ALEPPO - Trade exchange between Syria and Iraq reached USD 2 billion in 2010, and it's expected to reach USD 3 billion by the end of 2011.
The Syrian-Iraqi Business Council is one of the cornerstones of economic relations between the two countries, helping to boost trade and investment exchange between them and inform businessmen and investors of the opportunities and resources available in each country.
The Council's goals include holding conferences and seminars and training courses to keep up with developments and relay expertise, opening new markets for Syrian products and exports and developing them, holding fairs and expos, and exchanging promotion.
In a statement to SANA, member of the Consultative Commission of the Syrian-Iraqi Business Council Hadi Obeid al-Shummari said that he prefers to employ barter trade when dealing with the Syrian side as it saves foreign currency and expanding trade exchange, calling on both countries' governments to provide the necessary facilitations to this end.
Omar Abdullah Khodeir, an Iraqi businessman, called for facilitating procedures on borders and granting visas to Iraqis living in Syria for the purpose of trade.
In turn, Syrian industrialist Michel Mbayyed called for facilitating the flow of goods between the two countries, reducing customs and borders procedures, and eliminating red-tape, stressing the need to establish an infrastructure for holding permanent Syrian expos in Iraq.
For his part, Chairman of Basra Chamber of Commerce Ayad Radi Hasan underlined the difficulties hindering trade between the two countries, calling for resolving them through establishing a true partnership between Syrian and Iraqi businessmen and organizing regular visits.
Member of the Board of Directors of Aleppo Chamber of Commerce Samer Khayyata noted that exports to Iraq dropped relatively due to the Iraqi side's demands that Syrian products undergo tests that are unavailable in Syria, in addition to a number of obstacles and issues hindering the transit of trucks through borders.
In turn, 1st Deputy Chairman of the Syrian-Iraqi Business Council and Chairman of the Mosul Chamber of Commerce Mokbel Seddiq Abdelrahman called for granting special export and import privileges to Council members and reconsidering fees imposed on goods entering either country, in addition to dealing with the issues of real estate ownership, joint projects, visas, banking procedures and trade litigation.
For his part, Syrian Customs consultant Shahdat Haidar said that Syrian Customs give special care to Syrian-Iraqi relations, facilitating the flow of goods between the two countries through a number of decisions, stressing the they are committed to taking all steps to facilitate and improve trade between the two countries.
In turn, member of the Board of Directors of Aleppo Chamber of Commerce Hussam el-Din Farwati stressed the depth of bilateral relations between Syria and Iraqi and the need to overcome obstacles related to borders procedures and reduce fees.
Discussions during the meeting of the Syrian-Iraqi Business Council which took place on Saturday in Aleppo focused on the need to facilitate entry and exit procedures for trucks and permitting them to move within Syria and access all areas and harbors, in addition to underlining the need to hold joint expos and increase flights between Aleppo and Baghdad.
© SANA (Syria Arab News Agency) 2011