Government council approves Oct. 31 as national holiday, adopts telecom and industry measures

Morocco’s Cabinet on Thursday approved two draft decrees designating Oct. 31 as an official national holiday, to be known as Unity Day, in implementation of a royal decision, according to a government statement.

The Cabinet meeting was chaired by Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch.

The first decree amends regulations governing paid public holidays in agricultural and non-agricultural sectors, while the second updates the list of holidays observed by public administrations, state institutions and concessionary services. Government officials said the move reflects the national significance of Unity Day, which symbolizes Morocco’s national and territorial unity and marks a key turning point in the country’s national cause.

During the same session, the government approved a draft law on the accreditation of conformity assessment bodies, presented by the minister of industry and trade. The legislation establishes a national framework for accreditation and creates the Moroccan Institute for the Accreditation of Conformity Assessment Bodies, aiming to align Morocco with international standards.

Officials said the measure is expected to enhance the competitiveness of the Moroccan economy, lower costs for businesses seeking certification, and secure international recognition of test reports and conformity certificates for Moroccan exports.

The Cabinet also approved nine draft decrees renewing licenses for companies providing satellite communications services, following favorable opinions from the National Telecommunications Regulatory Agency. The renewals cover services using VSAT, GMPCS and shared radio frequency technologies and involve several national and international operators, including Maroc Telecom, Wana Corporate, Thuraya Maghreb and Orbcomm Maghreb.

In addition, ministers reviewed an air services agreement between Morocco and Benin, signed in Montreal on Sept. 30, 2025, along with a draft law approving the agreement.

The meeting concluded with the approval of several senior government appointments in line with Article 92 of the Constitution. Among them, Adel Baja was named director of competition, pricing and compensation at the Ministry of Economy and Finance.

In the education sector, Hassan Khouya was appointed director of the Center for Educational Guidance and Planning, while Nadia Boudad was named inspector general for educational affairs. Noureddine El Halloui was appointed secretary-general of the Ministry of Higher Education, Scientific Research and Innovation, and Jamal Zahi was named dean of the Faculty of Economics and Management in Settat.

The Cabinet also appointed Bouzekri Razi as secretary-general of the Ministry of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development, and Hanan Baghdad as director of water research and planning at the Ministry of Equipment and Water.