Banking fair, Investment prospects in Syria, Banking

Syria's Minister of Economy and Foreign Trade Ghassan Rifaee inaugurated yesterday the First Fair of Banks, Banking Equipment and Free Zones ( Batex 2003 ) at Damascus International Fair's land.

Present at the opening ceremony were Supply and Internal Trade Minister Bassam Rustom, chairman of the federation of the Syrian chambers of commerce, Rateb al-Shallah, and a number of Syrian bankers and businessmen.

In a statement to SANA correspondent, Rifaee stressed that this fair gives a big opportunity to recognize the modern programs and technologies that are related to banks.

It will share in developing the expertise and will give a chance for competition among financial firms in order to run with the modern requirement, he added.

The symposium of "Investment prospects in Syria, Banking and Free Zones" which was organized by al-Salam Company for Exhibitions in cooperation with the Syrian-Lebanese Businessmen Council was opened on Thursday.

The symposium is held on the margin of the exhibition. Rateb al-Shalah said that the issuance of the Decree No. /33/ which cancelled the Degrees No. 6, and 24, regarding the dealing with foreign currencies and precious metals is considered a typical move regarding encouraging investment in Syria.