China to extend loan to Morocco

China has decided to extend Morocco an interest-free loan to back the country's development process.

The announcement was made at a meeting in Rabat Thursday between the visiting Chinese vice-minister of trade, Luo Gan, and Moroccan Premier Abderrahmane Youssoufi.

The Chinese official-- who did not disclose the loan amount--called for the consolidation of cooperation relations and for more incentives to economic operators to increase investments in both countries.

Talks also covered the incidence of drought on Moroccan economy and the measures adopted by the government to cope with the situation, mainly in the rural world.

Youssoufi expressed appreciation for China's backing to the Moroccan bid to host the 2006 world soccer cup.