Syrian-US business council established
Syria-USA, Economics, 12/9/1999

The chairman of the federation of the Syrian chambers of commerce, Rateb al-Shallah, told the London-based al-Hayat daily that the visit of a Syrian economic delegation to the US last week had laid "the solid grounds" for developing Syrian-US economic relations, including the establishment of a joint business council.

He indicated that a US delegation will visit Damascus next May. This will be in reply to the first visit carried out by Syrian representatives of the private sector to the US, the first in several decades.

Well-informed sources also told al-Hayat that the Syrian delegation met during its visit, which started on November 29, with the US under secretary of state for the Middle east affairs, Martin Indyk; his successor, Edward Walker; other officials at the US Department of Commerce; and the representatives of tens of companies interested in the Syrian market.

Al-Shallah quoted Walker as saying his country "imposes on Syria technical measures rather than sanctions" and that, "Measures are taking some time, but it does not prevent dealing with Syria."

He explained that there is a misunderstanding in the minds of certain US businessmen in that they treat equally Syria and other countries on the American list of countries sponsoring terrorism in the implication of economic sanctions on these countries. Al-Shallah quoted the American officials saying "there are no sanctions imposed on Syria, rather certain technical measures that make certain contracts in need of an official licensing."

The well-informed sources noted that the American officials "hinted that relations will be greatly developed and that measures will be completely eliminated in light of realizing a progress on the Syrian-Israeli negotiations and the completion of the ME peace process."

Al-Shallah added "we have asserted to the US businessmen that there is no obstacle hindering full cooperation with the US and we have eliminated several points of misunderstanding many of them had."

He elaborated that the council of the businessmen which will be established between the two sides and the visit of the US delegation "will further consolidate the development of bilateral relations in all areas."

Meantime, Abdul Rahman al-Attar ( a remarkable Syrian businessman ) who took part with other 13 businessmen in the visit, said that some 50 American companies "showed great interest in working in the Syrian market."

Previous Stories:
  On the visit of the Syrian economic delegation to the US   (12/2/1999)
  US to establish a business center in Damascus   (11/29/1999)
  Report: Syrian ambassador's term extended to resume contacts on negotiations   (11/11/1999)

Please add a link on your webiste pointing to ArabicNews.com and bookmark ArabicNews.com & subscribe to our daily email news bulletin.

Search