Damascus, (SANA) – Minister of  Economy and Trade Lamia Murei Assi on Monday discussed with Turkish businessmen of Aegean Chamber of Industry bilateral economic relations and ways of boosting them.

 "The meeting is an opportunity to know more about the Turkish businessmen's suggestions regarding appropriate ways of enhancing the two countries trade and economy through activating agreements and memos of understanding already signed," Minister Assi said.

 She called for working hard to find prompt solutions to the obstacles in a way that serves the interests of the two countries. For his part, Head of the Businessmen Council to the Syrian side Abdul Qader Sabra, pointed out to the distinctive launch of the council, underlining the importance of informing the Syrian side of any problem that might hinder work process.

 The Turkish delegation, comprising more than twenty companies, reviewed business between the two countries, pointing out to the tangible development of trade exchange volume valued at SP two billions.

 Earlier, a delegation of businessmen representing the Turkish Aegean Area Chamber of Commerce discussed with their Syrian counterparts ways of boosting cooperation in trade, industrial, and investment spheres, and launching ventures of joint cooperation .

 Chairman of the Syrian Chambers of Commerce Union , Ghassan Qallaa said that the Syrian –Turkish relations had taken giant strides in economic and trade relations of cooperation , stressing the necessity of boosting these relations through the establishment of joint companies and launching joint investments in both countries in the industrial domains , utilizing Syria's membership in the Greater Arab Free Trade Area, GAFTA, for the flow of the duty-free manufactured goods through the Arab markets .

For his part, Chairman of the Syrian Chambers of Industry Union , Emad Ghraiwati described Syria as a fertile land for investment in all domains , and said that a delegation of Syrian businessmen is scheduled to visit Turkey in the few coming days and will discuss ways of launching joint ventures and boosting trade exchange between the two countries.

 Head of the Syrian –Turkish Businessmen Council, Abdul-Kadder Sabra , indicted that setting up the High –Level strategic cooperation council between the two countries has given strong momentum to the relations and to the basis of economic integration between the two countries.

 For his part, Chairman of the Turkish Aegean Area Chamber of Industry and Commerce ,Ender Yorgancilar called on for boosting the standing historical relations between the two countries through cooperation between businessmen of both countries.

 He indicated that the Turkish Aegean area contributes with 15 percent to the Turkish exports. The Syrian –Turkish High –Level Cooperation Council singed . 51 agreements , memos of understanding and cooperation documents in various fields last year.

 The trade volume between the two countries reached USD 2 billions last year , and Turkish investments come first among the foreign investments in Syria.

 Rasha Milhem / Mazen /idelbi