Morocco\u2019s King Mohammed VI urged on Tuesday the government to elaborate a new generation of reforms to ensure equal development between the country\u2019s regions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt is not acceptable for Morocco \u2013 today or at any time in the future \u2013 to be a two-speed country,\u201d the king, who has final say over the country\u2019s strategic policies, said in an annual speech marking 26 years of his reign.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While the level of poverty has dropped in Morocco from 11.9 percent in 2014 to 6.8 percent in 2024, some inner regions show above-average poverty levels, according to the national statistics agency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Morocco has attracted industrial investments in sectors such as aerospace and car manufacturing, which now top its exports.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, most of the country\u2019s GDP, industry and critical infrastructure are concentrated in the northwestern areas, leaving the rest of Morocco dependent on farming, fisheries and tourism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSome regions \u2014 particularly in rural areas \u2014 are still suffering from poverty and vulnerability, due to a lack of infrastructure and basic facilities,\u201d the king said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The new reforms should aim at improving social services, education, health care and water management as well as promoting employment, he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Morocco created just 82,000 jobs last year, which falls short of reducing the country\u2019s high unemployment rate at 13.3 percent, according to the central bank.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In his speech, the king also reaffirmed Morocco\u2019s readiness for \u201ca frank, responsible, fraternal and sincere dialogue on the various issues pending\u201d with Algeria.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Algeria cut ties with Morocco in 2021, halted the flow of gas, banned Moroccan flights from crossing its airspace and imposed visas on Moroccans, after the kingdom resumed ties with Israel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The two most populous countries in the Maghreb are at loggerheads over the status of Western Sahara. Morocco considers the territory its own, while Algeria hosts and backs the Polisario Front, which seeks its own state there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The king also thanked the UK and Portugal, the most recent Western nations to back Morocco\u2019s autonomy plan for the territory.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Morocco\u2019s King Mohammed VI urged on Tuesday the government to elaborate a new generation of reforms to ensure equal development between the country\u2019s regions. \u201cIt…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2692,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[38,4,7],"tags":[39,40,41],"class_list":["post-2691","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-africa","category-international","category-mena","tag-king-mohammed-vi","tag-king-of-morocco","tag-morocco"],"yoast_head":"\n