Experts probe Sea Link Between Arab Mashreq and Maghreb

Experts from Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco and Syria are holding in Damascus since Saturday a meeting on the possibility of establishing a sea link servicing the Arab Mashreq (east) and the Arab Maghreb (West).

The decision, meant to activate inter-Arab trade exchanges, was adopted by Moroccan, Syrian and Jordanian ministers of transports and merchant navy who signed to this effect a memorandum of understanding in November 2001.

Syrian transports minister, Makram Oubaid, said the sea transport means is likely to promote Arab cooperation and integration and called for special arrangements to Arab ships anchoring in Arab ports. He also proposed the creation of a data bank, a web site and a communication office to foster coordination between Arab ports.

In 2001, Morocco's trade with Syria conducted by sea stood at 144,000 tons while exports through the sea were valued at 35,528 tons.