Syrian Arab News Agency S A N A
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Damascus, SANA – Prime Minister Imad Khamis said that Syria is looking forward to further boost economic cooperation with Belarus and establish joint projects serving the mutual interests of the two countries.
Khamis made his remarks during a meeting with the Belarusian Industry Minister Vitaliy Vovk on Tuesday.
The Premier expressed the Syrian government and people’s appreciation over Belarus’ firm attitude towards the terrorist war waged on Syria which stresses non-interference in the internal affairs of other states.
He noted that huge facilitations will be offered to Belarusian companies, the exports and imports between the two countries, in addition to forming work groups to rehabilitate terror-affected and destroyed factories.
For his part, the Belarusian Industry Minister expressed readiness to implement projects in Syria, adding that the two sides agreed on holding joint committee sessions every six months.
He added that establishing factories to assemble Belarusian machinery and products has been agreed upon, indicating that Belarus began to export food materials to Syria and means of providing Syrian people’s needs of medicines for chronic diseases were also discussed.
Vovk noted to Belarus’ intention to participate in the rebuilding of Syria, expressing interest in importing Syrian products such as cotton, phosphate and agricultural items.
A contract to import 157 dump trucks as well as other machineries and spare parts has been signed.
In a similar context, the Board of Directors of Damascus and its Countryside Chamber of Industry met Minister Vovk and the accompanying delegation.
The meeting touched upon means of boosting cooperation in importing machines, equipment and raw materials necessary for developing the industry sector in Syria.
The two sides also discussed exporting Syrian products and goods to the Belarusian markets, establishing joint industrial projects and rehabilitating industrial facilities.
Chairman of the Board of the Damascus and Damascus Countryside Chamber of Industry Samer al- Debs reviewed systematic destruction of industrial areas at the hands of terrorist groups, not to mention the unjust unilateral procedures taken by European states against Syria.
He also highlighted the local market and industrial facilities’ needs of raw materials required in different industries such as medicines, food products and infant milk.
Al-Debs invited the Belarusian companies to take part in Damascus International Fair set to be held in August, expressing hope that the cooperation between the two countries would further increase.
Deputy Chairman of the Chamber Mohammad Sahar called for providing a database of trade, industrial and investment opportunities in Belarus, indicating the importance of encouraging Belarusian imports and contribution to the rehabilitation of several industrial areas damaged due to terrorism.
Enhancing cooperation in engineering and textiles industries and establishing joint projects were also discussed.
Head of the Syrian side to the Joint Syrian-Belarusian Business Council Imad Ma’atouq said that a delegation of Syrian industrialists and exporters will be formed to visit Belarus, closely inspect trade and investment opportunities and hold talks with Belarusian side to overcome obstacles hindering funds transfer between the two countries
For his part, Minister Vovk stressed readiness to deal with all issues that would help know more about the resources and capabilities of the two countries and further enhance economic and trade cooperation between them.
Prospects of agricultural cooperation and providing requirements of agricultural sector such as machinery, engineering equipment, tractors and tanks were discussed in a meeting between Minister of Agriculture and Agrarian Reform Ahmad al-Qadri and Vovk.
Al-Qadri said that Syria is seeking new markets to sell its agricultural products to the friendly countries after the closure of land crossings.
In turn, Vovk expressed Belarus’ readiness to propose new offers for agricultural machinery including tractors and harvesters, adding that a joint committee will convene every six months to study the needs of agricultural sector.
R.Raslan/Mazen
