King Mohammed receives Chinese business delegation

Moroccos King Mohammed VI received Thursday in the Moroccan southern Atlantic city of Agadir a delegation representing Chinese enterprises.

The audience was attended by director of the royal office, Mohamed Rochdi Chraibi, secretary of state for foreign affairs and cooperation, Taib Fassi Fihri, Charge de mission at the royal office, Fadel Benyaich, and China's ambassador to Morocco, Xiong Zhanqi.

The sovereign afterwards hosted a function in honour of the Chinese delegation. Also present were chairman of the Moroccan employers' association la Confederation Generale des Entreprises du Maroc (CGEM), Hassan Chami, and other CGEM members.

The 30-member Chinese business delegation had held on Wednesday in Rabat a meeting with members of the chamber of commerce, industry and services of Rabat-Sale to explore cooperation opportunities between the two countries.

The two sides stressed the need to upgrade cooperation, mainly through partnership projects and the exchange of information and experience in economic realms.

Head of the Chinese delegation, representing the sectors of textile, agri-business, mechanical, metallurgical and chemical industries and cement industry, said the visit to Morocco is backed by the Chinese government which seeks to promote economic relations with the Kingdom.

In 2000, China ranked 10th among Morocco's suppliers and 21st among its clients.

Morocco's imports are mainly made up of electronic devices, ceramics and tea, while exports are limited to phosphate by-products and some other minerals.