Martin Sargsyan: Visit of Syrian president to Armenia is a
good opportunity to discuss development prospects of economic
relations
18-06-2009 18:00:00 | Armenia | Economy
YEREVAN, JUNE 18, NOYAN TAPAN. An Armenian-Syrian business
forum with the participation of more than 160 businessmen from
both countries was held on June 18. Chairman of Armenia's
Chamber of Commerce and Industry Martin Sargsyan expressed a
hope that the forum will provide businessmen of the two
countries with an opportunity to cooperate and set up joint
ventures.
In his words, unlike the political relations, the economic
relations between Armenian and Syria are not at a high level,
and the Syrian president's visit to Armenia is a good
opportunity to discuss the prospects of their development. He
said that a lot of work has been done in recent years for the
establishment of economic links, with meetings and discussions
being held more frequently. An exhibition of Armenian products
was organized in Aleppo in 2008. "At the exhibition, those
directions, over which we can negotiate and develop our trade
and economic links, were outlined. These are mainly agriculture
and IT sector," M. Sargsyan said, adding that in addition to
that, an agreement to open a permanent show-room for Armenian
goods was reached with Aleppo Chamber of Commerce and Industry,
and it will become a stimulus for export.
It was mentioned that although a notable growth in the
trade turnover between Armenia and Syria was recorded in recent
years, its amount is still small. The year-by-year fall in
exports from Armenia to Syria is especially alarming: in 2005
exports amounted to 470 thousand USD, in 2006 - 240 thousand
USD, in 2007 - 150 thousand USD, and in 2008 exports from
Armenia to Syria amounted to 90 thousand USD.