Damascus, (ST) – The board of directors of the Damascus Chamber of Commerce headed by Ghassan Qalaa, discussed with a delegation of the Greek Businessmen Association headed by Ioannis Mandrinos, the chairman of the association, the ways to enhance trade and economic cooperation between the two sides.
The chairman of the Greek Association Mandrinos stressed that his country is friendly to Syria and has strong relations with Syrian businessmen, pointing out the importance of the visit in promoting and developing work to reflect positively on the two countries. He affirmed the need to find solutions to economic problems between the two sides, indicating that the presence of Greek businessmen in the Damascus Chamber of Commerce aims at discussing the agreement signed more than a year ago with the Chamber in order to develop and improve relations with the Syrian side.
He expressed hope that the relations between the two countries will resume especially in the field of establishing a maritime line from Syria to one of the Greek cities and applying this experience to other cities, especially as some of them are close to Russia and Northern Europe.
For their part, members of the Greek Association pointed out that there is a strong will by both sides to implement what has been agreed upon and establish an office for Syrian businessmen in Greece to introduce the Syrian industries.
Qalaa stressed the importance of the visit of the Greek delegation within the difficult circumstances faced by Syria as a result of unilateral economic measures imposed on it. He hoped that Syria will surpass these measures and that the joint work between the two sides will be strengthened. He affirmed that Greece will be Syria’s gateway to Europe, pointing out that despite the difficulties that the Syrian businessmen are still facing, they continue to work and there is no Shortage of goods.
For their part, the chamber’s board members called for activating the maritime line between Greece and Lattakia, activating air transport lines with Damascus, participating in tourism projects offered for investment in Syria and helping in lifting coercive economic measures.
Raghda Sawas