State of the Union: Throne Day Speech Acknowledged Rapid Transformation and Stubborn Challenges
The king's memorable words mirror those of an American president, Lyndon B. Johnson, as he addressed the urban-rural disparity challenges of 1960s America in his 1965 State of the Union address before Congress: 'We can help insure continued prosperity through a regional recovery program to assist the development of stricken areas left behind by our national progress …'
The transformation has been impressive. In 1999, Morocco possessed a modest $46 billion economy that was perhaps best known for tourism, tangerines and textiles. Of the total population of 28 million, about forty-five percent were under 20. In 1999, half of all households were rural and in-home electricity was still new to remote mountain villages.
Fast forward one generation. Between 1998 and 2023, UN data shows average life expectancy in Morocco increased by nine years, to seventy-five. Income per capita doubled in inflation-adjusted terms. Primary and secondary school enrollment almost doubled.
Over the past decade, Morocco's aeronautical exports more than tripled, from MAD 7.7 billion ($769 million) to MAD 26.44 billion. The nation has become an agricultural export powerhouse while the 2030 FIFA World Cup to be held jointly by Morocco, Spain and Portugal is a testament to infrastructure and planning.
Last fall, the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace noted the breadth of Morocco's development: 'By leveraging world-class infrastructure such as the Tanger Med port, the kingdom has successfully inserted itself into global value chains and made the best of this insertion by attracting foreign direct investments (FDIs) and building an export-driven industry.'
Old & New Challenges
Though the past quarter century has provided breathtaking change, the king's speech was a call to the nation's institutions—from national ministries to rural civil society associations—to engage in efforts that genuinely improve the lives of all Moroccans. A genuine challenge given stubborn inflation for many consumer basics like flour and meat/poultry.
Yes, the Al Boraq high-speed train represents the fast-moving service economy in Morocco. But the train speeds by rural villages struggling with drought and an exodus of young talent headed for coastal cities. Rural social services are often stretched thin, accompanied by an aging population.
The Casablanca-Settat region (about the size of Clark County, Nevada) accounts for nearly one-third of the nation's total GDP.
The king's speech outlined three broad policy areas: reaffirming the nation's economic development model, enhancing broader territorial development, and championing a national diplomacy rooted in regional cooperation and engagement.
Mohammed VI's speech alternated between measured analysis of impressive progress and somber acknowledgement of stubborn challenges that remain. The king vowed never to be satisfied, regardless of the level of economic development and infrastructure, 'if it does not contribute tangibly to improving citizens' living conditions from all social categories and in all regions and areas without discrimination or exclusion.'
The king's speech has now led to a recalibration of the national development agenda as it relates to territorial development equity. The focus: job creation and promoting entrepreneurship, strengthening basic social services, sustainable water resource management, and integrated territorial development projects. Balancing regional assets with national coherence.
One generation into a new era for Morocco, a cross-sector domestic development endeavor not unlike those pursued by numerous American presidents is underway. A Throne Day Speech, like the State of the Union adress, is an opportunity to evaluate genuine progress, celebrate hard-won successes and calibrate program specifics. Tags: King Mohammed VIMoroccospeechThrone Day
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Morocco World
6 hours ago
- Morocco World
Chinese Auto Supplier Kuntai to Invest $13.7 Million in Moroccan Factory
Marrakech – Chinese automotive interior materials manufacturer Kuntai has announced plans to establish a production facility in Morocco through its subsidiary Kuntai Hongjing Co Ltd. The project represents a total investment of 100 million RMB (approximately $13.7 million or MAD 126.5 million) and will focus on manufacturing car floor mats and carpets for vehicles. The new Moroccan facility will integrate research and development, production, and sales operations for automotive floor mats. The company will also develop a service network in Europe to meet regional customer needs. This strategic move aims to strengthen Kuntai's international development strategy and reinforce its presence in the European market. The project will be implemented in phases, with deployment depending on market evolution and operational progress. It will be financed through the company's own funds without significant debt. The Moroccan factory follows Kuntai's international expansion roadmap, which already includes a production site in Mexico established in 2024 that serves the North American market. Kuntai specializes in tufted and non-woven carpets for the automotive industry. The company supplies Chinese manufacturers like BYD, Xiaomi Auto, Li Auto, and NIO, as well as European (Audi, Volvo, Land Rover, BMW), Japanese (Toyota, Honda, Mazda, Nissan), and American (General Motors, Tesla) automakers. Its product range includes floor mats, wheel covers, spare wheel covers, engine protection plates, and seat back covers. In the first quarter of 2025, Kuntai recorded revenue of $178.6 million and a net profit of $900,000. The Moroccan investment represents less than one quarter of its revenue but constitutes a strategic development axis targeting the European market. Morocco's geographic proximity to European markets like France and Spain, combined with free trade agreements with the European Union, provides far-reaching advantages. Products exported from Morocco benefit from