Syria and South Africa discussed means of cooperation to provide Syria with construction equipment and techniques needed for the post-crisis reconstruction stage.

Discussions took place during a meeting on Tuesday between caretaker Minister of Public Works Hussein Arnous and South African Ambassador in Damascus Shaun Byneveldt.

Talks focused mainly on the possibility of South Africa providing 650 engineering machines to the Syrian side, along with techniques for speedy construction of buildings using modern and advanced methods.

Both sides also touched upon the idea of creating a kind of partnership between Syrian and South African companies and boosting joint cooperation and exchange of expertise, mainly in the field of reconstruction.

In the course of discussion, the South African Ambassador stressed keenness on his country’s part to contribute and provide all possible support to the projects of reconstruction and development which Syria is preparing to embark on.

Byneveldt struck an optimistic note when he expressed his country’s ability to provide Syria with all its development-related needs from all other African countries, benefiting in this regard from its membership in the Organization for African Development.