Damascus, (SANA) – Ministry of Economy and Trade in cooperation with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) on Thursday launched the Comprehensive Guide to the Agreements of the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Arabic and the website of the WTO department at the Ministry.

Minister of Trade and Economy Lamia Assi pointed out to the steps that Syria has made to push its membership in WTO forward as it has recently gained Observer Status.

She said, "What will be facing us is ensuring our economic and trade interests…Understanding the agreements of the organization and our national interests is basic to determine our national priorities."

Minister Assi indicated that launching the comprehensive guide at a time when Syria's membership in the WTO is being negotiated comes to introduce a clear image of the WTO agreements for the decision makers, economists, academics and parliamentarians.

For his part, UNDP Resident Representative in Syria Ismael Wild al-Sheikh Ahmad said launching the comprehensive guide is one of the most important achievements of the technical cooperation project between the UNDP and the Syrian Ministry of Economy and Trade.

Fadi Allafi /Haifa