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Bold 5 Fold Boost
Iran’s First Vice President, Mohammad-Reza Aref, in ceremonies
marking “Syria Day” in
Iran called attention to the growing desire for expanding
relations between
Iran and
Syria and said
Tehran is eager to boost the level of cooperation with
Damascus.
In his speech to the
Syrian delegation and those partaking in the ceremony, he called for more
deliberation and exchange of information and political and economic
delegations in view of the complex situation existing in the region. He said
the visit of the Syrian Prime Minister and his accompanying economic
delegation tells of a promising future of cooperation between the two
countries.
He then went over
Iran’s scientific and technical capabilities in the fields of dam
and power plant construction, parts manufacturing, communications, oil and gas
industries to be tapped in
Tehran –
Damascus relations. He pointed to the five-fold increase in trade
cooperation and the allocation of a $50 million credit line by
Iran for
Syria, to set the grounds for fruitful cooperation and exchange
between both countries’ private sectors. He announced the desire of Iranian
experts and contractors to undertake projects in
Syria.
Syria’s Deputy Prime Minster in Economic Affairs, Mohammad
Alhussein, acknowledged that the trade and economic cooperation between
Tehran and
Damascus lacks the maturity of their political relations. While
recognizing a great capacity and potential for expansion in relations, he said
Iran and
Syria must endeavor to establish bilateral relations with the view
to the prowess of the two sides.
Alhussein called for the creation of joint
private-sector companies and reiterated the private sector’s important role in
fulfilling the wishes of the people and governments of
Iran and
Syria. He then called on Iranian investors, merchants and
industry-owners to participate in
Syria’s economic projects and confirmed the security of
investments guaranteed by the Syrian government. |
