Malaysian PM satisfied over outcome of visit to Morocco

Malaysian Premier, Mohamed Mahatir, on Thursday voiced satisfaction over the outcome of the three-day official visit he paid to Morocco at the invitation of Moroccan peer, Abderrahmane Youssoufi.

The Malaysian Premier told the press before leaving Rabat that he had fruitful talks with Moroccan officials, especially Youssoufi and voiced Kuala Lumpur's determination to enhance cooperation with Morocco in several fields, including investments.

During his visit, Mahatir was accompanied by a large delegation including government officials, 80 economic operators and several journalists.

Several accords of cooperation, including two oil drilling contracts, were signed during Mahatir's visit.

On Wednesday, Mahatir met in Casablanca with Moroccan economic operators to debate with them means to develop partnership between Moroccan and Malaysian private sectors.

"Enormous fields of cooperation remain untapped, particularly in new information technology, car-making, tourism and oil," Mahatir told the businessmen.

Cooperation in these fields can boost trade exchanges that remain short of the expected levels, he said.

In 2001, trade between Morocco and Malaysia totalled 228.39 million dirhams, nearly US$ 19.68 million against 250 million dirhams, some US$ 21.55 million in 2000. The trade balance is in favour of Malaysia.

During the meeting, the Moroccan group "Aggouzal," signed a contract with a Malaysian firm for the marketing of several Moroccan products in the Asian nation.