Daily Times

On this day 30 July, 2018, the Kingdom of Morocco celebrates with great fervor and enthusiasm th Enthronement of His Majesty King Mohammed VI. This big event constitutes each year, an opportunity for the people of Morocco to reaffirm loyalty and attachment to His Majesty the King, symbol of its unity and guarantor of the supreme interests of the nation. It also reflects the depth and the sustainability of allegiance that unites Moroccan people to the glorious Throne.

Fourteen years full of Achievements and Reforms and marked by multiple Royal initiatives in several areas, politic, social and economic, demonstrating the indefectible commitment of the Sovereign towards the well being, happiness and unity of his people and to guide the nation towards progress and prosperity.

Here are some of the most relevant projects:

On political level, let’s underline that the new Constitution adopted by referendum on July 1, 2011 while devoting the attachment to the immutable constants of the Moroccan nation consolidates and devotes the attributes and the mechanisms induced by the parliamentary nature of the Moroccan political regime.

It thus constitutes a real charter of rights and freedoms, provides for good governance and advanced regionalization, and enshrines the emergence of Executive Power emanating from the parliamentary majority and a bicameral legislature with enhancing powers and extended skills.

The Constitution guarantees for the first time, the implementation of the Amazigh as an official language of the Kingdom, at the side of the Arabic language. It reinforces political pluralism by strengthening the role of the opposition in parliament, equality between men and women and the principle of separation of powers with the consecration of the independence of the judiciary.

On the social level, the family Code constitutes an important event in the history of the family legislation. It came into effect on February 5, 2004 and it is based on the values of justice, equality, and dignity for all family members, as well as on improving the legal status of women and children.

One of the main social projects is the National human development Initiative (NHDI), an innovative community development program in Morocco to reduce poverty, the social exclusion and precariousness. Since its launch by His Majesty the King in 2005, some 29 000 created projects have benefited about 7 million people.

Another pillar of human and social development is the Medical Assistance Regime (RAMED) advocated by His Majesty the King, and based on the principles of social assistance of the national solidarity for the benefit of the poor. It allows those who are economically destitute to receive medical coverage database.

— In the economic area, the Kingdom of Morocco has a strategic geographical location, with a double coast line , around 3400 km, on the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean, close to Europe, one of the world largest consumer markets and being the gateway to Africa, with an industrial Hub Port “Tangier-Med” shape and integrated logistics network in world trade, with huge capacity of containers, with many sectorial development plans including the renewable energy program. The part of electric power produced by renewable energy (solar, wind and hydro) will represent 42% of total electric installed capacity by the year 2020.

With respect to another vital sector namely the tourism, the government strategy called Vision 2020 based on tourism regionalization, quality and sustainable development aim at the objective to make Morocco a top 20 tourist destination by doubling the accommodation capacity, in order to reach 20 million tourists. This strategy is based on fundamental values of authenticity, quality and diversity. Morocco will emerge six new destinations, defined around the cultural, the beach and nature.

These are some relevant examples of major works and projects undertaken by this great country in a favorable business climate, thanks to the attractiveness of its investment regulations, the different free trade agreements with European Union, USA, Tunisia, Egypt, Jordan, and Turkey, its world class infrastructure, roads, motorways, railroads and airports.

All these assets encourage economic partnerships with countries like the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, a brotherly nation.

Morocco and Pakistan enjoy very close and brotherly relations based on mutual esteem and respect. They share the same values in terms of religion, history and culture and have a long tradition of cooperation and coordination at various regional and International forums and institutions like the United Nations, the Islamic Cooperation Organization, Non-aligned movement.

However, on the economic level, both sides recognize that the present volume of bilateral trade (about $ 400 million) is far below its potential, and need to be diversifying (Moroccan phosphates and Pakistani textiles). Our two countries have expressed many times their desire to take the appropriate measures to increase trade and promote investment and partnership.

It goes without saying that under the dynamic leadership of HE Mohammad Kormoune the Moroccan Embassy will make its utmost effort to contribute to the further strengthening and development of the excellent existing ties of friendship and cooperation in diverse fields.

Published in Daily Times, July 30^th 2018.