Syrian minister outlines Syria's outstanding policy at DIF's opening
Syria, Education, 8/30/2000

In a speech he delivered on Monday's evening on behalf of President Bashar al-Assad at the 47th session of the Damascus International fair DIF, the Syrian minister of the economy and foreign trade Muhammad al-Imadi said that the Damascus International Fair, the venue of contact between Syria, the participating countries and companies and guests and visitors aims at promoting trade exchange and development cooperation.

It exhibits new production technologies and modern technologies and modern methods, and illustrates the experiences of other countries in dealing with their economic issues. The Fair is also a forum for showing the development process in our country, and for acquainting guests and visitors with our achievements, economic policies and their prospects of growth.

He added that in his address to the people's Assembly, when he was sworn into office, President Bashar al-Assad outlined the basic principles of the process of growth, development, construction and modernization of our country.

He said that education became free at all levels and compulsory in its elementary stage, when books are also given gratis. Plans were introduced to train teachers and computer courses were organized.

Technical education expanded until the goal of absorbing seventy percent of the students of the intermediate stage was attained. During the past thirty years, the number of schools, students and teachers increased at very high rates, 250% for schools, 300% for students and 620 % for teachers.

He added that higher education opened the gates of universities and intermediate institutes to receive a large number of students in accordance with the principles of absorption. The number of colleges increased to 51, while the number of students increased from 38,000 to two hundred thousand. Higher studies were introduced in the universities, and training hospitals were attacked to them. Thousands of students were sent abroad to obtain the science disciplines not available in the country. Cultural knowledge was disseminated in the country, Arab values and principles were promoted and archaeological excavations uncovered artistic and creative achievements of our people from the past. Urban centers and civilizations were discovered in our homeland from ancient times. The knowledge that emerged from these discoveries proves that our country was the cradle of mankind and the birth place of language and writing.

Al-Imadi added that the state also cherished the health of its citizens.

The numbers of doctors and hospitals multiplied, the rates of mortality decreased and life expectancy rose to seventy years.

Institutions of social welfare were developed and athletic cities and sport centers were furnished with the most modern sport equipment.

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