Moroccan King Mohammed VI has urged lawmakers to “compete in serving the interests of citizens and the nation’s causes.”
Addressing the parliament on the occasion of the opening of the first session of the “fourth legislative year of the tenth legislature” on Friday, the monarch said the elite, mainly the parliament, the government and political parties, had the responsibility to provide the conditions for the success for a new development model.
“The new stage starts from now and requires everyone’s involvement,” he said.
The king spoke about “shouldering responsibilities” and “honoring commitments” towards the country and its people.
While the political elite does have a duty of serving the country, the involvement of the public sector is just as crucial, he said.
He called on banks to play a greater social role in promoting development.
Morocco's banking and financial sector should make it easier for young entrepreneurs and small and medium sized enterprises to access loans, he said.
The King also urged the government, Central Bank and commercial banks to develop a program for that purpose, and decried the "limited financial support" for graduates and for creating small and medium-sized enterprises.
