RABAT, June 17 (Xinhua) -- The economic cost of air pollution in Morocco is estimated at 1.62 percent of its GDP, Moroccan Secretary of State for Sustainable Development Nezha El Ouafi said Monday.

During a press briefing at the National Laboratory for Studies and Pollution Monitoring, El Ouafi said air pollution is becoming a concern in Morocco, with its cost to public health and the environment estimated at nearly 1.2 billion U.S. dollars per year.

Morocco attaches special importance to air pollution because of its direct impact on people and the environment, El Ouafi added.

The current National Air Quality Monitoring Network is composed of 29 fixed stations and four mobile units, but the number of stations will reach 101 by 2030, she noted.

Vehicle emissions are the most important sources of air pollution in Moroccan urban centers, accounting for 50 to 60 percent of the pollution.