Syria and Lebanon sign memorandum of cooperation to increase trade exchange
The Federation of Syrian Chambers of Commerce and the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture in Beirut and Mount Lebanon signed on Wednesday (July 15th) a new memorandum of cooperation aimed at enhancing trade exchange and developing economic relations between the two countries, during the work of the joint Syrian-Lebanese roundtable in Damascus.
The MoU stipulates the development of cooperation in the fields of trade and economic and industrial activities, closer communication between the members of the chambers of commerce in the two countries, in addition to the preparation of programs and mechanisms to develop the communication network, exchange information on available business opportunities, and provide facilities that allow the conclusion of deals and the activation of joint economic events.
Motto: Building specialized data collection and analysis centers
The MoU was signed in the presence of officials, diplomats and representatives of economic activities, as part of discussing ways to enhance trade and investment cooperation between Syria and Lebanon, where Minister of Economy and Industry Nidal Al-Shaar said that the meetings with the "brothers in Lebanon" laid the foundations of practical cooperation that serves the interests of the two peoples and promotes joint Arab action, pointing out that the two sides are working to develop information exchange mechanisms and build specialized centers for data collection, analysis, and measurement of indicators to support decision-making and raise efficiency Performance.
He added that the completion of the memorandums of understanding between the federations of the chambers of commerce and industry in the two countries will open wider horizons for economic cooperation during the next phase.
For his part, Lebanese Minister of Economy and Trade Amer Al-Basat stressed that the Syrian-Lebanese Business Council represents a key pillar for the development of economic and trade relations, and will be a permanent platform to follow up on the implementation of joint initiatives, explaining that the work is focused on removing obstacles and developing trade exchange in a way that contributes to increasing the flow of goods between Arab countries.
He stressed that simplifying the travel procedures of businessmen and facilitating their movement is an important step to support investment and strengthen the economic partnership between the two countries.
President Al-Sharaa receives the Lebanese Minister of Economy
President Ahmed al-Sharaa received yesterday the Lebanese minister, who began a visit to Damascus at the head of an expanded economic delegation in a foundational visit to bilateral trade and economic relations.
According to a statement by the presidency of the republic, the meeting discussed "ways to enhance economic and trade cooperation between Syria and Lebanon, and develop joint coordination mechanisms to serve the interests of the two brotherly countries and peoples."
The media office of the Lebanese Minister of Economy stated that during the meeting, it was emphasized to deepen the Syrian-Lebanese rapprochement based on the specificity of the relationship between the two countries, activate it through the Supreme Ministerial Committee and the Joint Business Council, and adopt a new approach to economic and political integration that puts the quality of life and well-being of citizens at the forefront of priorities.
The Lebanese Minister's Office added that the meeting touched on strengthening the projects linking the two countries, including oil, pipelines, and energy transmission lines, and land and sea transport networks, in addition to developing cooperation in vital sectors such as services, tourism and the banking sector, and creating conditions for a greater role for banks during the next phase, stressing the importance of benefiting from the mutual knowledge between the two peoples to enhance confidence among investors, and initiate practical solutions to the outstanding technical files in order to serve common interests, especially in the fields of Export, import, transit and customs.
Border control and the IDPs file on the Joint Committee's table
During the visit of Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani to Beirut on July 2, Syria and Lebanon signed an agreement to form the Lebanese-Syrian Higher Committee in Beirut as a higher institutional framework for consultation and coordination between the two countries, provided that it sets time and operational frameworks to address outstanding strategic files and develop areas of joint cooperation.
Syrian and Lebanese sources confirmed at the time of the signing that the committee's work will focus immediately on regulating and controlling the land borders by following up on the implementation of engineering and security plans to close illegal crossings, destroy tunnel lines, deploy thermal monitoring systems to prevent smuggling operations, in addition to facilitating the movement of trade exchange by reviewing customs duties on trucks and goods through official crossings, and activating transit movement towards the Gulf and Iraqi markets through Syrian territory.
The sources pointed out that the committee's agenda includes the plan for the safe return of displaced Syrians from Lebanon, through direct logistical and security coordination to accelerate the voluntary return, check the lists electronically, and secure infrastructure and safe havens for returnees in their villages with facilities from the Syrian state, in addition to discussing the reactivation of gas and electricity traction agreements, the maintenance of damaged interconnection networks to alleviate the energy crises in the two countries, in addition to the development of land and sea transport projects.