- President tells Syrian leaders
President Bharrat Jagdeo underscored the importance of communication in strengthening economic ties between the government and private sector of the two countries during a meeting with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

Jagdeo made these comments during an official visit to the Middle Eastern country to attract investors here, a Government Information Agency (GINA) press release said. The president said also said it is important for trade committees to exchange visits in order to bolster mutual ties when considering signing bilateral agreements in investments and relinquishing double taxation.

According to the Syrian Arab News Agency Jagdeo was also appreciative of Syria’s principled stances and its independent decisions on international issues.

Jagdeo also met with Syrian Prime Minister Mohammad Naji Otri where they discussed bilateral cooperation and developing projects to benefit both countries. The leaders agreed that that it was important to increase the level of cooperation on exchanging expertise and experience regarding the economic reform process, agriculture development and research and rehabilitation and training in the gas and petroleum industry. They also discussed cooperation in the areas of investment and environmental tourism.

The release said Otri also reviewed prospects of development and the modernization process in Syria under al-Assad’s leadership. He also spoke of the achievements on the comprehensive development level regarding the country’s GDP and the development of investment there.
Syrian Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Abdullah al-Dardari and Minister of Tourism Saadallah Agha al-Qalaa also attended the meeting.

GINA said on Sunday Jagdeo also met with Heads of Unions, officials from the Tourism and Commerce industry and the director general of the Syrian Arab airlines among other businessmen. The meeting examined ways of advancing bilateral cooperation between the two countries particularly in the trade, industry, tourism and the aviation fields. Exchange visits between business representatives from both countries were also discussed.

Visit to the Martyr’s Monument
After the meeting Jagdeo and his delegation which includes Minister of Foreign Affairs Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett and Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud visited the Martyr’s Monu-ment in Mount Qasion. The president laid a wreath at the site.  Jagdeo and his team also toured some of Syria’s archaeological sites where they were briefed on the various sites and their significance to that country’s civilization.