Delivering the opening speech of the third meeting of the Turkey-Syria Industry Follow-Up Committee in Damascus yesterday, Ergün noted that the Turkish economy possesses significant potential and offers great opportunities for Syrian businessmen. He cited a free-trade agreement signed between Syria and Turkey in 2007 along with the abolition of visa requirements between the two countries last year as turning points in commercial ties.
The two countries’ trade volume rose from $795 million in 2006 to $1.8 billion last year, Ergün said, expressing his pleasure over this sharp increase in the space of just three years. He said, however, that they expect this figure to reach $5 billion within the coming three years. “Nonetheless, our main target is not to buy or sell more goods from each other but to develop long-term cooperation between the two countries, such as increasing mutual investment and assuming more projects in third countries,” he said. “If Turkey is going to be Syria’s gateway to Europe, Syria will also be Turkey’s gateway to the Middle East.” He also said the Turkish Standards Institute (TSE) would open an office in Syria, while the Small and Medium Industry Development Organization (KOSGEB) will assist small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) in cooperating with their counterparts in Syria.
