Tehran-Sana
Discussions of the Forum for the Development of Syrian-Iranian Economic and Trade Relations in Tehran today focused on strengthening and developing joint cooperation between the two countries to serve their interests in light of the unilateral coercive Western economic measures they are subjected to.
The forum was held with the participation of the private sector and economic activists from Syria and Iran in the Iran Chamber of Commerce and was organized by the Iranian Joint Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Minerals and Agriculture and the Iranian-Syrian Joint Chamber of Commerce.
In his speech during the forum, Adviser to Iranian First Vice President Abbas Akbari called for taking practical and executive steps through a well-studied road map to expand economic and trade relations between the two countries in light of the pressures they are exposed to.
Akbari said: "We must work to overcome difficulties and obstacles, facilitate procedures, activate free trade zones, and establish joint projects in various fields, and this falls on the shoulders of Syrian and Iranian businessmen to make double efforts in this regard."
In turn, the head of the Iranian Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, Gholamhossein Shafei, pointed out that the Iranian private sector is ready to cooperate in the process of reconstruction, economic activities, infrastructure rehabilitation, improving the conditions of the industrial and mining sectors, road construction, technical and engineering services, joint investments, building dams, and strengthening cooperation in the areas of water and sanitation. and power stations in Syria.
For his part, the head of the Iranian-Syrian Joint Chamber of Commerce, Kiwan Kashifi, announced that the volume of Iranian exports to Syria had doubled, considering that the two countries could export their products to the region and make maximum use of the capabilities and capabilities of its market through joint cooperation.
In turn, the head of the Syrian delegation to the forum, the head of the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and the President of the Damascus Chamber of Commerce, Muhammad Abu Al-Huda Al-Lahham, stressed the need to intensify efforts and achieve partnerships in various sectors that would benefit the two countries and work to raise the level of trade and economic relations due to the existence of potentials in both countries.
Al-Lahham stressed that economic cooperation between Syria and Iran constitutes an urgent need and necessity in view of the current inflation in prices and the crises facing the region, stressing the necessity of increasing the volume of trade exchange, especially Syrian exports to Iran, and finding solutions to the difficulties represented in transportation and payment methods due to the sanctions imposed on both countries at the same time. .
For his part, Syria's ambassador to Tehran, Dr. Shafiq Diop, stressed that Syrian-Iranian relations constitute a model for relations between countries, as it not only serves the interests and aspirations of the two peoples and countries, but also security, stability and peace in the entire region.
Ambassador Diop pointed out that the Syrian-Iranian relations have passed many tests and challenges over time, and deliberately shed the blood of martyrs who gave their lives in the fight against Takfiri terrorism and in defense of Syria's unity, sovereignty and independence, stressing Syria's keenness and adherence to developing friendly relations and cooperation with Iran in all fields and its willingness to take the necessary measures to achieve this. The goal is to overcome any obstacles that may arise during the course of joint work and cooperation between the two countries to find creative and innovative solutions to meet the challenges.
In turn, Dr. Muhammad Kashto, head of the Federation of Syrian Chambers of Agriculture, called for finding a plan of action and a mechanism to upgrade economic relations to the level of political relations between the two countries, pointing out that Syria and Iran jointly confronted the fiercest enemy, which is terrorism, which is why they must intensify efforts to confront and overcome the current global food crisis.
For his part, Fahd Darwish, head of the Syrian-Iranian Joint Chamber of Commerce, stressed the importance of convening the forum and coming up with tangible data that meet the needs of the current situation, proposing the abolition of customs duties between the two countries, facilitating the presentation of their products, canceling import restrictions, and finding exhibitions of Syrian products in Iran to support them without paying fees.
The Syrian delegation also included many businessmen, officials and representatives of the Chambers of Industry, Agriculture and Commerce, and representatives of various commercial, economic, food, construction, tourism, religious and banking sectors, in addition to many private sector companies in various fields.
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