Damascus - Minister of Transport Dr. Mahmud Ibrahim Saeed said that the Ministry is working to issue new legislations regarding all transportation sectors for facilitating the movement of persons, goods and transit.
In an interview given to SANA, the Minister pointed out that the projects of public transportation between the cities and inside them are one of the priorities of the Ministry, adding that the Ministry is working on restructuring its institutions.
The Minister expressed his keenness on issuing more legislations that govern the transport sector, adding that the project of suburb train lines will link several area in Damascus and its Countryside.
He said that the studies for the suburb train lines are almost ready and waiting for funding, adding that restructuring the directorate of road transport will contribute to the development of transporting goods by trucks by depending on a fleet belonging to the Ministry or allowing the private sector to participate.
Saeed stressed that the Ministry is reconsidering the legislations of land transport to meet the Syrian market's needs, and that there are several projects to establish dry docks for reducing congestion in marine ports.
The Minister pointed out that the railway network was not competitive in the transport field because of the slowness of trains, adding that despite this the network played an economic role in transporting mineral resources, oil derivatives and grain.
He pointed out that the ministry is working to prepare a draft law to create a suitable environment for new investors to enter the air transport field and establish partnerships with Syrian Air, adding that there are several plans for expanding Damascus International Airport.
The Minister stressed that Syrian Air is working on overcoming the shortcomings resulting from blocking SITA service for tickets booking, pointing out that Syrian Air suffered much due to the economic blockade.
Saeed explained that the Ministry is working to solve the banking difficulties facing the implementation of signed contracts for buying Ukrainian plans, adding that the economic sanctions affected the work of Syrian ships as a results of increasing fees for marine transport headed to Syria.
© SANA (Syria Arab News Agency) 2013
