Syrian- Swiss economic relations highlighted

Minister of Economy and Trade Ghassan al-Refaee discussed with Swiss senior officials, businessmen and international organizations means of enhancing economic and trade cooperation between Syria and the Swiss Union and prospects of future cooperation.

During his current visit to Switzerland, Refaee discussed with Swiss Minister of Economy Joseph Dice and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs Jean Daniel Girper the importance of developing bilateral relations between the two countries, activating agreements on encouraging and protecting mutual investment prevention of double taxation and concluding agreement on free trade between Syria and the IFTA states (Swiss, Norway, Iceland, Linshtin).

During the meeting, they reviewed the economic situation in both countries and future prospects of cooperation with the Swiss side to enhance the development process in Syria.

They also discussed the possibility of benefiting of the Swiss experience in order to meet Syria's future requirements according to the Syrian-EU Association partnership agreement that is expected to be signed in the near future and the preparation of Syria's joining the World Trade Organization.

Refaee also reviewed the economic situation and investment climate in Syria, where the positive development that the Syrian economy and investment are witnessing is stressed.

He invited the Swiss businessmen to visit Syria in order to get acquainted with economic and investment climate in Syria.

Refaee also handed Deputy General-Director of the Intellectual Property Protection Organization Jeffery Yu a document on Syria's ratification of joining the International Organization Agreement of Intellectual Property Protection.