Iran General NewsIran and Syria to boost trade

Iran and Syria to boost trade

-

Reuters: Iran and its Arab ally Syria have an initial deal to apply preferential tariffs to boost trade, Iranian Vice-President Parviz Davoudi said on Sunday.

TEHRAN (Reuters) – Iran and its Arab ally Syria have an initial deal to apply preferential tariffs to boost trade, Iranian Vice-President Parviz Davoudi said on Sunday.

Davoudi, speaking at the end of a three-day visit by a Syrian delegation led by Prime Minister Naji al-Otari, also underlined political ties between the two countries.

Cooperation between the two Middle East states, and their support for Hezbollah among other things, angers the United States which says the Lebanese group is a terrorist organisation.

"The (agreement) on preferential trade tariff can bring about a jump in product trade between the two countries," said Davoudi without giving details on which goods would be affected. He also did not say when the deal would be implemented.

Davoudi said trade in products was now about $300 million (210.2 million pounds) a year, while tourism exchanges generated about $500 million.

Iranians travelling to Syria account for most of the tourism business as Syria is the venue of a revered Shi'ite shrine visited by thousands of Iranian pilgrims each year.

Davoudi said the two sides had begun talks on setting up a joint commercial bank to help the growing bilateral business.

Iran, the world's fourth largest oil producer, is under U.S. and U.N. sanctions over its disputed nuclear work, making it increasingly difficult for Iranian businesses to finance trade through international and especially Western banks.

"One of the most important points raised in this meeting was the question of a joint bank which has been approved by the Syrian government," Davoudi said. "We hope that establishing this bank will pave the ground for improving ties."

Davoudi said Iran planned to enhance its presence in the Syrian energy sector by building a refinery in that country in association with Venezuela and Malaysia.

The Iranian vice-president also said the two sides discussed political ties, and shared views on the Palestinian issue.

"In addition to (this trip's) contribution to the two countries' economic ties, it had political characteristics and importance as well," he said.

(Reporting by Hashem Kalantari; Editing by Richard Williams)

Latest news

Price of Housing in Tehran At $1,340 Per Square Meter

Despite the housing market recession, the price of housing in Tehran increased in March 2024, with the average price...

Canadian Parliament Approves Proposal to Proscribe Iran’s IRGC

On Wednesday, May 8, members of the Canadian House of Commons unanimously voted to add the IRGC to the...

Iran’s Medical Society is in Crisis

Iraj Fazel, the head of the Surgeons Society and former Minister of Health of the Iranian regime, has warned...

Iran’s Regime Evading Oil Sanctions Through Malaysia

Brian Nelson, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, sees Iran's increased capacity to transport...

Iran’s Cooperation Level Unacceptable, IAEA Director Says

The Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) described the regime's cooperation with the agency as unacceptable upon...

Iran’s Gold Merchants on Strike in Several Cities

Reports and images circulated on social media indicate the expansion of protests and strikes by gold sellers in several...

Must read

Iran nuclear talks will fail under pressure: speaker

AFP: Talks on Iran's controversial nuclear programme will fail...

UAE Ambassador Declares Support for Resolution to Curb Iran’s Supply of Weapons to Houthis in Yemen

Iran Focus London, 25 Feb - Ambassador and Permanent Representative...

You might also likeRELATED
Recommended to you

Exit mobile version