China and Morocco are expected to seal at least six deals to open more doors for trade and tourism during President Hu Jintao's visit to the northwest African nation late this month.

 

Taib Fassi Fihri, visiting special envoy of King Mohamed VI, told reporters on Friday in Beijing that there would be governmental bilateral agreements as well as business deals between the individual companies.

 

"Those agreements are a further supplement to the existing bilateral cooperation in various fields, including tourism, technology, medical care and culture," Fihri said.

 

He said he welcomed more Chinese enterprises to invest in his country as "the Moroccan market offers a tremendous opportunity for Chinese businesses."

 

"We are quite satisfied with the current economic ties and do believe they will continue to forge ahead," he said.

 

According to Fihri, Chinese enterprises in Morocco are active in such areas as governmental purchasing, electricity and infrastructure construction.

 

"They are also good at manufacturing industries such as textiles and clothes making," Fihri said, adding that trade has grown rapidly to parallel growing demand from the Moroccan market.

 

According to a Foreign Ministry source, Hu and King Mohamed will hold in-depth discussions to strengthen cooperation in various fields, and Hu's visit fully reflects the importance China attaches to its relations with Morocco.

 

Fihri said that King Mohamed and the Moroccan people are looking forward to Hu's visit.

 

China and Morocco established diplomatic relations in 1958.

 

Fihri praised China's achievements and the important role China has played in international affairs.

 

He reiterated Morocco's support for China's efforts in safeguarding State sovereignty and territorial integrity.

 

Fihri arrived on Thursday and held talks with State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan and senior officials from the Foreign Ministry. He is scheduled to fly back on Saturday.

 

(China Daily April 8, 2006)