Regional equity, next reform spurred by King Mohammed VI

While Morocco celebrates its status as an emerging nation,it still needs to elaborate “next generation” of reforms to ensure equal development across regions,with a particular attention to rural areas,King Mohammed VI said.

Achievements

Morocco,thanks to a forward-looking royal vision,has joined the ranks of “high human development” countries and reduced multidimensional poverty from 11.9% in 2014 to 6.8% in 2024,the King in the Throne Day speech.

“Despite successive years of drought and worsening international crises,the national economy has maintained a significant and steady growth rate in recent years,” the Monarch said.

Morocco’s “industrial renaissance” led to more than two-fold increase industrial exports since 2014,especially those relating to Morocco’s modern-day global occupations,he said.

Now,the automotive,aviation,renewable energy,food industries,and tourism sectors are “key levers underpinning our emerging economy in terms of both investment and job creation,” King Mohammed VI said.

Morocco as “an emerging country” has diversified its partners with an economy that is today linked to nearly 3 billion consumers,thanks to FTAs,the king recalled.

The Monarch also highlighted the Kingdom’s infrastructure push,citing the recent launch of the extension of the high-speed train line linking Kenitra and Marrakech.

“A number of other large-scale projects are also in progress in the fields of water and food security,as well as Morocco’s energy sovereignty,” he said.

 Next generation reforms 

The King made it clear that the economic development is only meaningful if it improves the living conditions of citizens from all social classes,and in all areas and regions.

While Morocco has unrolled social protection and direct aid to needy families,the results of 2024 census show regional changes that should be taken into account,he said.

“Sadly,however,some regions – particularly in rural areas – are still suffering from poverty and vulnerability,due to a lack of infrastructure and basic facilities,” he deplored.

To achieve inter-regional equity,“it is not acceptable for Morocco – today or at any time in the future – to be a two-speed country,” the King made it clear.

A quantum leap was needed to bridge disparities between regions via a shift favouring integrated development,he said.

“My goal is to make sure all citizens – in all areas and regions – benefit from the fruits of progress and development,without discrimination or exclusion,” he said.

To that end,the Sovereign instructed the government to “adopt next-generation local development programs based on making the most of local specificities.”

“I expect it to ensure that advanced regionalization is firmly rooted,and that the principle of integration and inter-regional solidarity is observed,” he said.

These reforms should promote employment by leveraging regional economic potential,consolidate basic social services,especially in the areas of education and healthcare and adopt proactive,sustainable water resource management measures,in addition to launching local,integrated rehabilitation projects,said the king.