Bilateral trade between RI, Morocco doubled in 2006

The Jakarta Post ,  Jakarta   |  Mon, 06/11/2007 7:23 AM

Veeramalla Anjaiah, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Trade between Indonesia and Morocco surpassed the US$100 million-mark in 2006 and has doubled since 2005.

The Indonesian Ministry of Trade and the Central Statistics Agency figures show the total trade value of both countries reached $111.37 million last year, from $57.83 million in 2005.

Indonesia exported $54.70 million worth of goods in 2006 to Morocco, which has a population of 32-million.

This figure compares with $31.71 million in Indonesian exports to Morocco in 2005.

The balance of trade had been in favor of Indonesia for many years but it seems now there is some balance in trade between the two countries.

The Moroccan Embassy in Jakarta said it is pleased with the growing economic ties between the two countries.

Embassy's counselor Mostafa Nakhlaoui said Sunday over the last three years more Indonesian business people had visited Morocco to explore business opportunities.

""That's why Indonesia's imports from Morocco (have) increased, Mostafa said.

""And I think this year our bilateral trade will grow further.""

Indonesia imported $56.67 million worth of goods from Morocco in 2006 -- a more than 100 percent increase from $26.12 million in 2005.

Indonesia's exports to Morocco include coffee, fixed vegetable fats and oils, special yarns, textile fabrics, electronic equipment and furniture.

From Morocco, the archipelago imports mainly phosphate and industrial goods.

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