Syrian-Jordanian Economic Forum kicks off in Damascus

With the participation of 90 Jordanian companies and businessmen , the activities of the Syrian-Jordanian Economic Forum kicked off in Damascus on Saturday under the slogan “”Participatory rather than Competition” to highlight prospects of cooperation in the fields of economy, trade, transport, industry and agriculture.

The Minister of Economy and Foreign Trade Muhammad Samer Al-Khalil stressed that the forum is an opportunity to discuss the difficulties and obstacles that face commercial activity in the two countries, with the aim of reaching the wanted level of trade exchange, and developing economic cooperation in the field of investments, in a way that enhances the economic relations between the two countries to be better than it was before the terrorist war on Syria.

For his part, Chairman of the Jordan and Aqaba Chamber of Commerce Nael Kabariti, who also heads the Jordanian delegation, pointed out that the forum is a new building block for the development of trade relations between the two countries.

He asserted that the Jordan Chamber of Commerce is working to overcome obstacles to facilitate the movement of trade exchange with Syria for the common interest of both countries.

The head of the Federation of Syrian Chambers of Commerce, Abu Al-Huda Al-Lahham, affirmed the importance of the forum for strengthening economic relations, providing facilities for those wishing to do business between the two countries, and activating the role of businessmen with regard to investment projects.

Al-Lahham expressed his hope to increase the volume of trade exchange between the two countries, which last year reached more than $100 million.

Deputy Minister of Transport Ammar Kamal El-Din expressed his hope to achieve fruitful cooperation with the Jordanian side, and to provide everything that contributes to facilitating trade exchange between the two countries.

Minister of Industry Ziad Sabbagh indicated that the forum comes as a continuation of the mutual visits between the two sides, to develop economic relations to levels that meet the needs of the people of the two countries in various sectors, and to take decisions that facilitate the flow of goods, and reach a common vision that is applicable on the ground.

The 3-day forum is organized by the Jordan Chamber of Commerce (JCC) in cooperation with the Federation of Syrian Chambers of Commerce under the patronage of the Syrian Ministry of Economy and Foreign Trade.

The forum will review the capabilities of the Jordanian companies and the opportunities of their work in the Syrian market in the domains of inter-trade, services, industry, financial sector, insurance, contracting, construction, universities and agriculture.

It will also include joint working sessions between representatives of Jordanian companies and Syrian businessmen to discuss cooperation in the areas of renewable energy, Information and Communications Technology (ICT), healthcare and medical tourism.

Hamda Mustafa/ Basma Qaddour