Speaker of chamber of advisors confers in Kuala Lumpur with Malaysian premier

Speaker of the chamber of advisors (upper house of the Moroccan parliament), Jalal Essaid, who is currently on an official visit to Malaysia conferred with Malaysian premier, Mahatir Mohamed, on bilateral cooperation and international issues of common concern.

The two sides stressed the need to explore new cooperation prospects between the two countries, to involve the private sector in this endeavor and to reactivate the cooperation accords binding Morocco and Malaysia.

They equally underlined the necessity to promote transport between the two countries to upgrade the flow of trade exchanges.

The value of Moroccan-Malaysian trade ranges between $ 20 million and $ 25 million annually. Moroccan imports from the Asian country are mainly made up of rubber, vegetable oils, electric threads and cables and various electronic and electric devices, while exports consist mainly of phosphates.

Malaysian premier deemed it necessary to upgrade economic relations to the level of the political ties existing between the two countries, calling for the exchange of visits between businessmen and for the exchange of TV programs to publicize the two countries' potentials.

The Malaysian government will dispatch to Morocco a ministerial delegation to examine with Moroccan peers cooperation opportunities, Mahatir said.

The Malaysian premier also paid tribute to King Hassan II for his sustained efforts at the level of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) and at the head of the Al-quds Committee.

Jalal Essaid on his part hailed Malaysia's role on the regional scene and at the level of the islamic world. He also hailed Malaysia's stand regarding Morocco's territorial integrity and the Arab-Israeli conflict as well as its backing to the cause of muslim minorities that are subject to various forms of repression.

Jalal essaid and his accompanying delegation are also scheduled to meet Malaysian economic operators to expound investment opportunities offered by Morocco.

Meanwhile, the Moroccan Chamber of Advisors and the Malaysian Senate have set up a group of friendship and cooperation.

The move was officially announced at the talks held in kuala Lumpur between Speaker of the chamber of advisors (upper house of the Moroccan parliament), Jalal Essaid, who is currently on an official visit to Malaysia and Speaker of the Malaysian senate Mohamed Yaakoub.

The group, to include mps from the various parliamentary trends at the two legislative institutions, will endeavor to promote brotherhood relations and cooperation between the two countries.