Damascus, (SANA) - Syrian-Iranian Ministerial Committee started here on Tuesday in preparation for the 12th session of the Syrian-Iranian Higher Committee due on April 28-29th.

Minister of Trade and Economy Lamia Assi, head of the Syrian side to the Ministerial Committee said developing trade dealings between the two countries is a priority for the two sides, adding the meetings will pave the way for laying out a mechanism for raising the trade exchange volume and removing obstacles before it.

Means of enhancing cooperation between the two countries in trade, investment and projects of the Iranian companies in Syria are also on the agenda, as well as finding solutions to problems hindering the performance of these companies.

Iranian Minister of Housing and Urban Development Ali Nikzad expressed Iran's readiness to exchange scientific and technical expertise with Syria in all fields in the interest of the growing relations between Syria and Iran.

He also highlighted the importance of banking cooperation and the speedy establishment of a Syrian-Iranian bank in Syria, which will be an important step for Syrian and Iranian businessmen.

Talks on Developing Syrian-Iranian Industrial Relations

Minister of Industry Fouad Issa al-Joni discussed with Iranian Minister of Housing and Urban Development Ali Nikzad and the accompanying delegation means for bolstering and developing industrial relations between the two countries.

Minister al-Joni reviewed the joint industrial projects between the two countries, such as the manufacture of cars, cement, steel, iron, medicine, tractors and chemicals.

He affirmed that his ministry is working to localize the manufacture of car parts in Syria, calling on Iranian companies to establish such projects in Syria as the ministry will work to provide incentives and facilitations to encourage this industry.

The Minister also focused on developing cooperation in manufacturing diabetic food medicine, affirming his ministry's readiness to establish a joint plant for producing it.

For his part, Nikzad affirmed his country's desire to bolster industrial relations, establish joint projects and benefit from mutual expertise.

He called for overcoming all obstacles hindering joint projects, affirming his side's commitment to supporting the projects carried out in Syria.

The two sides agreed to discuss issues of mutual interest in detail during the next two days during the meetings of the Syrian-Iranian Higher Committee.

Syria, Iran Discuss Housing Cooperation

In a similar meeting, Minister of Housing and Construction Omar Ghalawenji discussed with Nikzad and the accompanying delegation means of cooperation and exchanging expertise between Syria and Iran.

Ghalawenji underlined the importance of establishing a number of projects to exchange expertise and organize educational and training courses, stressing the necessity of activating the signed memos of understanding between the two countries and bolstering partnerships.

He added that law of real-estate development works to create a flexible, legislative environment that can deal with economic and the social changes, in addition to meeting the needs of housing sector.

For his part, Nikzad stressed the necessity of cooperation and coordination to achieve the two countries' mutual goals and reach positive and fruitful results.

He also highlighted Iran's readiness to exchange scientific and technical expertise in different field to enhance Syrian-Iranian economic and commercial relations.

Manal Ismael / al-Ibrahim / H. Sabbagh / I. al-Kazhali