Trade between Syria and Russia Witnessed 30% Increase over the Past Nine Months: Russian Economic Expert
DAMASCUS, (ST)- The Russian-Syrian trade relations have witnessed notable development this year compared to last year, Evgeny Popov, Director of the Department of Asia, Africa and Latin America countries at the Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation, has stressed, pointing out that trade exchange between the two countries has increased over the past nine months by 30%; that is with an increase that exceeds $300 million, according to the Syrian News Agency SANA.
Popov was speaking during a preparatory meeting of the 11th Session of the Russian-Syrian Committee for Technical, Economic, Scientific and Technological Cooperation which was kicked off in Damascus on Wednesday.
He said that the Syrian and Russian sides are currently studying 20 documents for cooperation in the economic, industrial, transport, agricultural and heath fields, said Popov, who is the Executive Secretary of the Russian delegation participation in the Joint committee’s session, stressing that the main goal of these meetings is to move forward with effective steps as to boost the Syrian economy after the war.
He made it clear that the Russian side has thoroughly studied the projects proposed by the Syrian side during the committee’s 10th session in Russia’s Sochi and discussed the possible participation of Russian companies in the oil and industrial projects. He noted that the Russian Energy Ministry signed a road map for cooperation in the current era.
Some 100 representatives of Russian ministries of trade, industry, energy, construction, and education as well as the Quality Control Commission and the Customs Service, in addition to more than 20 companies are taking part in the preparatory meetings.
The Syrian side is represented by assistant ministers and directors specialized in joint cooperation domains.
Thouraya Idelbi, the Assistant Chairman of the Syrian Planning and International Cooperation Commission, affirmed that through cooperation with the Russian side, the Syrian government seek enhancing the economic ties to the level of political relations. She clarified that the joint committee’s meetings are one of the key principles for deepening cooperation in the reconstruction era, expressing hope that the two sides will sign cooperation agreements that serve the common interest of the two countries.
The preparatory technical meetings will continue to be held on Thursday in order to prepare the final draft of the protocol by the chairmanship of the technical committee.
Hamda Mustafa