Morocco and Iran take moves to boost cooperation

Morocco and Iran have taken a series of measures to boost cooperation and trade exchanges, on the occasion of the visit to Iran this Jan.16-21 by Moroccan premier, Abderrahmane Youssoufi, the first by such a high level Moroccan official since the Islamic revolution of 1979.

In addition to a package of memos of understanding, the two countries also set up a joint chamber of trade and industry, a joint venture meant to increase trade flows, a joint commission on fisheries to identify areas of cooperation and encourage investments by private operators.

Youssoufi said, upon return to Rabat, Morocco and Iran are resolved to consolidate their relations and serve interests of the Arab and Islamic nations.

Youssoufi held a series of meetings with Iranian officials, including president Mohamed Khatami, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the guide of the Islamic republic of Iran, first vice-president, Hassan Habibi, foreign minister, Kamal Kharazi, and speaker of the Choura council (parliament).

During his talks with Iranian officials, the Moroccan premier highlighted the longstanding ties between the two Islamic countries that stem from Islamic solidarity and the need to establish a fruitful cooperation serving interests of the two peoples and of the Islamic nation.

Youssoufi was accompanied by a ministerial delegation, businessmen and journalists.

According to Morocco's exchange office, Moroccan imports from Iran considerably grew in the last four years from 500 million DH ($ 47.6 mln) in 1996 to 2 billion DH ($ 190.4 mln) in the first six months of 2000. Exports, which did not exceed 314 million DH ($ 30 mln) in 1996, declined to 290 million DH ($ 27.6 mln) in 1998 and totaled 500 million DH ($ 47.6 mln) in the first six months of 2000.