Visit to India has special importance, Youssoufi

Moroccan Premier Abderrahmane Youssoufi on Thursday said the four-day official visit he is to pay to India as of February 21 has a special importance.

India is the largest democracy in the third world and is one of the major markets in the world, he told the press before flying to Bangkok-- where he will attend a special meeting on development part of the 10th session of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD X)-- before flying to New Delhi.

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

Phosphates and by-products dominate Morocco's exports to India.

Youssoufi, who termed the Moroccan-Indian relations as excellent, said India is Morocco's first phosphates client.

"We intend to endeavor for the consolidation of our political and economic relations," he said.