By Faiza Tehseen Islamabad, Feb. 17 (INP-WealthPK) Syrian trade and business community is keen to open a positive chapter of business ties with Pakistan. Syrian Foreign Trade Minister Sameer al-Khalil and Air Marshal (retired) Saeed Muhammad Khan, representing Pakistan, recently inked in Damascus an MOU for bilateral relations in different sectors. The two countries share a history of good ties in multiple segments. During the year 1990, Pakistan helped Syria to establish its own tractor manufacturing factory and upgrade multiple industries, including sugar, cement, fertilizer and paper, while cooperation in agricultural process also increased. According to the United Nations’ COMTRADE database on international trade, Pakistan exported multiple trade items worth USD25.53 million to Syria in 2020. The same year, Pakistan imported different goods worth USD192.8 thousand from Syria. Pakistan’s major exports to Syria are textile articles, worn clothing, miscellaneous edible preparations, cereals, plastics, manmade staple fibre, pharmaceutical products, albuminoids, modified starches, glues, enzymes, tools, implements, cutlery of base metal, dyeing extracts, tannins, derivatives, pigments, cotton, optical, photo, technical medical apparatus and commodities not specified according to kind. Pakistani imports from Syria are coffee, tea, mate and spices, raw hides & skins (other than fur skins) and leather, oil seed, oleagic fruits, grain, seed, fruits, electrical & electronic equipment, machinery, nuclear reactors, boilers etc. In a recent meeting with Pakistan’s business and trade community, Mazen Obeid, the Syrian envoy appointed in Pakistan, said his country was interested in strong business ties with Pakistan. Both the countries are well capable of cooperating with each other in a variety of sectors, he said, adding that Pakistan and Syria had currently signed memorandums to establish joint working groups and cooperation in education field. So, it is very important for the two countries to take a step ahead to make their diplomatic relations stronger. Mazen also emphasized establishment of Pak-Syria business council. He appreciated resumption of PIA flights and considered it a good step towards a better trade. He also highlighted the need for bilateral trade and business delegations’ frequent meetings and business expos. Dr. Mazen said Syria was in the resurgence phase after more than a decade of warfare. “It is high time for Pakistan to play its role in the revival of Syrian market. Pakistan can provide many products to Syria, such as raw material for medicines, surgical items, food products, information technology products & services and solar panels. Pakistan’s coordination in all sectors is always welcome,” he said. Speaking on the occasion, President of Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry (ICCI) said Pakistan’s trade and business community was enthusiastic about tying trade knots with Syria. He said it is important for both the countries to promote and appreciate trade and business delegations from both sides. He said most of Pakistani products like marble, granite, pharmaceutical, leather products, food items, steel, cement, IT, and light engineering could gain ground in Syrian markets. He said direct flights between the two countries opened a new chapter related to trade. He also assured that the ICCI was keen to work with the Syrian embassy for trade and business opportunities. Jamshed Akhter, Senior Vice President of ICCI, in a detailed discussion with Wealth-PK shared, “For an emerging market like Pakistan, it is going to be a good chance to broaden its business boundaries. Syria is an important country in the Middle East due to its geological position. Both the countries keep good ties in business and education sector but there is a dire need for a flexible policy-making on both sides. The topic is under discussion among the authorities of both the countries. Same in the way, smooth circumstances also play a positive role in business growth. Pakistan does not lack sources but trade and business policies need to be more favourable for businesspersons and traders. This will enhance trade relations with Pakistan and other countries”.