Transport Investments in Syria to exceed 150 billions S. P

Minister of Transport Makram Obeid said Wednesday that the volume of governmental investments expected during the upcoming 10th five-year plan in Syria will exceed 150 billions S.P. among which 90 billions S.P. will be available to the private sector to participate in.

"The transport private sector contribution to the total gross domestic production GDP has increased from 9% in the year 2000 to 13% in 2004 and the annual growth has reached 6%," Minister Obeid added in an opening speech to the first World Transportation Forum opened in Damascus.

Participants at the Forum stressed the importance of transportation sector in achieving an Arab economic integration and a joint Arab market, calling for overcoming all obstacles that hinder transportation through improving the level of its performance.

A number of international and regional transportation organizations, aviation, cargo, land transportation, railways and insurance companies are taking part in the 4-day forum which is organized by the Arab Exhibitions Company.