Syria, UAE Prepare to Reactivate Council of Businessmen

UAE Minister of Economy Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri. (WAM)
UAE Minister of Economy Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri. (WAM)
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Syria, UAE Prepare to Reactivate Council of Businessmen

UAE Minister of Economy Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri. (WAM)
UAE Minister of Economy Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri. (WAM)

The Syrian and Emirati economy ministers have held talks on trade, investment, and cooperation and reactivating the Syrian-UAE Council of Businessmen.

Syrian Minister of Economy and Foreign Trade Mohammad Samer al-Khalil and his UAE counterpart Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri met on the sidelines of the Dubai Expo 2020.

The meeting addressed the agreement to restructuring and reactivating the Syrian-Emirati Businessmen Council to encourage trade exchange, investment, and cooperation at the economic level between the two countries, said a Syrian statement on Sunday.

Western officials have indicated that the US Caesar Act is an obstacle to developing relations in the public and private sectors.

Khalil highlighted the importance of Syrian-Emirati relations and promoted Syria's new investment laws, saying they "encourage investors to set up projects in all domains through offering great facilitation and privileges."

Khalil stressed the importance of Syrian-Emirati relations and the need for both countries to diversify their economies.

He also congratulated the UAE hosting the Expo despite the challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic.

Bin Touq, in turn, expressed his country's willingness to support Syria by transferring its experience in the economic sector, stressing the importance of continuing meetings and exchanging visits between the two sides.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Syndicate of Jordanian Truck Owners, Mohammad Khair al-Daoud, estimated the number of trucks entering and leaving Syria through al-Jaber crossing between the two countries at about 150 trucks per day.

In a statement to al-Rai newspaper, Daoud said that the number of trucks entering and leaving Syria is expected to increase in the coming period.

He added that the truck sector has been waiting for years to reopen the crossing after the losses it sustained due to its closure for several years.

He praised the bilateral agreement between the Amman and Damascus governments to allow transport movement between the two countries, noting that the decision will positively reflect the Jordanian and Syrian industries and the transport sector in both countries.

Damascus and Amman decided to open the Jaber-Nassib crossing last Wednesday to allow the movement of people and trucks.



Egypt Strengthens African Ties with Senegal in Maritime Transport Cooperation

Egypt’s Minister of Industry and Transport with Senegal’s Minister of Fisheries, Infrastructure, and Ports (Egyptian Ministry of Transport)
Egypt’s Minister of Industry and Transport with Senegal’s Minister of Fisheries, Infrastructure, and Ports (Egyptian Ministry of Transport)
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Egypt Strengthens African Ties with Senegal in Maritime Transport Cooperation

Egypt’s Minister of Industry and Transport with Senegal’s Minister of Fisheries, Infrastructure, and Ports (Egyptian Ministry of Transport)
Egypt’s Minister of Industry and Transport with Senegal’s Minister of Fisheries, Infrastructure, and Ports (Egyptian Ministry of Transport)

Egypt is intensifying its efforts to strengthen ties with African nations, with the latest development being a cooperation agreement with Senegal in maritime transport, including a new shipping route between Alexandria and Dakar.

Kamel El-Wazir, Egypt's Deputy Prime Minister for Industrial Development and Minister of Transport, said that there are many projects planned to improve connections with African countries.

He added that Egypt is fully ready to work with Senegal in all sectors, including transportation—land, sea, rail, dry ports, and logistics.

Egypt reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening ties with Senegal during talks between El-Wazir and Senegal’s Minister of Fisheries, Infrastructure, and Ports, Fatou Diouf, in Cairo on Friday.

The discussions focused on enhancing cooperation in infrastructure, ports, and maritime transport.

El-Wazir highlighted President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi’s call for greater cooperation with African countries and noted that Egypt has many specialized companies ready to help develop and manage ports in Senegal.

The minister also welcomed the proposed shipping route between Alexandria and Dakar, offering to train Senegalese port workers in maritime transport and provide training in railways, subways, electric trains, and land transport.

He also mentioned potential collaboration in dry port development.

Earlier this week, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty met with his Senegalese counterpart in Cairo.

They discussed the situation in the Sahel, West Africa, and the Horn of Africa, as well as Egypt’s water security. Both ministers also explored ways to boost African cooperation and regional integration.