Syria Today | France and Syria deepen economic ties

France and Syria deepen economic ties

Paris and Damascus have clinched a deal to establish tech parks in Syria.

The new project was announced on February 8, when French Industry Minister Luc Chatel signed two declarations of cooperation with Syria’s ministries of economy and industry in Damascus.

The declaration that was signed with the Syrian Ministry of Economy will increase cooperation in competitiveness, preventing monopolies and consumer and property protection. The declaration with the Syrian Ministry of Industry will work to boost innovation, competitiveness and standards. It also provides cooperation between the Syrian and French standards commissions.

Syria’s Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Abdullah Dardari also discussed with the French delegation ways to increase cooperation between the French Agency for International Investment and the Syrian Investment Agency.

Following the talks, Dardari said the French Mann Company will carry out the final technical and economic studies for establishing a solar power station. He said talks are also underway with the French ALSTOM group to construct power stations in Syria.

“The declarations were a complement to the procedures implemented to boost relations between the two countries,” Dardari said. “Syrian-French economic relations are growing rapidly, especially with the French Agency for Development.”

Last September, Syria and France signed seven agreements and memoranda of understanding in the areas of oil, natural gas, electricity and railways. The agreements were signed on the sidelines of French President Nicolas Sarkozy’s visit to Damascus.