Iran, Syria strengthen banking, transport ties

Tehran (ISNA) - The heads of Iran and Syria Joint Economic Commission met in Damascus prior to the upcoming visit of the two countries' Presidents for finalizing mutual agreements.

Mehrdad Bazrpash, Iran Minister of Roads and Urban Development as the head of Iran-Syria Joint Economic Commission arrived in Damascus on Tuesday at the head of a high-ranking delegation in order to expand economic ties and facilitate banking and commercial transactions. 

Upon arrival, the Iranian delegation was welcomed by Mohammad Samer al-Khalil, Minister of Economy and Foreign Trade of Syria.

In the two-day visit, development of the sea-based economy, facilitation of banking transactions between the two countries, and reducing trade tariffs are among the main topics in the agenda. 

Moreover, easing presence of Iran's private sector in Syria for reconstruction, development of air transport, resuming the travel of Iranian pilgrims to Syria, establishing a trilateral rail route between Iran, Iraq, and Syria for activating freight transit in the region, and bilateral cooperation in other fields including agriculture, IT, education, tourism, defense, investments, etc. are among other agendas. 

In an interview, Bazrpash said expansion of economic ties with Syria is possible due to close political relations. 

Bilateral agreements achieved in this visit will be signed by the Presidents of Iran and Syria in their upcoming visit. 

Previously in November 2019, Iran and Syria high ranking officials, Mohammad Eslami and Suhail Mohammad Abdullatif, signed a MoU for mutual cooperation.