King Mohammed VI Visits Ouarzazate
As part of his tour in Moroccan central and southern regions, King Mohammed VI -accompanied by his brother Prince Moulay Rachid and his cousin prince Moulay Ismail- visited on Tuesday afternoon the southern city of Ouarzazate.
In this city which has served as shooting site for several international movies, the sovereign visited the Atlas Studios, launched lodgings construction projects, visited a university cell and dedicated the extension of the airport.
The Atlas studios, located 7 km from the city, was set up in 1983 by a private promoter. The studios, extending over 30 hectares, feature decorations, shooting locations and workshops to manufacture wood items, accessories, costumes, plaster, sculpture and painting. The site was made famous by the Nile Diamond of Lewis Teague, Kundun of Martin Scorcese, Cleopatra of Franck Roddam, The Gladiator of Ridley Scott, Asterix, Obelix and Cleopatra of Alain Chabat.
The sovereign them launched a project worth 60 million DH (US$ 5.45 million) for the construction of lodgings and economic and social facilities and dedicated a 3600 m2 mosque, named Mohammed VI mosque. It can accommodate up to 4,000 people and includes a solar energy water heating system.
In the locality of Tarmigt near Ourzazate, the king visited a 25ha-large project of a university cell to comprise two amphitheaters, sports facilities, a computer lab, and a library. The project requires a total amount of 40 million DH, including 30 million to construction and 10 million to equipment.
This Wednesday, the king was in the village of Tassousfi where he inquired about construction of a 47.5 km-long road. The project, that required an investment of 38 million DH (US$ 3.45 million), will help break the isolation of 15,000 inhabitants.
The sovereign also visited a series of projects for decentralized development, including a drinking water system, co-financed by France, small and medium irrigation systems and construction of rural roads. He also inquired about four projects carried out part of an integrated development program initiated by a local association. The program seeks the creation of income-generating projects for rural persons through the promotion of tourism and women training.
