Damascus, (SANA) – Director of International Cooperation at the Ministry of Economy and Trade Rima al-Qadri stated on Wednesday that the Ministry has signed several of economic, commercial and investment cooperation agreements with a number Arab and foreign countries during the first half of 2008.

In a statement to SANA, al-Qadri affirmed that the Ministry continues to discuss the possibility of signing more agreements for cooperation and mutual protection of investments with several other countries in Europe, Asia and Africa.

She pointed out that the Ministry has reached an understanding regarding a draft agreement for mutual encouragement and protection of investment with the Czech Republic, and that similar talks with the Malaysian side are progressing and will lead to signing an agreement soon, adding that correspondence with Kazakhstan is ongoing to reach an understanding regarding a commercial and economic cooperation agreement.

Al-Qadri added that mutual encouragement and protection of investment agreements with Switzerland and Cyprus have already been approved by both sides, and have been in effect since February 2008. A similar agreement with Tajikistan was approved by the Syrian side  and awaits the approval of the Tajikistani side, while a corresponding agreement with Russia was recently approved by the Russian side.

She went on to say that studies were made regarding the feasibility of establishing a free trade zone with Malaysia, and the studies have been given to the Malaysian side along with a report detailing the results of the meetings of the Syrian-Malaysian Trade Committee.

The Director pointed out that a mutual encouragement and protection of investment was signed between Syria and India during President Bashar al-Assad's recent visit to India, and that the agreement is being approved along with a similar agreement with Romania.

Al-Qadri underlined the Ministry's active participation in joint committees during the first half of 2008, including the Syrian-Iranian Follow Up Committee, the Syrian-Greek Committee, the Syrian-Belarusian Joint Committee, the Syrian-Iranian Joint Ministerial Committee, and the Syrian-Turkish Partnership Council.

She concluded by stating that the Ministry is preparing for the meetings of the Syrian-Armenian Joint Committee, the Syrian-Korean Committee, and the Syrian-Cypriot Committee, which will take place before the end of 2008, adding that they are also preparing to hold several activities with international organizations, such as the business environment simplification program and the trade bolstering program.

H. Sabbagh / Mazen