duty-free access, which Kuntai notes 'significantly reduces arrival costs and neutralizes the effects of anti-dumping measures.' Maritime transport from Morocco reduces shipping distance to Europe by 80% compared to exports from China and cuts logistics costs by more than 60%, according to internal data cited in the company's announcement. Additionally, Morocco's lower labor costs compared to European countries contribute to product competitiveness, while the local regulatory framework offers incentives for foreign investors. According to Kuntai's 2024 annual report, international sales represented only 10.95% of revenue, with the Chinese domestic market accounting for 89.05%. The Moroccan facility will help rebalance production between China, Mexico, and Morocco, with each covering a major geographic region of the automotive market. The global automotive carpet market is valued between $166 billion and $189 billion. North America represents approximately $41 billion of this market, while Europe accounts for about $24 billion. Kuntai aims to capture a share of these markets through its two new factories. The company also reports expected profitability improvements, stating that the export gross margin rate reaches 35.05%, compared to 25.55% in the domestic market. Kuntai anticipates that Moroccan production will significantly improve the group's overall profitability while enhancing delivery times and product diversity. Read also: Stellantis Strengthens Presence in Morocco with €1.2 Billion Project Tags: chinese investments in MoroccoMorocco's automotive sector
Ya Biladi
7 hours ago
- Ya Biladi
Mufti of Al-Quds : Aid from King Mohammed VI is a tangible act of solidarity with Gaza
On the directive of King Mohammed VI, president of the Al-Quds Committee, Morocco has dispatched urgent humanitarian and medical aid to the Palestinian people, with a focus on Gaza's residents. This tangible support aims to alleviate the hardships faced by those living «under difficult conditions and blockade», according to the Mufti of Al-Quds and Palestine, Sheikh Muhammad Hussein. In a statement to MAP, the Mufti highlighted that this generous gesture exemplifies Morocco's active solidarity with the Palestinian people during these challenging times. Sheikh Muhammad Hussein further remarked that this initiative underscores Morocco's steadfast commitment to bolstering the resilience of the Palestinians. It also reinforces the kingdom's stance as a champion of just causes in the Arab world, with the Palestinian issue at the forefront, he added. The sovereign had instructed the dispatch of urgent humanitarian and medical aid to the brotherly Palestinian people, especially those in the Gaza Strip. The aid, totaling nearly 180 tons, includes essential foodstuffs, milk, and products specifically for children, along with medicines and surgical equipment for the most vulnerable populations.
Morocco World
10 hours ago
- Morocco World
Algerian Regime's Online Trolls Caught Faking US Statement to Undermine Morocco-US Ties
Rabat – Algerian regime mouthpieces are again resorting to social media to fuel their Morocco-bashing campaigns. Unsurprisingly, this time Algeria's regime online trolls revived their fraud and disinformation machine, especially after US President Donald Trump's recent strong-worded statement reaffirming support for Morocco's territorial integrity and sovereignty over its southern provinces in Western Sahara. The Algerian regime's fraud machine went so far as to fabricate official statements from the US State Department and the White House. In the past few days, Algeria's regime mouthpieces on social media fabricated a statement from the US State Department, inventing a fake name to claim that the message received by King Mohammed VI from Trump was allegedly false. Algeria's online trolls, however, failed to forge the document, leaving behind glaring typos and inconsistencies that no State Department release would contain. Looking closer at the forged document, the fake release reveals serious errors, with a forged signature as well as blatant linguistic errors like 'Amrica' instead of America.' The errors took minimal fact-checking, which was swiftly carried out by Moroccan social media, which caught Algeria's mouthpieces red-handed. The recent situation marks a pattern of disinformation tactics that the Algerian regime uses in an attempt to undermine Morocco's interests, especially as Rabat continues to gain momentum in the Sahara dossier. Over 115 countries are on a growing list that explicitly support Morocco's Autonomy Plan as a serious and credible political solution, or the only or most political framework able to end the dispute over Western Sahara. This momentum leaves Algeria's regime lobbying attempts and advocacy for separatism and Polisario's 'self-determination' narrative isolated within the international community. This is not the first time that Algeria's regime fabricated a release from the US State Department. In July, the Algerian presidency, Algeria's regime mouthpiece press, as well as the state media, fabricated a letter from Trump. Algeria's affiliated media claimed the US president had praised a 'lasting' partnership and expressed hope for flourishing ties between the two countries. However, some critics exposed the regime's attempt, noting that Trump has indeed sent a letter to Tebboune. Unlike the claims reported by Algeria's regime, the letter sought to inform Tebboune about the 30% tariffs on Algeria. The Algerian latest disinformation attempts come as the regime continues to turn a deaf ear to a direct opportunity to end tensions with Morocco. In his speech on Throne Day on Tuesday, King Mohammed VI reiterated Rabat's readiness to open a bridge of dialogue and discussion, stressing the importance of good neighborly relations to address regional challenges. Yet, as on many occasions, Algeria's regime responded with silence. However, many regional and international officials emphasized the significance of the King's appeal. Tags: Algeria and Moroccorelations between the US and Morocco
