Morocco's oil bill rose by 40% in 1999

The Moroccan exchange office said imports of oil cost Morocco in the first nine months of 1999 $580 million, rising by 40% in comparison with last year.

Morocco's imports of oil also increased by 22% in volume from 4.38 million tons to 5.35 million tons.

The office said the higher oil bill is due to an increase in the average price per imported ton, going up from $94.7 to $108.5.

Oil purchases entailed a 29.6% increase in the country's overall imports, which went up from $7.2 billion to $7.7 billion.