King Mohammed winds up visit to Casablanca
Morocco, Politics, 10/13/1999

King Mohammed VI, currently on a tour of several Moroccan provinces, wound up Tuesday a two-day visit to Casablanca, Morocco's largest city and economic capital, where he addressed the nation in a speech to heads of regions, wilayas, prefectures and provinces and representatives of the people.

In his keynote address, aired in the evening from the royal palace, the king accompanied by Prince Moulay Rachid, insisted authorities' action should have as a sole objective the protection of rights and freedom and see to the completion of duties providing conditions necessary for the consolidation of the rule of law.

He went on to explain a new approach to authority, saying the concept ought to be based on the protection of public services, local affairs, individual and collective liberties, and the preservation of security and stability, management of local matters and securing social peace.

The king asked the government to hand him in a draft amended bill to adapt the communal regime to innovations of local life. He also called for a set of texts to enforce the law on regions to help the institution partake in development.

Dealing with economic issues, King Mohammed VI deplored wavering by the private investment "which is the cornerstone of economic takeoff" which is dominated by the "wait-and-see attitude and lack of boldness and creativity."

He announced the setting up of an experts committee under his chairmanship to ride a rational approach in identifying shortfalls, come up with easier procedures and remove all barriers standing in the way of smooth relations that ought to exist between investors and the administration.

The committee, he pointed out, would lower obstacles and open genuine investment opportunities for Moroccans and foreigners alike, especially in terms of small and medium enterprises.

The king later hosted a dinner reception attended by the prime minister, speakers of the Houses of Representatives and the Senate, advisers to the king.

Earlier in the day, the king, accompanied by Prince Moulay Rachid, visited the National Museum and the National Library in the Hassan II Grand Mosque Cultural Complex.

The royal party also visited the "Annassi" housing project, whose first phase will provide 6,000 flats and socio-educative facilities by the end of next year, 1,000 of which will be used to relocate inhabitants of shantytowns.

The large undertaking which is part of the national 200,000 low-cost housing Program is striving to build 20,000 flats within ten years.

Previous Stories:
  King Mohammed tours several regions of the kingdom   (10/11/1999)
  King Mohammed lashes out at administrative bureaucracy   (10/9/1999)
  King Mohammed receives Saudi Crown Prince   (10/2/1999)

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