Syrian-Lebanese Talks to Develop Economic, Trade and Tourism

Damascus- The Minister of Tourism Eng. Bishr Yaziji discussed with his Lebanese counterpart Owadis Kidianian the mechanisms of developing tourism relations between the two countries.

He said that tourism in Syria during the coming period will be “business tourism”, stressing the importance of framing the work between tourism institutions in Syria and Lebanon.

For his part, Mr. Kedanian stressed that Lebanon’s participation in Damascus International Fair is an opportunity to renew tourism relations between the two countries, pointing out that the presence of the Syrians in Lebanon constitutes an important step for the growth of tourism. 

The Minister of Internal Trade and Consumer Protection Dr. Abdullah Al Gharbi also discussed with the Lebanese Minister of Industry and Agriculture Dr. Hussein Haj Hassan and Ghazi Zeitar the economic and trade relations between the two countries and means of developing and activating them.

 The meeting focused on the necessity of increasing the exchange of food, industrial and pharmaceutical products and commodities between the two countries and the importance of Lebanon’s participation in the reconstruction phase in Syria.

 “Despite the difficult circumstances that Syria has experienced over the past years, Syria has initiated an initiative to help the Lebanese economy by facilitating a number of things, including the import of Lebanese bananas in 2010 and until 2018, and helping the affected Lebanese farmers,” Minister Haj Hassan told reporters. He clarified that the goal of the visit is participate in the Damascus International Fair in its sixtieth session.

 For his part, Mr. Zaiter explainedthat Lebanon’s participation this year in the Damascus International Fair is an official one and indicates Lebanon’s keenness to deepen and develop brotherly relations with Syria in recognition of its role and positions in defending Lebanon and Arab issues.

 He revealed the preparation of official talks between the two sides before the end of September to expand trade relations between the two countries.

 For his part, Mr. al- Gharbi expressed the hope that the economic movement between Syria and Lebanon will return as it was before, pointing out that the Damascus International Fair this year is particularly important in terms of increasing the number of countries and companies participating in the exhibition from different countries, which reflects their desire to develop their relations with Syria.

 The meeting was attended by the Secretary-General of the Syrian-Lebanese Supreme Council, Nasri al -Khoury.

 Sh. Kh.