Damascus, (ST) - The International Planning and Cooperation Commission and the Embassy of the People's Republic of China on Sunday signed an agreement in which China will provide a grant of $ 30 million to the Syrian government to implement humanitarian projects according to the needs of the Syrian government and "a free payment of foodstuffs worth $4 million."

 In a statement to reporters after the signing of the agreement, Chinese Ambassador Chiangyin said the agreement is "a consistent evidence of the close friendship between China and Syria." He expressed hope that this support would alleviate the tragedy of the Syrian people.

Algeria- Syrian Ambassador to Algeria, Dr. Numeir Wahib Al-Ghanim, confirmed that Syria's participation in the Algiers International Fair is an indication of the recovery of the Syrian economy despite the difficulties it experienced.

During his visit to the Syrian pavilion at the exhibition accompanied with members of the Syrian community in Algeria, Mr. Al-Ghanim, stressed the need to pay attention to the quality of the Syrian product to maintain its position in the Algerian markets. He pointed out that the great turnout of Algerian citizens to the Syrian pavilion and its products should be an incentive for the Syrian producer and exhibitor to maintain the product and its quality.

Rome - FAO welcomed the new report published recently by WFP on food security, conflict and international migration.

"The WFP report is an important contribution to the debate and analysis of some of the fundamental drivers of migration especially those related to conflict and food insecurity," said Kostas Stamoulis, FAO Assistant Director-General. Economic and Social Development Department.

Making migration a choice rather than a necessity implies the creation of alternative and resilient livelihood opportunities," Stamoulis said.

DAMASCUS, (ST) - The fourth International Building Technology Exhibition (Techno Build4), which is organized by the Syrian International Marketing Organization (SIEMA), will be launched on Monday at the DAMA Rose Hotel in Damascus. The event will be sponsored by the Ministry of Public Works and Housing and supported by the Engineers Syndicate.

"The three-day exhibition is part of a series of reconstruction exhibitions involving about 50 Syrian companies," said Mowafak Tayyarah, General Director of the organizing foundation of the exhibition.

Aleppo, (ST) - A delegation represents Syrian industrialists and businessmen will participate in the biennial Philippine International Food Products Exhibition, which opens on May 19.

“Ahmad Ajameyeh,a participant in the exhibition said that the Syrian participation in the exhibition, which is one of the most important exhibitions in Asia and characterized by the wide participation of food companies in its activities, is a step to consolidate relations between the two countries. The event, he added, is an opportunity to explore new markets, whether for import or export activities.