Damascus- The Minister of Internal Trade and Consumer Protection, Dr. Abdullah al-Gharbi discussed here on Wednesday with Lebanese Minister of Agriculture, Ghazi Zu'aiter, ways to strengthen and develop economic cooperation relations and increase the exchange of goods and products between Syria and Lebanon according to the brotherhood cooperation and coordination treaty signed between    the two countries.

 The two sides stressed the importance of cooperation between the two countries in covering the needs of local markets in both countries and activating the movement of importing and exporting their goods, agricultural and industrial products to the neighboring markets.

 In statements to reporters after the meeting, the Lebanese Minister of Agriculture confirmed that the development of bilateral relations between the two countries is a joint responsibility and we will work hard on achieving them. "The relationship between Syria and Lebanon is fraternal and historical, and what is happening in Syria is reflected directly on Lebanon at different levels and trends,” he said.

 The minister pointed out that Syria is keen to activate and develop any economic, commercial and industrial activity that serves the interests and requirements of the peoples of the two countries, and what has been discussed reflects the common desire to increase and expand the trade exchange between the two countries.

 He underlined the importance of joint work to facilitate the flow of agricultural products and agricultural production requirements in both directions according to agricultural calendar which reflects positively on farmers in both countries.

 For his part, Mr. Khoury said in a similar statement that the talks are part of the continuous efforts to activate cooperation between Syria and Lebanon on the basis of the brotherhood treaties, cooperation and coordination signed between the two countries to find ways to implement the agreements related to the work of the two ministries and invest the chances of success of Damascus International Fair in activating economic and trade relations.

 The meeting was attended by Minister of Interior Trade and Consumer Protection Jamal Al-Din Shuaib, Director of Syrian Trade, Ammar Mohammed, members of the Lebanese delegation, a number of Lebanese economic and agricultural professionals and officials, and the General Secretariat of the Syrian-Lebanese Higher Council.

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 Damascus-Participants in the Belarusian and Czech pavilions at the Damascus International Fair focused on the importance of enhancing cooperation with Syria in various fields, represented by chambers of industry and trade.

 Belarusian Slava Shepchuk said in a statement that her country has expanded its participation in the Fair this year, expressing hope that the Belarusian companies can sign a number of contracts with Syria.

 Mrs. Shepchuk said that 10 Belarusian companies are participating in the Fair and are working in various sectors such as manufacturing machinery, foodstuff and medicines.

Damascus - The General Establishment for International Exhibitions and Fairs signed here a memorandum of understanding with the Sudanese Company for Free Zones during the 60th Damascus International Fair.

The MoU aims to activate trade and economic relations between the two sides and to continue cooperation on the basis of mutual benefit, especially with regard to participation in international trade fairs held by both parties in addition to national products exhibitions in both countries.

In a statement to reporters, Mr. Fares Kortalli, Director of the General Organization for International Exhibitions, said that according to the memorandum of understanding, the exchange of expertise in the field of public and specialized exhibitions is underway, pointing out that Sudan is an important market for Syrian trade.

The Syrian-Sudanese relationship is very old and Syria participated in the Khartoum International Fair in last January and is preparing to participate more widely in its next session.

In a similar statement, the Director of the General Administration of Exhibitions, Conferences and Tourism of the Sudan Company for Free Zones and Duty Frees in Sudan, Omar Ibrahim Omar Al-Haj, pointed out the importance of signing the memorandum of understanding in terms of framing the work in the field of participation in exhibitions and activating the agricultural exports which are famous for Sudan and increasing trade exchange which did not stop despite the crisis in Syria as well as expanding the scope of training and rehabilitation between the two sides.

Mr. Omar Al-Haj noted the importance of Sudan's participation in the Damascus international Fair, which is characterized this year by increasing international participation, good organization and the large number of visitors, adding that raising the flags of 48 countries in the Fair yard carries a message to the whole world.

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Damascus - Director General of the Syrian Investment Authority, Medyan Diab met here on Monday with a delegation representing businessmen and representatives of Indian companies chaired by President of the Federation of Indian Export Institutions, Janesh Kumar Quetta.

Mr. Diab, during the meeting, affirmed that Syria has many positive advantages for investment as a result of the diversity of the national economy and its sectors, as it is one of the most promising markets after the end of the crisis, with its potentials and diversified resources and because it is an access gateway to the markets in the region. The introduction of its equipment for the project and its output in addition to customs exemptions.

He presented the delegation with a film representing the Investment Authority, its functions and the investment map in Syria. It shows the strategic way of the Authority and how to simplify procedures before investors and the features of the investment law.

For his part, the head of the Indian delegation pointed to the importance of providing more facilities for investors wishing to invest, especially in terms of procedures, noting that the Indian companies for contracting and engineering and in the fields of solar energy able to participate in reconstruction.

For her part, Deputy Minister of Economy for Economic Development and International Economic Relations, Rania Ahmed, pointed out that the sectors represented by the delegation are large and varied in the fields of energy and renewable energy, and called on the delegation to visit the pavilions of the Damascus International Fair affiliated to the Syrian Investment Authority and the Planning and International Cooperation Authority to learn more about investment opportunities in Syria.

Mrs. Ahmed pointed out that there is a suitable ground for the establishment of all forms of projects, namely the free zones in industrial cities, especially the Hessya Industrial City because of its advantages and geographical location.

The Indian delegation includes businessmen, managers and agents of companies and experts working in the fields of energy, renewable energy, cable industry, tractor industry, heavy machinery, oil companies and others in the rehabilitation and maintenance of plants and manufacturing of fire systems.

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Prague - Spokesman of the Economic Chamber of the Czech Republic, Miroslav Deru, expressed the Chamber's desire to resume intensive contacts and traditions that were existed in trade relations between Syria and the Czech Republic.

Mr. Deru said in a statement to the Czech Press Agency that the Economic Chamber, as well as the Czech companies, have a great desire to resume trade relations and carry out projects between the two countries, indicating that the Chamber is currently preparing for a visit by the Czech businessmen to Syria.

He underlined that Syria was one of the closest allies of Czechoslovakia in the Middle East and that its name today has a good reputation, pointing out that the Czech companies can contribute to the reconstruction of Syria, especially in the railways, infrastructure of roads, airports, agricultural machinery, construction of production lines in the field of products Milk, water filters and equipment for the pharmaceutical industry.

It is noteworthy that 19 Czech companies are now participating in the Damascus International Fair, which is twice the number that participated in last year's session.

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