06/02/2007
Morocco's crude oil imports reached $2.9 billion in 2006, rising by 5.1% compared to 2005, figures released by trade regulator Office des Change show. The oil bill increase was attributed mainly to the hike in international crude oil prices -- the average price of an imported tonne increased by 18.4% in 2006. The volume of crude oil imports reached 6.26 million tonnes in 2006, an 11.3% decrease compared to 2005, while Morocco's gas imports reached 880 million tonnes, a 30.8% increase compared to 2005. The bulging energy bill was mainly responsible for Morocco’s widening trade deficit, which increased by 10.7% in 2006. (MAP)