Syria - Turkey Free Trade Zone to be signed

Syria's Minister of Economy and Trade, Amer Loutfi has stressed the importance of economic relations with Turkey particularly after the expected signing of the Free Trade Zone which is to take place during the forthcoming visit of Turkish Prime Minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan to Syria.

Duing his talks with Turkish Minister of State For Planning Affairs, Ahmet Tektek yesterday, Loutfi said the signing of the agreement will coincide with Syria's signing of the association agreement with the European Union where Turkey will be the gate for Syria to Europe while Syria will be the gate for Turkey to the Arab states.

Tektek reviewed the march of the Turkish economy since the sixties. He stressed that relations with Syria are witnessing distinguished era of growth where Turkish businessmen are giving priority in field of tourism and in other trade spheres with Syrian side.

Meantime, Chairman of the State Planning Commission Abdullah al-Darderi signed on Wednesday with Tektek a memo of understanding between the Syria and Turkey included cooperation in the field of exchanging information, researches and planning study.

The memo also provide for cooperation between the Syrian and Turkish planning commissions in fields of strategic and regional planning, encouraging investment projects in both countries through exchanging visits of experts, counselors, and technicians.

Al-Dardari stressed the importance of developing the policies of economy as well as private and foreign investments in both Syria and Turkey.

"we should develop the total economy and the private and foreign investments in our countries to get benefit from the joint Free Trade Zone which will be established very soon" he said. For his part Tektek pointed out at the main role that the two planning commissions play in enhancing and improving the level of relationships between the two countries.

"both commissions have the ability to financially support the mutual projects between the two countries which will be reflected positively on many fields" Tektek added.