Sanaa, (SANA)- Syrian and Yemeni officials discussed on Tuesday means to set up a joint executive program to enhance agricultural integration.

During a meeting with Yemeni Deputy Prime Minister for Internal Affairs Sadiq Abu Ras in the Yemeni capital of Sanaa, Chairman of the Syrian Peasants' Union (SPU) Hammad Abboud al-Saoud, heading a Syrian agricultural delegation, stressed the need to set a schedule for the implementation of signed agreements and protocols for utmost benefit for both countries.

"The main goal of this visit is to sign the executive program of a cooperation protocol inked recently in Damascus," al-Saoud said, hoping this would help develop agricultural and economic relations to a higher level.

Abu Ras and al-Saoud voiced satisfaction over the level of bilateral coordination which was further consolidated with the twinning between the SPU and the Yemeni Agricultural Cooperative Union (YACU).

The Syrian delegation members also held cooperation talks with the Yemeni Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation Mansour al-Houshabi and the YACU Chairman Mohammad Bashir.

Discussions focused on finding practical means to solve the problems of drought and desertification, the main challenges facing agriculture in the two countries.

Both sides agreed to start joint projects in the fields of exchanging expertise and improving products movement and marketing process to help increase the effectiveness of agricultural development and its contribution to the growing trade volume between Syria and Yemen.

Trade exchange between Syria and Yemen increased in 2009 to YER 13. 668 billion (I USD = 227. 4857 REA), compared with YER 12. 672 billion in 2008. In 2009, Syria had a favorable balance of trade with Yemen valued at YER 618 million.

H. Said /MO