India, Morocco sign cooperation agreements
Morocco-India, Politics, 2/23/2000

India and Morocco Tuesday signed three cooperation agreements in energy and mines, communications and transport and decided to give a new impetus to bilateral ties.

The agreements were signed in the presence of visiting Moroccan Prime Minister Abderrahmane Youssoufi and Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

India is Morocco's third client and 30th supplier. Morocco recorded in 1997 its best external trade surplus with India ($332 million).

Phosphates and byproducts dominate Morocco's exports to India.

Youssoufi stressed Morocco's keen interest to promote and diversify cooperation ties with India. He stated that these ties were given a strong boost during the few past years.

India is now among Morocco's major and strategic economic partners not only in Asia but in the world at large. He added that Rabat and New Delhi intend to intensify efforts to enhance south-south dialogue and cooperation.

The Indian officials, who met Youssoufi on Tuesday, voiced the same determination to consolidate bilateral relations.

Youssoufi's visit helped identify new cooperation fields, especially in information technologies, pharmaceutical industry, energy, transport, micro and small businesses, scientific research and tourism.

These new realms are seen as an opportunity for the private sector and as a major engine for the promotion of bilateral cooperation.

In this connection, Morocco and India convened to set up shortly a business council, meant to provide an adequate frame to explore partnership opportunities for the two countries' private operators.

Youssoufi voiced hope that the council will come to being as soon as possible.

Youssoufi, who started Monday his four-day official visit, was earlier accorded a ceremonial reception at the Presidential Palace.

He was also received by Indian President K. R. Narayanan and conferred with Vice President Krishan Kant, External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh, Chemicals and Fertilizers Minister Suresh Prabhu and Congress President Sonia Gandhi, who is also leader of the Congress Party, the largest opposition organization in India.

Previous Stories:
  Moroccan premier arrives in New Delhi   (2/22/2000)
  Moroccan premier starts visit to India   (2/21/2000)
  Visit to India has special importance, Youssoufi   (2/18/2000)

Please add a link on your webiste pointing to ArabicNews.com and bookmark ArabicNews.com & subscribe to our daily email news bulletin.

Search