Meetings of the Syrian-Iranian Joint Higher Committee kicked off on Monday at the Iranian capital Tehran, headed by Syrian Minister of Economy and Trade Lamia Assi and Iranian Minister of Housing and Urban Development Ali Nikzad, SANA reported.
Minister Assi affirmed the importance of boosting and expanding economic and commercial relations between Syrian and Iran, particularly since both countries are witnessing considerable economic reforms.
She noted that putting the free trade agreement between the two countries into effect will increase trade exchange and bolster economic relations, stressing the importance of similar meetings in developing bilateral relations.
Assi also underlined the importance of improving the participation of businessmen and companies in developing relations between Syria and Iran, in addition to the need to establish joint expos.
For his part, Nikzad affirmed the strength of the relations between the two countries and their people in all fields, stressing the need for devising a strategic vision for activating economic relations between the two sides.
He also underlined the importance of putting signed agreements into effect and signing new agreements.
Heads of the preliminary committee of the Joint Higher Committee, Director of the Prime Minister's Office Tayseer al-Zou'bi and Deputy Iranian Housing and Urban Development Minister Ali Lotfizadeh, reviewed the draft agreements and protocols that resulted from the preliminary committee's meetings.
Al-Zou'bi called for opening new cooperation prospects, particularly in the fields of scientific research and technology, in addition to cooperation in constructing electric energy and alternative energy stations and establishing factories and technology gardens.
He called for establishing a joint work team specializing in issues of technology and underlined the importance of simplifying banking procedures, adding that the preliminary committee also discussed issues of connecting road and railroad networks and oil and gas pipelines.