HM King Mohammed VI launched on Monday in Casablanca the construction works of the pleasure port Marina de Casablanca (Marina of Casablanca) and presided the signing ceremony of three conventions related to the programme of the regional tourism development of Casablanca.
The Sovereign was briefed on the programme of developing tourism in Casablanca by the Minister of Tourism, Handicraft and Social Economy, Adil Douiri.
The programme is part of the Plan Mada'in aiming to develop the potentials of Casablanca as a tourist and business destination. This is also part of the Kingdom "Vision 2010" tourism policy that seeks particularly the development of a diversified hotel offer of high quality, the rehabilitation of the cultural soul of Casablanca, the setting up of infrastructures and equipment of congresses and exhibitions, and the improvement of the urban quality of the city.
This ambitious programme will allow the construction of 10,000 supplementary beds and create 30,000 jobs on the horizon of 2012.
The King was also briefed on the project of Marina de Casablanca presented by the Director General of the Caisse de Dpot et de Gestion (CDG) Mustapha Bakkoury. It extends over approximately 24 ha and has been allocated a budget of MAD 5 billion, 1.5 of which will be financed by the State. The project is expected to end on the horizon of 2012.
The project aims to construct hotel units, offices, houses, commercial and leisure facilities. In relation to the geographic position of the project, the port will include a vital tourist pole offering various services that will contribute to the upgrading of the neighbouring environment that comprises particularly the Casablanca port and the ancient medina.
The Monarch presided over the signing ceremony of three conventions related to the programme of the regional tourism development of the economic capital.
The first convention concerns the programme of developing the city as a toirist and business destination at a budget of approximately MAD 8 billion. It is also centred on reinforcing the means of the Regional Council of Tourism of Casablanca (CRT).
The second concerns the Marina de Casablanca, and the third pertains to the projects accompanying the Marina project, which aims at improving the architectural quality of the city, upgrading the Royal Armed Forces Avenue, reinforcing regional reforestation and developing a green belt round the city.
On his arrival, the King was greeted by a detachment of the Royal Guards. He was also greeted by the Moroccan Prime Minister, the Minister of the Interior, the Minister of Finances and Privatization, the Minister of Culture, the Minister of Equipment and Transports, the Minister of Tourism, Handicraft and Social Economy, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Economy Upgrading, the Minister Delegate in charge of the Administration of the National Defense, and the Wali of the Grand Casablanca region.
© Morocco Times 2006
