By IANS
New Delhi : India and Syria Thursday identified areas to boost their bilateral trade relations and enhance cooperation in sectors of mutual benefit.
“Syria and India have a longstanding relationship both politically and economically. We want to enhance the trade between the countries and encourage investments,” Commerce and Industry Minister Kamal Nath told reporters.
He was speaking after a meeting of the India-Syria joint commission, which last met in 2000. From the Syrian side the commission was headed by Ghias Barakat, Syrian minister for higher education.
The meeting was part of a three-day India visit by Abdullah Dardari, Syrian deputy prime minister for economic affairs.
“Both countries are having tremendous growth and Syria is very much interested in investing in India’s IT, telecom and manufacturing sectors. And we want India to invest and upgrade our infrastructure,” Barakat said.
Syria is also seeking greater Indian participation in terms of technical know-how in its solar energy sector, officials said.
India’s exports to Syria stand at $488 million and the main items are auto spare-parts, tea, machinery, sugar and granules.