MARTIN SARGSYAN: VISIT OF SYRIAN PRESIDENT TO ARMENIA IS A GOOD OPPORTUNITY TO DISCUSS DEVELOPMENT PROSPECTS OF ECONOMIC RELATIONS
Noyan Tapan
June 18, 2009
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.