Damascus, (SANA)-Germany is a key economic partner for Syria, Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Abdullah al-Dardari said on Tuesday.

Speaking at the Syrian-German Businessmen Council which kicked off in Damascus, al-Dardari invited German businessmen to benefit from the investment opportunities made available by the 11th five-year plan.

Head of the Syrian side at the Council Omar Karkour presented future plans for developing economic relations with Germany and increasing trade exchange.

State Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Technology Bernd Pfaffenbach said in a statement "Germany is seeking to boost economic relations with Syria which enjoys a special importance in the Middle East given its strategic position."

Trade exchange between Syria and Germany amounted to 1.1 billion Euros in 2008. Over 15 institutions and 50 experts from Germany are working in Syria in the fields of development, higher education and cultural cooperation.

Earlier, Prime Minister Mohammad Naji Otri discussed with Pfaffenbach the appropriate business environment in Syria and the financial facilitations provided by the government in this regard.

For his part, Pfaffenbach hailed the economic reform process and the suitable investment atmosphere in Syria, expressing his country's desire to broaden investment projects and activities in Syria.

Haifa Said /Idelbi