HM the King launches construction works of Casablanca tramway platform, worth 6.4 bln dirhams

Casablanca - HM King Mohammed VI launched, on Tuesday in Casablanca, the construction works of the platform of the city's tramway, with a total cost amounting to 6.4 billion dirhams.

-The project aims to develop the transport network, preserve the environment and promote economic development in the region.
-The Sovereign inquires about the construction of the 30 Km long first tramway line, with a daily capacity of 250,000 passengers.
     On this occasion, the Sovereign inquired about the construction of the 30 Km long first tramway line, which crosses the main neighborhoods of the city.

    This project is meant to develop the transport network in Casablanca through ensuring complimentarity between the bus and taxi networks. It is also designed to preserve the environment by reducing pollution and noise.

    The project aims to contribute to economic development in the region through generating direct and indirect job opportunities. 

    Of the total budget, 1.9 billion dirhams were earmarked to the purchase of the rolling stock and 500 million dirhams to surveys and works follow-up, while 2.3 billion dirhams were allocated to the platform construction, 400 million dirhams to network deviation works and 300 million dirhams to the setting up of a tramway maintenance center.

    The rolling stock of the tramway comprises 37 trainsets of 64 meters, with a capacity of 560 passengers each. The maintenance center will be built over 7 hectares in the Sidi Moumen neighborhood.   

     The first tram line, to be opened in December 2012, will benefit 250,000 commuters daily, with a 4 min frequency per hour and will operate from 6 am to midnight.
 

HM the King receives official delegation heading to Holy Shrines to perform pilgrimage

Casablanca - HM King Mohammed VI, Commander of the Faithful, received, on Tuesday at the Royal palace in Casablanca, members of the official delegation heading to the Holy Shrines of Islam to perform Haj (pilgrimage).

    The delegation, which is led by Foreign Trade Minister Abdellatif Maazouz, is composed of chairman of the constitutional Council Mohamed Acherki, Ambassador and consular and social affairs director at the Foreign ministry M'Hamed Ali, governor of the province Taza Abdelghani Sebbar, chairman of Chamber at the Supreme Court and Director of Civil Affairs at the Justice Ministry and commander of the Royal Armed Forces’ 11th battalion of the first regiment of paratroopers Colonel Abdeslam Lamrini.        

    The audience was attended by Minister of Endowments and Islamic Affairs Ahmed Toufiq.

 HM King Mohammed VI addresses a message to Moroccan pilgrims

Rabat - HM King Mohammed VI, Commander of the Faithful, on Monday addressed a message to Moroccan pilgrims going to Saudi Arabia to perform the fifth pillar of Islam, pilgrimage.

     In this message, the Sovereign called on the Moroccan pilgrims to be "worthy ambassadors" of their country, and to respect common requirements.
    "Be what your predecessors and your ancestors have always been, worthy ambassadors of your country, respectful of common requirements, firmly attached to the middle way and moderation," the Monarch said in the message, read out by Minister of Islamic Affairs, Ahmed Toufiq, to the first batch of pilgrims at the Rabat-Salé airport.
    "Remember that in performing your religious duties among crowds of pilgrims, it is your responsibility to show patience, restraint and endurance. You must avoid anything that is likely to undermine the sacredness of that duty," HM the King noted.
   He also underlined that the pilgrims will benefit from sufficient supervision and guidance at the religious, medical, administrative levels from the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, calling on the latter to provide comfort and ensure the security of all Moroccan pilgrims.

HM the King chairs Ministers' Council

HM King Mohammed VI, chaired, on Saturday at the Royal Palace of Rabat, the Council of Ministers, during which the 2011 appropriation bill was examined and adopted along with several draft laws, decrees and international agreements.

 At the onset of the Council, Economy and Finance Minister presented the broad lines of the appropriation bill and the national and international context in which it was drafted, underlining that the government continues to implement the High Royal directives regarding the fundamental choices which proved their pertinence in preserving financial stability and protecting the national economy.
    The Minister went on to say that the current appropriation bill aims to preserve the macro-economic balances, protect Morocco’s financial and economic achievements, contribute to the success of structural reforms and promote the Kingdom’s competitiveness and attractiveness in the after-crisis world.
    The draft law is also meant to promote the Moroccan development model, outlined by HM the King in the Speech of the Throne, through boosting public investments and mobilizing the required financial resources to bolster sectoral strategies.
    The draft also seeks to improve the business climate, mobilize savings, promote small and medium enterprises, integrate persons working in the informal sector in the organised economic fabric, reinforce solidarity and promote human development, employment, social housing, assistance for the underpriviliged categories, and boost development in the rural areas.
     Following the adoption of the appropriation bill, the Ministers’ Council approved the draft law relating to the status of “Casablanca Finance City”, which was set up upon high Royal instructions.
    The project aims at reinforcing the economic capacities of Casablanca with a view of making of it a key regional and international financial hub and promoting the kingdom’s attractiveness in terms of investments and competitiveness.
    To reinforce free zones and promote enterprises, the Council approved several texts on the setting up of two free zones for exports in Kenitra and Nouaceur, the review of the legal framework governing companies and the creation of a national committee for business climate, adds the release.
    HM the King also approved two decree drafts aiming to reorganize the administrative boundaries in the Kingdom in order to reinforce development at the local and regional levels, improve territorial administration, and promote good governance.
    In accordance with the Royal willingness to develop efficient means of familial solidarity and social cohesion, and make sure the provisions of the family code are implemented optimally, the council adopted a draft law laying down the terms and conditions of benefiting from family assistance funds.
    HM the King approved, during the Council, several legal texts and regulations, in addition to a number of international, bilateral and multilateral agreements.

HM the King chairs opening ceremony of Third Horse Fair in EL Jadida

El Jadida - HM King Mohammed VI, accompanied by Prince Moulay Rachid and Prince Moulay Ismail, presided, on Monday, over the opening ceremony of the Third Horse Fair of El Jadida (190km south of Rabat).

- The fair is meant to highlight Morocco's equestrian heritage and develop the jobs relating to it.

- Over 250,000 people are expected to visit the event, which hosts 80 exhibitors and 700 Horses.

- New Exhibition Park to be built at a total cost of 390 million dirhams ($ 48 mln).

    On this occasion, the Sovereign visited the different stands of the Fair, which runs until October 24 under the theme the barb horse in Morocco and the world.

    Explanations were provided to the Sovereign on the new exhibition park worth 390 million dirhams. With a capacity to accommodate 600 horses, the future park will include exhibition spaces, reception facilities, a children's village and administrative offices.

    HM the King attended a show of equestrian art, in addition to various exhibitions of the Moroccan Fantasia (Tbourida) and a show made by a regiment of the cavalry of the French Republican Guard.

    Over 80 exhibitors take part in the Fair which exhibits 700 horses from different breeds including the Barb, Arab, and English.

    Representatives from no less than twenty countries are participating in the event, notably from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Tunisia, Belgium and Hungry in addition to France, the honorary guest of the fair.

    The Fair, which is expected to attract over 250,000 visitors, features Tbourida shows, various exhibitions and show jumping competition.

    The Horse Fair Association, organizer of this prestigious event, is endeavoring to establish the channels of communication and cooperation with government institutions, private sector, civil society and similar fairs in Morocco and abroad, encourage any activity for the promotion of horse for the socioeconomic development of rural areas and highlight the equestrian heritage and traditions of the Kingdom.

    On this occasion, the Sovereign was greeted by several personalities from the world of horses.