Syria invites India Inc for investment

New Delhi, Jun 18 (UNI) The visiting Syrian President today invited the Indian entrepreneurs to explore joint ventures and collaborations in major areas like infrastructure, development, energy production, mineral processing, IT, and training and education.

Addressing the session on 'India-Syria Industrial and Economic Cooperation' here, Syrian Arab Republic President Bashar al-Assad applauded India as a country that has created an environment full of opportunities for its people to compete and prosper within a framework of stability and security.

India and Syria have shared very warm and cordial political and socio-economic relations in the past but the time has come to translate this into trade and investment between the nations, felt the various delegates at the session jointly organised by industry bodies CII, FICCI and Assocham.

Drawing parallels between the countries, Dr Bashar al-Assad, said that Syria too was currently at the crossroads of development path.

Bringing focus to the need for ensuring economic growth at a sustainable pace, he highlighted three priorities for Syria -- creating a fertile investment environment, capitalising the country's strategic location in West Asia to allow for efficient and cost effective movement of goods, oil, gas and electricity from Arabian Gulf to the Mediterranean and maximising the country's human capital.

Also present at the session was India's Minister of State for External Affairs E Ahamed.

Mr Ahamed said this dialogue will provide a platform for both countries to strengthen political, economic and social cooperation.

He expressed strong willingness to extend help to Syria in areas of IT, agricultural technology and know-how, governance, education and training, health facilities and various other industries.

He also called for mutual cooperation in processing of minerals and the development of infrastructure including ports, rail and roadways.

UNI MP SBA KN1900