Syria, Iraq Discuss Boosting Trade Ties

BAGHDAD- Iraqi Minister of Trade Malas Mohammad Abdul Karim and Syria’s Ambassador in Baghdad Sattam Jad’an al-Dandah yesterday discussed ways of boosting trade ties and exchange between the two brotherly countries.

The Iraqi minister said that the size of the Syrian-Iraqi trade exchange has grown to reach 2.8 billion US dollar despite the exceptional circumstances in both countries.

He hailed the development of the Syrian industries and stressed that the Iraqis are heavily buying Syrian products due to their quality and because they are competitive to any foreign product.

Abdul Karim expressed hope that trade exchange between Syria and Iraq will become bigger, affirming the importance of reactivating the economic cooperation agreement signed between the two sides in 2009 and of activating the Syrian-Iraqi joint committee.

On his part, the Syrian Ambassador told SANA correspondent in Baghdad that the Syrian-Iraqi trade relations are witnessing growing development that will benefit the peoples of both countries.

He affirmed the Syrian government’s keenness to meet the need of the Iraqi markets for the Syrian agricultural and industrial products.

Al-Dandah stressed that it is important for the Syrian companies to have access to the Iraqi markets and hold exhibitions to meet the increasing Iraqi turn out on buying Syrian products.

Hamda Mustafa