President of Abkhazia, concludes visit to Syria

President of Abkhazia Raul Khajimba and the accompanying delegation on Saturday met members of Damascus Chamber of Commerce and a number of economic and business figures to discuss cooperation prospects in the fields of tourism, agriculture, trade, and investment projects.

President Khajimba said his visit to Syria has been productive and achieved positive results, particularly in terms of the agreements that were signed which will develop bilateral economic relations.

He underlined the potential cooperation fields, primarily tourism, as well as agriculture since the two countries’ products complement each other, adding that talks with the Syrian government covered cooperation in finance, banking, health, culture, construction, transit, and shipping.

Economy and Foreign Trade Minister Mohammad Samer al-Khalil said the signed agreements seek to facilitate and develop trade, noting that exports and imports between the two countries have been exempted of 100% of customs.

Al-Khalil said Abkhazia’s three ports on the Black Sea will make shipping trips shorter and easier, and that there have been talks to establish a regular shipping lane to reduce costs and time.

Chairman of Damascus Chamber of Commerce Ghassan al-Qala’a said that Syrian businessmen are open to cooperating with friendly countries, and that the Chamber signed an agreement with its Abkhazian counterpart.

Later in the day, President Khajimba concluded his official visit to Syria, and was seen off at Damascus International Airport by Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign and Expatriates Minister Walid al-Moallem, Higher Education Minister Atef Naddaf, and Assistant Foreign and Expatriates Minister Ayman Sousan.

President Khajimba started an official to Syria on Tuesday, during which he met senior officials and held talks for developing bilateral relations, in addition to visiting archeological and religious landmarks in Damascus and its countryside.