Prime Minister Wael al-Halqi stressed Syria’s interest in opening and widening channels with the friendly countries and expanding exchange of trade with them.

During talks he held with Deputy Foreign Minister of Belarus Valentin Rybakov on Wednesday, he expressed relief that the economic, trade and industrial relations between Syria and Belarus have seen progress.

The Premier indicated a mutual desire on the part of both countries to broaden the trade exchange base between them and start joint industrial, development and service projects.

Al-Halqi invited Belarusian companies to cooperate with the Syrian companies and businessmen and set up projects in Syria.

The Belarusian official, for his part, hailed the steadfastness of the Syrian people and leadership in the face of the terrorist war waged against them and voiced his government’s desire to boost trade and development relations with Syria.

Discussions during the meeting also touched upon means to bolster customs cooperation and ensure the flow of goods between Syria and Belarus, in addition to attracting vital industries.

Among the various industries that were referred to were those of heavy vehicles, bulldozers, phosphate fertilizers, electricity generating, housing and construction and medicine.

Focus was also placed on working to have new cooperation agreements signed between the two countries and activating the existing ones, particularly in light of the Joint Committee that is due to meet in Minsk early next year.