Malaysian trade delegation arrived in Damascus
Malaysian Trade and Industry Minister Rafidah binti Abdul Aziz arrived in Damascus on Wednesday morning leading a delegation of industrialists and businessmen representing the government and private business sector in Malaysia on a visit that will last for several days.
In an arrival statement to SANA, the Malaysian minister expressed her happiness at visiting Syria, adding that her visit will develop the commercial ties between the two countries and open a new horizon of trade ties between Syria and Malaysia, especially as Malaysian businessmen are interested in joint relations which will result in mutual benefits for investment between the two countries.
The Malaysian minister also referred to Syria's private sector, which is still unaware of Malaysia and its investment opportunities. She continued that this visit of the Malaysian trade delegation will provide a chance for exchanging information and cooperation in the commercial and investment sectors in the two countries.
Later in the day, the Malaysian- Syrian business seminar was held at the Damascus Sheraton Hotel. It was organized by the Federation of Syrian Chambers of Commerce and Industry and the Malaysian Foreign Trade Ministry and was attended by Syrian Economy Minister Muhammad al-Imadi and his Malaysian counterpart.
The two sides discussed prospects for investment and efforts to increase the volume of trade exchange and investment between the two countries.
The visiting Malaysian trade and investment mission is on a tour covering the United Arab Emirates, Syria and Egypt from May 23 - June 1, 1999. The objectives are to explore and expand trade and investment opportunities for Malaysian products and services in UAE, Syria and Egypt; to explore competitive import possibilities as an alternative import into the Malaysian market; to provide an avenue for the Malaysian business sector and their foreign counterparts to forge partnerships in joint venture projects and other cooperation; and to foster bilateral trade relations and facilitate economic cooperation between Malaysia and the UAE, Syria and Egypt.