Deputy Head of Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (ICCIMA) Hossein Selahvarzi, who is leading a top-ranking trade delegation to Damascus, met and talked with Mohammad Ghassan Al Qallaa, President of the Federation of Syrian Chambers of Commerce.
At the meeting, Salahvarzi pointed to formation of a main office in ICCIMA for development of cooperation between Iran and Syria and highlighted determination of the Iranian private sector to have a strong and effective presence in the Syrian market in a bid to meet requirements and contribute to reconstruction of the Arab country adding “provincial chambers in Iran will participate in the development of economic cooperation with Syria, in light of their capabilities and potential.”
Syria’s Al Qallaa, for his part, appreciated Iran’s support for Syria saying “despite existence of strong political ties between the two countries, their economic interactions are sadly at an unsatisfactory level.”
“In order to promote economic transactions between Tehran and Damascus, an essential need is felt for further cooperation and coordination between chambers of the two sides,” he continued.
ICCIMA deputy head later underlined that a portion of difficulties pertained to traders’ lack of familiarity with needs and capacities of the other side and they were partly due to the failure to implement free trade agreement between the two nations. “both of these problems can be tracked down by trade chambers of Iran and Syria,” maintained Salahvarzi.
The meeting stipulated that the Syrian Chamber of Commerce list immediate needs and also information of projects to be implemented by Iranian companies and provide it to the ICCIMA. The two sides also agreed to introduce special delegates to follow up on affairs.
ICCIMA deputy head had also met with Syria’s Minister of Economy and Foreign Trade Mohammad Samer al-Khalil in Damascus on Thursday.
called on the Syrian minister to assign a special envoy to arrange for the thorough and full implementation of a free trade agreement between the two countries.
Selahvarzi also emphasized that ICCIMA would spare no effort to satisfy Syria’s demands if the Damascus government lists its urgent needs and determines the construction or reconstruction projects that require assistance from Iran.
The Syrian Minister for his part praised ICCIMA role and record in boosting Iran's economy and expressed hope that the experience along with the aids from the country's private sector would contribute to enhancement of economic cooperation similar to the bilateral political ties between the two nations.
Samer al-Khalil also announced that he would visit Iran in near future, heading a Syrian high-ranking delegation, to develop the economic ties and cooperation with private sectors in Iran.
Iran is among the 43 countries that have attended the 59th edition of Damascus International Fair, which kicked off on Thursday after a 5-year hiatus.
Iran has the highest number of companies in the event, with 30 firms in a pavilion with an area of more than 1,000 square meters.
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