Improved yield in light olefins and aromatics from methanol conversion on Zn and Mn loaded pentasil zeolite and composite pentasil zeolite-asbestos catalysts, the Zn content thereof ranging from 0.1 to 1.0% wt/wt and the Mn content thereof ranging from 0.2 to 5.0% wt/wt. The light olefins/aromatics ratio in the products varies with the Mn content in the catalyst, the cumulative light olefinic and aromatic production being kept constant at a high value (higher than 80% at 450°C).