DAMASCUS, 21 April 2005 — A week after Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer’s state visit to Damascus, the Syrian-Turkish Days 2005 opened here yesterday as indication for the steadily growing cooperation between the two countries.
Financed by the European Union (EU), the event is aimed at exploring ways of providing better access for Syrian and Turkish textile companies to the European markets. “This is the first of its kind event held here since the Syrian-Turkish free-trade agreement was signed in January last year and the EU decision in the same month to open negotiations with Turkey,” head of the EU delegation in Damascus Ambassador Frank Hesske said.
Organized by the Syrian-European Business Center in cooperation with the Syrian Chamber of Commerce, the International Chamber of Commerce in Syria, and the Chamber of Commerce in the Turkish City of Ghazi Eintab, the five-day meeting includes hundreds of Syrian and Turkish textile and clothes companies. It will also discuss improving economic and investment opportunities between the two neighboring countries.
Addressing the participants in the gathering, Syrian Deputy Minister of Economy and Trade, Dr. Ghassan Habash, stressed the importance of developing economic cooperation between Syria and Turkey.
“Syria is keen to provide all sorts of facilities and support to encourage Turkish businessmen increase their investments in our country,” Dr. Habash said, noting the importance of role the EU is playing in preparing Syrian and Turkish manufacturers and markets and qualifying them to be strong partners in the European-Mediterranean Partnership.
Dr. Rateb Al-Shallah, chairman of the Syrian Chambers of Commerce, said that organizing the Syrian-Turkish Days in Damascus stood as important development in the implementation of the economic agreements signed by the two countries recently. “I urge businessmen and investors in both countries to take benefit from the huge investment opportunities available in both countries,” said Dr. Al Shallah.
