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.

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