Syria, Russia Talk on Boosting Trade Exchange

 MOSCOW- Syrian and Russia have discussed ways of enhancing economic, trade, agricultural and industrial cooperation.

The talks held on Friday by the Syrian economic delegation led by Deputy Minister of Economy and Foreign Trade Hayyan Suleiman with a Russian delegation representing Moscow Chamber of Industry and Commerce, also focused on the issue of Syria’s joining of the Custom Federation between Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan and the BRICS Grouping which comprises Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.

The Syrian side affirms the government’s policy of directing Syria’s trade and economic relations eastward, particularly towards the Russian markets where many Syrian products can be promoted.

The Syrian delegation, who urged the Russian companies to work and carry out investments in Syria, stressed the importance of opening a credit in the Russian banks so as to facilitate payments by the businessmen of both sides and to expand trade exchange.

The delegation pointed out that Syria needs to attract Russian investments in the areas of reconstruction and economic development.

For his part, Chief of the International and Regional Cooperation at the Moscow Chamber of Commerce and Industry Youri Morozov, said the requests of the Syrian partners will receive every support by the chamber and by the governor of Moscow, wishing Syria and the Syrian people prosperity and peace.

In a statement to SANA correspondent in Moscow, Dr. Suleiman hailed the talks as positive and said that besides discussing economic and trade relations, the two sides exchanged view points on the political situation particularly under the global conspiracy to which Syria is being exposed. 

Morozov also told SANA that the “Russian people feel sorry for the Syrians’ crisis-caused suffering. We hope that the crisis will end peacefully as soon as possible, because the use of force can achieve nothing.”

Describing the talks as successful, Morozov stressed that the Moscow Chamber of Industry and Commerce will spare no effort to implement all the points discussed and agreed on during the Syrian delegation’s visit.

“Very soon, we can say that economic and trade cooperation between the two countries has made long strides,” Morozov said, welcoming Syria’s desire to join organizations like the BRICS, the Shanghai for Cooperation and other economic groups.

H. Mustafa