Iraqi commodities market opens in Damascus

Under the patronage of the Syrian Minister of Economy. Muhammad al-Imadi, a marketing exposition for Iraqi commodities was opened at the Damascus International Fair city. It will continue until February 20.

The opening ceremony was attended by Syrian economists concerned, and the Iraqi side was attended by the director of the Iraqi trade center, Amer Saleh Shehab.

Shehab said the exposition includes several Iraqi national industries, and the exposition aims at acquainting Syrian consumers with the various types of Iraqi commodities.

Concerning trade exchange with Syria, Shehab added that Iraq always tried to increase trade exchange relations with Syria especially during the two past years. He added that commercial exchange between the two states reached by the end of 1999 US $300 million, adding there is an extra increase in this volume of exchange by US $10 million and another US $8 million for contracts in medicines.

Shehab continued that despite the critical conditions Iraq suffers, some 40% of Iraq's foreign trade relations are with the Arab states, foremost being Egypt, Jordan, Tunisia and Syria.