Common market for Syria and Egypt

A senior Syrian official said yesterday that an Egyptian-Syrian free trade zone could pave the way for common Arab market.

The zone, expected to be set up early next year, will lead to scrapping customs duties on goods exchanged among the Arab countries involved in the scheme. Mohammed Al-Amawy, Syria's economy and trade minister told the Egyptian Middle East News Agency.

He further hoped the common Arab Market would start first with Egypt and Syria then be joined by Arab Gulf countries and other members in the Arab world regardless of prevalent political relationships.