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elations between Morocco and Indonesia, especially in economic ties, have been “expanding” in recent years as more and more Indonesian products have been flowing into the North African country, an Indonesian minister has said.

“Our relations with Morocco are expanding and encouraging. The trade between the two countries reached US$214.32 million in 2015. But this figure doesn’t reflect the real potential of both countries,” Public Works and Public Housing Minister Basuki Hadimuljono said at the Moroccan National Day reception in Jakarta on Saturday night.

“We have not yet tapped into the great potential for cooperation with Morocco. We will jointly explore opportunities to enhance economic cooperation between the two countries”.

Indonesia has been exporting palm oil, furniture, coal, spices, garments and glassware for many years. In recent years, Indonesia added more products to its exports to Morocco such as instant noodles, green tea and coffee.

“Indofood is building an instant noodle factory in Morocco. Our green tea products have already entered into the Moroccan market,” Basuki added.

For Indonesia’s agricultural sector, Morocco is an important country as the latter is home to more than 70 percent of the world’s phosphate, a main ingredient for fertilizers and reserves.

Currently, Indonesia has been importing mainly phosphate, fertilizers, chemicals, oranges, iron and steel products from Morocco.

The North African country has also offered up its expertise in agriculture, fisheries and renewable energy to Indonesia.

Morocco is Indonesia’s seventh biggest trading partner in Africa,

With its more than $100 billion gross domestic product (GDP) and 35 million population, Morocco, a regional power in North Africa, is a promising market as well as a gateway to both African and European countries for Indonesian products and investment. The country is located less than 100 kilometers away from Spain.

PT Indofood CBP Sukses Makmur is building a $5 million instant noodles factory, its largest factory outside Indonesia, in the Johra Ain Industrial Estate in Tiflet, Morocco. It will begin operations in September or October.

Echoing a similar view, Moroccan Ambassador to Indonesia Mohamed Majdi praised the relations between the two countries as “excellent”.

“During this year, Morocco and Indonesia have continued to strengthen their existing historical friendship and close ties,” he said.

“The foundation of the bilateral relations between our two countries remains excellent, to my utmost delight,” Majdi said in his speech to mark the celebration of the 17th anniversary of the Enthronement of Moroccan King Mohammed VI.