Baghdad, Damascus to reopen trade bureaus

Syrian trade sources said that work is underway to reopen the Iraqi trade bureau in Damascus, while similar measures are being taken in Baghdad to reopen the Syrian trade bureau.

The two offices will be opened for the first time since the 1980s. The Syrian trade sources noted that the two bureaus will promote samples of Syrian and Iraqi products to find markets for them in the two countries, especially as "volume of trade between the two countries is till behind what is desired."

The sources added that the agreement to open the two bureaus was reached during the visit of the Iraqi trade minister to Damascus two weeks ago. The sources elaborated that the Syrian and Iraqi sides showed a "desire to increase Syria's shares in the fourth phase of the oil for food accord," especially as Syria's proportions in previous phases did not exceed US $100 million.

The sources attributed the weakness of trade exchange between the two countries to the fact that the borders are still closed before the Syrians, except for those who changed their passports for new ones permitting their entry to Iraq.

The sources also spoke of starting very soon on "repairing the headquarters of the two countries' embassies in the two capitals." No date was set for reopening the two embassies.