Morocco’s King underscores human, economic significance of Atlantic coast

Morocco’s King Mohammed VI urged an upgrade of Morocco’s Atlantic coast, highlighting its role in terms of human interaction and economic integration at the continental and international levels.

“Just as the Mediterranean links Morocco to Europe, the Atlantic coast is our gateway to Africa and the Americas,” said the King in a speech marking the 48th anniversary of the Green March.

The King stressed the need to re-engineer the Atlantic geopolitical space at the African level, including the Moroccan Sahara coast.

“My goal is to transform the Atlantic region into a space for human interaction and economic integration, and to make sure it plays a key role at continental and international levels,” he said.

In this respect, the Monarch urged the completion of major projects launched in the southern provinces, including the human and economic development projects.

Morocco’s Atlantic coastline is poised to connect different countries bordering the Atlantic through means of transportation and logistics platforms, said the King, who urged “the development of a strong, competitive national commercial marine fleet.”

Hence the need for developing a maritime economy that contributes to prosperity in the region and serves its inhabitants, he added.

The King stressed the need for an integrated economy based on the development of exploration for offshore natural resources and the promotion of investment in marine fishing, in addition to seawater desalination to encourage agricultural activities, promote the blue economy and support the renewable energy agenda.

He also urged the adoption of a strategy for the promotion of tourism in the Atlantic region by “making good use of the many assets available there to turn it into a prime destination for beach and Saharan tourism.”