GAZIANTEP - Aleppo Trade Chamber Chairman Salih Al Mallah said on Monday that Syria wanted to further improve its relations with Turkey.
Speaking in a meeting with Gaziantep Trade Chamber (GTO), Mallah said that they also wanted to see Turkish investors in Syria.
Noting that Syria was in a new economic reconstruction process, Mallah said that efforts continued to improve all institutions, particularly banks needed by foreign businessmen in Syria.
Mallah said the aim of their visit to Gaziantep was to sign trade and investment agreements with GTO, adding that his country was very attractive for Turkish investors.
''We launch efforts to improve our relations with Turkey. We are ready to provide all sorts of facilities to you for improvement of our relations. We want to further improve our economic relations. We want to benefit from the experience and technology of Turkey,'' said Mallah.
Mallah noted that Syrian President Bashar Asad's visit to Turkey was planned for January 2004, adding that the visit would speed up the bilateral relations.
GTO Chairman Mehmet Aslan said in his part that a free trade agreement had to be signed first between the two countries to reach the desired level in relations.
''Another issue that need to be dealt with is Syria's applying customs duties to Turkish products which reach 40 percent. This rate has to be decreased to improve mutual trade. When these needs are met, the solution of other small problems will be easier,'' he said.
Gaziantep Industry Chamber Speaker Mehmet Ozmen proposed Syria's opening a consulate in Gaziantep for improvement of economic relations between Gaziantep and Aleppo.
After the speeches, Turkish and Syrian businessmen started to hold meetings.
(Öª-AÖ) 29.12.2003