ABIDJAN, March 24 (Xinhua) -- Morocco's senior trade official on Tuesday expressed the country's willingness to strengthen trade cooperation with Cote d'Ivoire.

During a visit to the Cote d'Ivoire Export Agency (ACE), Omar Hejira, Morocco's secretary of state to the minister of industry and trade, said the two sides share a common goal of boosting trade.

"We aim to give concrete form to our willingness to strengthen our economic ties and build a mutually beneficial strategic partnership," he said.

The two sides agreed on several areas of cooperation, notably the establishment of an economic steering group bringing together public and private sector stakeholders from both countries.

The identified sectors cover high-growth potential industries, including agro-industry, textiles, automotive, cosmetics and handicrafts.

Morocco and Cote d'Ivoire have on several occasions reaffirmed their determination to consolidate and deepen their economic relations. ■