Damascus – Syria and Italy signed on Saturday a number of memos of understanding in the fields of industry, trade, agriculture and transport.

Minister of Industry Fuad Issa al-Joni, Chairman of the Federation of Syrian Chambers of Industry Imad Ghrewati and President of the Italian Trade Commission Umberto Vattani signed a memo of understanding on establishing the Italian Technological Center.

The memo was validated by Syrian Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Abdullah al-Dardari and Italian Minister of Economic Development Claudio Scajola.

A memo of understanding for bolstering cooperation between the Agency for the Development and Promotion of Syrian Exports and the Italian Trade Commission was signed by Director of the Agency Hussam al-Yusef and Vattani.

The two sides also signed the joint declaration on the participation of Syria in Milano Expo 2015. The decalaration was signed by al-Dardari, Director of the Public Establishment for International Fairs and ExhibitionsPublic Establishment for International Fairs and Exhibitions Mohammad Hammoud, Scajola and Government Official for Milano Expo 2015 Letizia Moratti, and Vattani.

In a press conference following the signing, al-Dardari said that bolstering cooperation between the two countries is part of Syria's policy of developing relations with European countries.

He noted that important projects are being carried out in the fields of industrial and agricultural modernization and technical and financial cooperation, with focus on modernizing agricultural exports, developing industry, funding small and medium-sized industrial projects, providing Italian technology, among other fields related to irrigation and transport.

Al-Dardari also said that Syria is restudying the Syrian-European Partnership Agreement and its effects on Syrian economy with care.

For his part, Scajola underlined the importance of economic openness and reform in Syria which led to achieving economic development. He also pointed out to the economic and commercial relations between Syria and Italy, noting that exports increased by 10.5% in 2008 in comparison to 2007, amounting to over 1 billion Euros.

Scajola affirmed his country's desire to increase investments in Syria in various fields such as technology and tourism and expand cooperation in technical training, in addition to cooperation in exporting agricultural products.

He also stressed the importance of signing the Syrian-European Partnership Agreement, and that Syria has the right to study it.

Earlier, the two sides held talks and discussed the aspects of economic cooperation between the two countries and Italian investments in Syria, in addition to discussing the industrial modernization project, and the Green Road project for packaging Syrian agricultural products by Italian companies in order to export them to Europe.

The two sides also discussed the future of the banking sector in Syria, the possibility of opening Italian banks and founding micro-funding establishments. Other issues include bolstering the role of Italian companies in the field of railroads and electric energy.

Trade exchange between Italy and Syria in 2008 amounted to SP 94 billion, constituting 20% of Syria's trade exchange with the European Union. Italia is Syria's primary trade partner in Europe.

The value of joint projects that were signed by the two countries is estimated at around Euro 1.3 billion.

By H. Sabbagh / Kh. Aridi

© SANA (Syria Arab News Agency) 2009

 

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