Morocco made 'important strides' to foster democracy and prosperity, PM
Morocco, Politics, 5/24/2005

Morocco has made "important strides" in fostering democracy, expanding rights and freedoms, upgrading the economy and dealing with social disparities despite the multiple national and international difficulties, said Monday the Moroccan premier.

Speaking before the House of Representatives (lower house), Driss Jettou hailed lowering the legal age of voting to 18, and the elaboration of the national list, which made of Morocco the first Arab country to account for 36 women in the parliament. He pointed out that a bill regulating the creation and the management of parties and the immunization of the political scene will soon be ratified.

Jettou also recalled the restructuring of the Advisory Council of Human Rights (CCDH), the creation of the Equity and Reconciliation Commission (IER) and the promulgation of the Family Code.

Touching on the issue of transportation, the Premier said the major achievement made in this field was the opening of the Moroccan sky to 11 new international airliners and a second airport services operator.

As for tourism, the Prime Minister said the government pursues the implementation of the "Vision 2010" strategy aiming chiefly to attract 10 million tourists by 2010.

Jettou pointed out that four out of the six seaside resorts scheduled in the Plan Azur have been sold to two large international groups with an investment of MAD 25b (1 MAD = 0.09 Euro) and an accommodation capacity of over 56,000 beds, which allowed, along with a number of other actions, for attracting some 5.5 million tourists and raising the income of the sector to MAD 34b in 2004.

Concerning investments, Jettou said foreign investments reached about MAD 14b in 2004, which earned the kingdom the first rank in the MENA region.

Some 107 projects have been approved by an inter-ministerial commission, with a value of MAD 31b that would generate some 25 thousand jobs, said the official.

Jettou also hailed the liberalization of the audiovisual sector, and the restructuring of the religious and judicial fields, as well as the improvement of security measures to reduce criminality and protect citizens.

Previous Stories:
  Morocco: mentor in gender equality in Arab Islamic world   (5/23/2005)
  Morocco deplores Algerian statements on Sahara issue, foreign ministry   (5/23/2005)
  Royal Initiative for Human Development unanimously praised by politicians   (5/19/2005)

Please add a link on your webiste pointing to ArabicNews.com and bookmark ArabicNews.com & subscribe to our daily email news bulletin.

Search