King Mohammed takes moves to strengthen devolution process, promote free initiative

Morocco's King Mohammed VI renewed determination to strengthen the process of devolution, deconcentration and regionalization, dismantle all administrative obstacles, which stand on the way of free enterprise, and fight against all the hurdles that impede investment activities.

King Mohammed VI who delivered in Casablanca Wednesday a speech before handing over to the Prime Minister a Royal Letter concerning the issue of investment management devolution, said the letter ." carries a wide-range of messages signaling my determination to strengthen the process of devolution, deconcentration and regionalization, which I regard as the institutional backbone for Morocco," and "is also meant to embody the economic dimension of the concept of authority that I advocate, as it calls for the dismantling of all administrative obstacles, which stand on the way of free enterprise."

The sovereign who argued that free initiative is "the driving force to boost investment, generate wealth and solve the problem of unemployment," also renewed resolve to "wage a determined fight against all the hurdles that impede investment activities."

He explained further that the letter is "meant to streamline the administrative procedures set for investors." "Thus the investor will be dealing with one single official and interlocutor, reporting to one desk and filling out one single form, to set up his business or to develop his investments," the sovereign said.

King Mohammed VI urged the cabinet members to promote investments, mainly by devising a strategic vision, and setting priorities in all investment-related areas, and to foster "an investment-friendly environment, through the implementation of rational, streamlined, and investment-conducive reforms, within the judiciary, administrative and fiscal systems, and the social environment," and to "see to it that the content of the Royal Letter is carried out according to schedule and in a spirit of patriotic motivation." He likewise urged Walis (senior governors) and Governors, to discharge their mission in a spirit of citizenship, in compliance with the law and in coordination with the public authorities, with the elected bodies and with the economic operators.

After he reassured Moroccan entrepreneurs - especially the young-, and Morocco's foreign partners, that the chances of success for their investments in Morocco, "the land of freedom, democracy and stability," are guaranteed, King Mohammed VI pointed out that "the steps we are taking are meant to turn Morocco's economy into a productive, competitive one, and to build a modern society wherein consultations, contract-based relationships are instilled as a culture and as a standard practice."

The sovereign also warned against propensity to focus attention exclusively on the forthcoming elections, which, he said "should not distract us from our basic economic problems" and called on all business actors from the private sector to give a strong impetus to the battle being waged to boost investments.