President of Crimea in Damascus for Talks on Trade and Economic Cooperation

DAMASCUS, (ST)-President of the Republic of Crimea Sergey Aksyonov, visiting Syria, discussed with Syrian officials the steps and agreements on the basis of which economic relations between the two countries will be built.

President Aksyonov and the accompanying delegation, which comprised a number of ministers, head of companies and some advisors, held two rounds of talks with Syrian officials during which the two sides agreed on establishing a “Syrian trading house in the Republic of Crimea”  as well as a joint maritime fright company. They also agreed on facilitating financial and banking procedures between the two countries.

The possibility of creating partnerships in the areas of tourism, hotel training, culture, oil, agriculture, construction and building were also discussed during the talks besides the facilitations that can be offered to the Syrian traders and industrialists in Crimea.

 Speaking to journalists following the talks, President Aksyonov said the talks included suggestions that Crimea supplies Syria with products it is famous for, such as equipments to build railways, agricultural products and building equipments. He expressed optimism over the positive results of the talks which will contribute to strengthening friendship between Syria and Crimea.

On his part, Syria’s Minister of Economy and Foreign Trade Mohammad Samer al-Khalil said that Crimea is the nearest port on the Black Sea, so it can play a key role in trade exchange between Syria and each of Crimea and Russia.

Earlier, the Crimean President held a meeting with Lattakia Governor Ibrahim Kheder al-Salem during which the two sides discussed signing a  twinship agreement between the cities of Yalta and Lattakia, as well as agreements on encouraging the exportation of Syrian products, like citrus fruits, tobacco and olive oil, to Crimea and surrounding countries. The two sides also discussed carrying out tourism projects.

In addition, during the Businessmen and Businesswomen Forum, held in Damascus, President  Aksyonov stressed that his country is ready to receive Syrian products in its markets and is willing to introduce its products to the Syrian markets.

 He said Crimea is prepared to provide all facilitations to Syrian businessmen, to establish flights between the two countries and to provide medical aid to Syrian children and wounded soldiers. He urged the Syrian businessmen to participate in Yalta Economic Forum due to be held in April, 2019.

The Syrian economy minister, on his part, said the meeting of businessmen from both sides was important given the key role of the private sector in completing the efforts of the governments of the two countries to establish trade exchange and build investment partnerships in different domains.

He pointed out that establishing a Syrian trading house will be the core for the trade activity in Crimea and the surrounding countries, being a free economic area where Syrian products face no customs or taxes.  

According to the minister, the maritime fright company provides a regular transport line between the ports of the two countries, thereby saving time and expenses.

Other speakers from both sides focused on the future of economic cooperation between Syria and Crimea and the readiness of the Crimean side to assist and participate in Syria’s reconstruction process.  

The Crimean president arrived in Damascus Monday noon on a two-day visit.

Hamda Mustafa