ISTANBUL - Turkish and Syrian businessmen will come together in Syria in April.
Turkey`s Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEIK) would bring the businessmen of the two countries together in Damascus on April 26th-27th, a statement of the board said on Monday. Turkish-Syrian Economic Forum will also be held there under the auspices of Prime Minister Naji Otri.
Turkish Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan, State Minister Kursad Tuzmen, Syrian Deputy PM Abdallah al-Dardari, Syrian Minister of Economy & Trade Amir Husni Lutfi and Syrian Minister of Industry Fuad Isa Juni are expected to participate in the forum.
Syrian President Bashar al-Asad paid a visit to Ankara in the last quarter of 2007 and pledged to cooperate with Turkey in many areas, whereas Deputy Prime Minister al-Dardari visited Turkey after al-Asad and discussed economic topics.
During the forum in Damascus, Turkish and Syrian businessmen will discuss problems encountered in areas such as border crossings, banking, public tenders, investments, trade and highways.
Syria is ranked 63rd in national income per capita rating in the world, and 10th among Arab countries.
In January 2007 Syria put into force a number of facilities to simplify transactions and to draw more foreign investments.
Turkey and Syria enacted a free trade agreement in January 1st, 2007-- which speeded up bilateral relations. Two countries signed the said agreement during Turkish Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan`s visit to Syria on December 22nd-23rd, 2004.
(BRC-ULG)