Damascus: Minister of Industry, Trade and Supply Yarub Qudah met in Damascus with Syrian Minister of Economy and Industry, Nidal Shaar, to discuss ways to enhance bilateral economic cooperation and address barriers to the flow of goods between the two countries.
According to Jordan News Agency, the ministers agreed to open import and export channels between the two countries for all goods, based on the principle of reciprocity, starting next year. This initiative is expected to boost the trade volume and offer greater opportunities for both the public and private sectors in the two countries.
Qudah emphasized the necessity to accelerate measures to increase trade volume and enhance cooperation in sectors such as industry, agriculture, energy, and transport. He highlighted the need to stimulate the private sector and pointed out the opportunities that can be harnessed to expand the economic partnership between Jordan and Syria. Since the political change in Syria, Jordan has extended support to the Syrian market by providing goods, facilitating the transit of Syrian goods and trucks through the Kingdom, among other assistance.
He also highlighted the importance of expediting trade and revitalizing a joint free zone to enhance its investment appeal. An understanding was reached to activate a previously signed free trade agreement between the two countries. Qudah suggested that Jordan could play a key role in Syria's reconstruction, potentially becoming a logistical hub for this purpose.
On his part, the Syrian minister emphasized the need to streamline customs procedures and improve trade infrastructure to increase the efficiency of bilateral trade. He also called for closer cooperation between the public and private sectors in Syria and Jordan to benefit both economies.