricity: 110/220V AC 50Hz

Business & Currency

Currency: Moroccan Dirham (MAD 1 = 100 Centimes)
Notes: MAD: 20, 50, 100, 200
Coins: MAD: 1, 2, 5, 10. Centimes: 5, 10, 20, 50

Credit Cards/Travellers Cheques: Credit cards and travellers cheques accepted

Opening Hours
Bank: 0815-1200 & 1415-1715 Mon-Thur, 0815-1130 & 1445-1715 Fri (winter), 0800-1500 (summer, subject to change)
Office: 0800-1600 Mon-Fri
Shops: 0930-1300 & 1500-1930 Mon-Sat

Public Holidays
2010
1 Jan New Year's Day, 11 Jan Manifesto of Independence, 26 Feb A�d al-Mawlid (Prophet's Birthday), 1 May Labour Day, 30 Jul Feast of the Throne, 14 Aug F�te Oued Eddahab (Oued Eddahab Allegiance Day), 20 Aug R�volution du Roi et du Peuple (Anniversary of the King and the People's Revolution), 21 Aug King Mohammed's Birthday, 10 Sep A�d al-Fitr (End of Ramadan), 6 Nov Marche Verte (Anniversary of the Green March), 16 Nov A�d al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice), 18 Nov F�te de l'Ind�pendance (Independence Day), 7 Dec Fatih Muharram (Muslim New Year).

Note: Dates may vary according to the lunar calendar

Business/Social Hints: Business is conducted in French but many executives speak English and some Spanish. Bargaining is a way of life and it is important to be patient. Care should be taken to respect Muslim and other religious conventions. Laws on alcohol are quite libertarian

Tipping: A service charge is normally added to all bills, however additional discretionary tips are customary

Health

Reciprocal health: None.

Compulsory vaccinations: None.

Recommended immunisations: Tetanus,�Hepatitis A.

Risks: Malaria: Very limited risk from May-Oct in certain rural areas of Chefchaouen Province.
Rabies.

Airports

Passport & Visa

The following details relate to holders of adult normal passports (requirements for children may be different), if any other type of passport or travel document is held, entry requirements should be checked with the relevant embassy or consulate

Passports

Required by all,

Passport Validity: Passports must be valid for at least 6 months from date of entry

Passport Notes: Passports must be stamped on arrival to allow the stay of up to 3 months

Visas

The following DO NOT require a visa:

1) Nationals of Morocco

2) For stays up to 3 months by:

a) Holders of British passports endorsed British Citizen or British National (Overseas)

b) Nationals of Algeria, Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Rep, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guinea, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland Rep, Italy, Japan, Korea (South), Kuwait, Latvia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Mali, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Niger, Norway, Oman, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tunisia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United States & Venezuela

3) For stays up to 30 days by nationals of Hong Kong (SAR passports), Hungary

Air Transit

Required by all except those as noted above and:

1) Persons continuing their journey to a third country by the same or first connecting aircraft on the same day without leaving the airport, provided holding confirmed onward tickets

Exit Permits

Special Notes

Visitors must hold sufficient funds for maintenance during their stay

Climate

The northern coast and interior mountains have a Mediterranean climate although the Atlantic coast is slightly cooler than the Mediterranean coast in winter. Inland in the High Atlas mountains the climate is influenced by altitude and winter snowfall can be heavy. Inland at lower levels summers are very hot although winter and spring days can be chilly. The Saharan region has typically hot summers and mild winters

Clothing

Lightweights for most of the year with warmer clothing for the evenings, winter on the coast and in the mountains. Rainwear is advisable in the wet season, particularly on the coast and in the mountains

Charts for Rabat

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Max Temp (C) 17 18 20 22 23 26 28 28 27 25 21 18 Min Temp (C) 8 8 9 11 13 16 17 18 17 14 13 9 Humidity am (%) 89 90 88 89 89 87 88 91 92 89 89 87 Humidity pm (%) 72 68 65 60 60 60 59 60 62 67 67 68 Rainfall (mm) 66 64 66 43 28 8 0 0 10 48 84 86

Temperature (C) Rainfall (mm) Humidity (%)

Representative

UK Tourist Office
Moroccan National Tourist Office
205 Regent Street
London, W1B 4HB
tel: +44 20 7581 5001/5004
fax: +44 20 7734 8172
e-mail: info@morocco-tourism.org.uk

Embassy
The Moroccan Consulate
49 Queen's Gate Gardens
London, SW7 5NE
tel: +44 20 7240 0624,
fax: +44 20 7225 3862
e-mail: mail@sifamaldn.org
website: www.visitmorocco.org
hours: 1000-1300 (Mon-Fri)