Japan said Tuesday it will provide 10 billion yen in aid to Morocco for sewerage and power distribution projects as part of an effort to help the North African country stabilize its economy and fight poverty.

The two sides exchanged notes of agreement on the projects after a meeting between Moroccan King Mohammed VI and Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi at the Akasaka guesthouse in Minato Ward, Tokyo.

Some 9.5 billion yen in yen loans will be provided to improve sewers in three cities near Rabat. The power distribution projects will serve the central and northern parts of the country.

The remaining 500 million yen will be in the form of grant aid to promote economic reform and to purchase sound, lighting and audiovisual equipment for Morocco's national library.

"Morocco is building roads and harbors which are expected to help develop the nation," the 42-year-old king was quoted as saying by a Foreign Ministry official. "I hope Japan will stand by Morocco and support it."

The two countries agreed to hold high-level talks between the ministry once a year in Tokyo or Rabat to talk over various topics from politics and economy to culture and science.

King Mohammed VI, who is on a four-day visit to Japan, will leave Tokyo on Wednesday. It is the first time a Moroccan king has visited Japan.