DAMASCUS, June 17. /Dunyo IA/. An online meeting was held between the Deputy Minister of Investment, Industry and Trade of Uzbekistan Shukhrat Gulyamov and Head of the General Department of Economy at the Syrian Ministry of Economy and Industry Abdullah Hamwiya, reports Dunyo IA correspondent.

The event was also attended by the heads of the chambers of commerce and industry of the two countries.

During the negotiations, the parties discussed the current state and prospects for the development of Uzbek-Syrian trade and economic cooperation, matters of expanding mutual trade, strengthening business ties between the entrepreneurial circles of the two states, as well as mechanisms for intensifying interaction at the intergovernmental level.

Particular attention was paid to the issue of establishing the Uzbek-Syrian Intergovernmental Commission on Trade. The parties exchanged information on primary export and import goods of mutual interest and reviewed opportunities to expand the nomenclature of mutual deliveries.

Uzbek side briefed its Syrian partners on the ongoing reforms in the country’s foreign trade sector and the measures being implemented within the process of Uzbekistan’s accession to the World Trade Organization, including the application of the principles of equal and non-discriminatory approach in trade with all states.

Furthermore, matters concerning the participation of business community representatives in international exhibitions and fairs, the organization of reciprocal visits, and the development of direct contacts between entrepreneurs of the two countries were discussed.

Following the meeting, agreements were reached on preparing a draft proposal for the establishment of the Uzbek-Syrian Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, organizing an official visit of the Minister of Economy and Trade of Syria to Uzbekistan, and holding the first meeting of the Uzbek-Syrian Business Council in Tashkent.

It is planned that the Council's proceedings will feature the participation of the largest companies from both nations, representing the sectors of building materials manufacturing, electrical engineering products, processing industry, textiles, light industry and semi-finished goods production.