Iran, Syria for Boosting Trade and Economic Relations

DAMASCUS, (ST)- Plenary talks  between the Syrian and Iranian  sides were finalized on Monday   on enhancing  bilateral, economic, and  trade  relations  and means of boosting them  in all  areas.

The Cabinet ‘s Secretary General  Teiser al-Zoubi noted the importance  of expanding prospects of economic and  health cooperation r to meet the needs of both peoples  and enhance  their  steadfastness  against hostile  conspiracies and challenges and, in particular strengthening the steadfastness of the Syrian people against the  unjust   economic blockade coupled  with a terrorist war aimed at destroying the capabilities of the Syrian people and the state structure and undermine security and stability in the region.

Advisor  to Vice President of Iran Kazimi Qoummi  renewed Iran ‘s  support for the Syrian leadership and people to  challenge this  global  conspiracy. He expressed  the Iranian government’s desire to expand the horizons of economic and trade cooperation between the two countries and ensure the requirements of the steadfastness of the Syrian people.

The  two sides  also adopted  urgent measures to export some products necessary for the Syrian market, especially basic materials and products,  and laid a timetable to exchange agricultural products , including  olive oil, citrus, flour, potatoes, oil derivatives and equipments for  power plants, hospitals and develop appropriate mechanisms that help to remove all obstacles and administrative routines that stand against  the flow of goods between the two countries.

As for  boosting financial and banking relations, the two sides agreed on accelerating the process of opening of  the Syrian-Iranian Joint funding bank  , increase the volume of trade exchange , facilitate financial procedures , activate the free trade agreement and laying  the  mechanisms to regulate the exchange of goods and products between the two countries .

The two officials co- signed the  Minutes  of the meeting  of the bilateral cooperation committee  between Syria and Iran to lay the foundations necessary for further deepening and strengthening the bilateral economic relations, trade and investment.

The two sides agreed that the Iranian side to secure commodities needed by the Syrian market , especially medicines, medical supplies and a number of basic materials and  the Syrian side to export products needed by the Iranian side including  olive oil, citrus, clothing, textiles and cotton yarn .

Earlier in August, the ministry of health received a shipment of medical  equipment, tools and materials and ambulances at a cost of  USD 1.2 million.

T. Fateh