Syria, Lebanon discuss in Damascus expanding economic, trade cooperation
DAMASCUS, Syria (North Press) – Syrian Minister of Economy and Industry Nidal al-Shaar on Wednesday met with Lebanese Minister of Economy and Trade Amer Bisat and his accompanying delegation to discuss ways to strengthen economic and trade cooperation between the two countries.
The meeting, held at the Four Seasons Hotel in Damascus, focused on expanding bilateral economic ties and enhancing coordination on investment and commercial initiatives.
Al-Shaar said the two sides discussed developing mechanisms for information exchange and establishing specialized centers for data collection, analysis, and economic indicators to support policymaking and improve institutional efficiency.
“We are working to finalize memorandums of understanding between the Syrian and Lebanese chambers of commerce and industry,” al-Shaar said. “These agreements will open broader prospects for economic and investment cooperation and deliver tangible results in the coming period.”
For his part, Bisat described the Lebanese-Syrian Business Council as a key pillar for strengthening economic and commercial relations between the two countries.
He said the council would serve as a permanent platform for dialogue and for monitoring the implementation of joint initiatives.
The Lebanese minister also stressed that simplifying travel procedures and facilitating cross-border movement for businesspeople would be essential to encouraging investment and deepening the economic partnership between Beirut and Damascus.
Meanwhile, Iyad al-Hazza, Syria’s chargé d’affaires in Lebanon, said bilateral relations are entering an “exceptional phase” of closer cooperation extending beyond political, economic, and security issues to include humanitarian ties that reflect the deep historical bonds between the two neighboring countries.