Iran-Syria-Trade
Iran's Minister of Housing and Urban Development Mohammad Saeedi-Kia said here on Wednesday that commercial exchanges between Iran and Syria are insufficient and should be increased.

Speaking in a meeting of Iran-Syria Joint Economic Commission in Damascus attended by Syrian Minister of Finance and Trade Amer Hosni Lutfi, he further said that commercial transactions reached dlrs 180 million in 2006 and dlrs 340 million dollars in 2007 but despite a sharp rise, the figures are far from satisfactory.

He pointed out that the two countries are in a position to step up cooperation.

Talking to reporters on the sideline of the meeting, he referred to the idea to establish a joint bank with Syria is being pursued and hoped that it will be set up at the earliest.

He also said that topics for discussion includes reviewing the two countries' plans in technical and financial terms and efforts to overcome the problems facing their implementation.

Syrian minister, Lutfi, for his part, said given the high level of political relations between the two countries as well as the number of Iranian pilgrims in Syria, the rate of economic exchanges is insufficient and should be increased.

Stressing the need to make economic ties match political ties, he said that solving the problems calls for strong resolve and efforts by both sides.

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