Iran May Help Syrian Businesses, Accelerate Reconstruction Projects

Iran is able to help the development of Syria's businesses, as well as assist Damascus in the implementation of its reconstruction initiatives across the country, the head of Iran's Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (ICCIMA) said on Friday.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — According to the reports, 13 Iranian organizations are participating in the Syrian fair.

Launched for the first time in 1954, the Damascus International Fair is the biggest and oldest fair in the Middle East. The 59th fair started in the Syrian capital on Thursday for the first time since the armed conflict began in the country in 2011. Over 2,000 delegates from various countries are expected to visit the event in 2017.

"Iranian organizations, firms and provincial commerce chambers are able to meet Syria's business needs and help the country implement its reconstruction projects," Hossein Selahvarzi said as quoted by the Iranian Fars News Agency.

Selahvarzi made his statement during his meeting with Syrian Minister of Economy and Foreign Trade Mohammad Samer Khalil on the sidelines of the 59th Damascus International Fair.

The official urged the Syrian minister to take all the necessary steps to facilitate free Iran-Syria trade, the agency reported, adding that Khalil, in turn, expressed his hope that the ICCIMA would contribute to the enhancement of the bilateral economic cooperation.