Imports through AFT worth 147 bln SP

DAMASCUS, (ST) – Director General of Customs Majdi Hakima confirmed that the value of imported materials through the Greater Arab Free Trade Agreement amounted to about 147 billion Syrian Pounds.

Data of the Development and Export Promotion Association (DEPA) showed the rise of the Syrian share of imports from Arab states for the same period to reach 22 %, a rise estimated at 61.8 percent in 2010.

“The Arab countries have the highest share of the Syrian exports as Egypt was ranked first by 26.1 percent of the total Syrian exports, Jordan was the second with 22 percent and then Lebanon by 15.3 percent,” according to theDEPA’s data.

Director of the DEPA Ihab Ismandar explained that he is working to control the misuse of some countries to the Greater Arab Free Trade Agreement, pointing out that “the subject of making sure the certificates of origin on import s that forms a real obstacle to industrialists.

 He added that this procedure leads to the simplification of customs procedures and the right to declare the goods and curb smuggling that is reflected positively on the Treasury’s resources.

Sh. Al -Khatib