Prime Minister Meets Omani Economic Delegation

Damascus,(ST) –  Prime Minister, Imad Khamis, received here on Tuesday Chairman of the Board of Directors of Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Saeed Bin Saleh Al-Kiyoumi,  and discussed with him ways of strengthening economic and investment relations between the two countries and the role of the private sector in this domain.

Eng. Khamis gave an explanation on the government’s plan for economic development and activating the role of businessmen and investors during the next phase.

He pointed out that “the priority of investments in Syria during the next phase will be for businessmen from friendly countries”

He pointed out that Syria has started the stage of economic recovery and it is a fertile environment for the launching of investment projects in all fields, pointing out that “the government is working on issuing a sophisticated legislative environment for investment to facilitate all procedures for investors.”

Eng. Khamis welcomed the participation of the economic and commercial activities in the Sultanate of Oman at the Damascus International Fair, which is the core of effective economic cooperation with the various countries and participating companies, and will provide a comprehensive vision of the investment reality in Syria for all participants in the Fair.

For his part, Mr. Al-Kiyoumi confirmed the importance of coordination and continuous cooperation between chambers of commerce and industry in the two countries to develop mechanisms for future cooperation, including the establishment of investments, especially in the fields of oil, tourism and real estate.

He pointed out that the Sultanate of Oman will participate actively in the Damascus International Fair, which is a good opportunity to explore the investment climate in Syria and see the laws and facilities provided by the Syrian government to investors.

The meeting was attended by the Minister of State for Organization Affairs Dr. Salwa Al-Abdullah, the President of the Federation of Syrian Chambers of Commerce Ghassan Al-Qalla’ and the head of Damascus countryside Chamber of Commerce Osama Mustafa and the Charged’Affaires of the Omani Embassy in Damascus.

In a statement to journalists following the meeting, Mr. Al-Kiyoumi said we want to see the investment opportunities in Syria and participate in Damascus International Fair, pointing out that Syria is a promising country in investment.

Minister of Economy discusses with the Omani delegation opportunities for investment cooperation

Minister of Economy and Foreign Trade, Dr. Mohammed Samer Al-Khalil,  also discussed with the delegation of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Oman the opportunities of cooperation and investment orientations in Syria during the current and future period.

During the meeting, Mr.  Khalil pointed out that his ministry and the Syrian chambers of commerce are working to form a council for Syrian and Omani businessmen, including all those who wish to invest from both sides and work in Syria as a sound basis for cooperation, stressing that investment in Syria is an important opportunity in the future and the Omani businessmen will have a role in this frame.

The Minister also noted the initiative of the Omani economic activities in activating investment cooperation with Syria through the Chambers of Industry and Commerce.

Chairman of Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry Said Bin Saleh Al-Kiyoumi pointed out the importance of the participation of Omani businessmen delegations in the Damascus International Fair to see the promising investment opportunities in Syria, stressing that the Oman Chamber of Industry and Commerce started extending bridges of cooperation with the Syrian side in the field of investment to form a new base in the field of investment.

The Omani delegation reviews the opportunities and investment facilities in Syria

On the other hand, the Omani delegation was briefed by the Director-General of the Syrian Investment Authority Dr. Enass Al-Umawi on the reality of investment projects and opportunities and facilities provided by the Authority in this area.

Mrs. Al-Umawi affirmed that the Authority supports private investment, activates its role in economic and social development and provides services to investors, especially through the one window to simplify and facilitate procedures and approvals for their projects, noting that there are “many promising opportunities for investors.”

For his part, the President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Oman addressed a number of inquiries about the services provided to investors and the time required to obtain approvals for investment projects and what procedures and facilities, “especially taxes on these projects and discounts.”

In a statement to reporters, Mrs. Al-Umawi pointed out that during the meeting, views and ideas were exchanged about the correct investment mechanisms and how to reform them in a way that suits the actual requirements of the investor, clarifying that several ideas were discussed concerning the administrative procedures and the new mechanism for investment in addition to all services to be launched to support investment in Syria.

For his part, the head of the Damascus Country side Chamber of Commerce, Osama Mustafa said in a similar statement that Syria has entered the stage of recovery and reconstruction and there are promising investment opportunities calling on all Syrian investors and others to invest in Syria.

Mr. Mustafa explained that the Omani delegation received answers on issues related to the procedures and facilitation of investment projects, “especially the tax side and the possibility of bringing in employment from abroad and the duration of granting licenses for investment projects.”

For his part, Mr. Al -Kiyomi reiterated the importance of focusing on investment laws to include features that attract foreign investments in terms of facilitating procedures and focusing on the time factor in completing transactions, especially for large projects.

Sharif al -Khatib