Damascus: Vice President Farouk al-Shara and South Africa's Vice-President Kgalema Motlanthe concluded on Friday their official talks by evaluating the positive results of these talks and the prospects they opened for developing relations between the two friendly countries in various fields.
Motlanthe expressed appreciation of the correctness of the viewpoints and stances affirmed by President Bashar al-Assad during their meeting, stressing the need for bolstering the standing cooperation between the two countries and pushing them forward in the various political, economic and commercial fields to match their history.
He also underlined the importance of exchanging delegations and visits on various levels and finding the suitable formulas for developing standing relations into a practical reality.
Motlanthe and the accompanying delegation left Damascus on Friday afternoon after a three-day official visit to Syria.
Earlier on Friday, Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Abdullah al-Dardari discussed Motlanthe the economic ties between the two countries and means of enhancing them.
Al-Dardari underlined Syria's interest in cooperating with South Africa in scientific research and technology transfer, especially with regards to energy and mining, calling for establishing a direct airline between the two countries to facilitate the movement of people and goods, in addition to encouraging tourism.
The Deputy prime Minister referred to forming a committee bringing together a number of bodies concerned to discuss means of enhancing economic cooperation with South Africa and to suggest executive programs for plans and future cooperation programs.
Al-Dardari made a review of the development and economic reforms in Syria and their role in enhancing cooperation relations with the world countries, calling upon businessmen from both sides to be introduced to the investment opportunities and the favorable investment atmosphere in Syria.
He highlighted the investment and economic potential that Syria possesses and its geographical position qualifying it to be a gate to the Arab region in various economic fields, adding that cooperation prospects between the two countries are numerous.
Motlanthe expressed South Africa's desire to develop economic relations with Syria and identify cooperation opportunities among companies and businessmen from the two countries to upgrade the level of future cooperation.
On a different note, the launching of the Syrian-South African Business Council was declared, aimed at enhancing economic cooperation and increasing trade exchange volume.
Head of the Syrian side at the Syrian-South African Business Council Najib Barakat stressed readiness for cooperation with South Africa, mainly in the sectors of energy, infrastructure, money and communications, noting the role of the Council in building economic relations.
Head of the South African side Faisal Motlikar referred to the two sides' agreement upon exchanging visits, information, participation in expos and conferences to vitalize bilateral relations in trade and investment spheres.
He added that a visit by the Syrian businessmen to South Africa early next year was agreed upon to broaden cooperation prospects.
By M. Ismael / Haifa / H. Sabbagh
© SANA (Syria Arab News Agency) 2010
