Syria - Qatar agree on establishing a free trade zone

Qatar and Syria agreed on establishing a free trade zone between them within the framework of the Arab League's Free Trade Zone agreement.

Ali Hassan El-Khalaf, manager of the economic affairs department in the Qatari economy and finance ministry said that completing this zone will take place through a gradual application to the exemptions on goods produced in the two states by an amount of 50% starting from January the 1st at 2001 and 70% in the 1st of January of 2002 of 100% in beginning of 2003.

He said the Qatari - Syrian agreement is based on previous executive program for the free trade zone within the framework of the economic and social council for the Arab League's council for year 1998.

The agreement calls for immediate exemption of animal and agricultural goods as well as natural resources and other customs and taxes related provisions to promote trade.