TEHRAN -- An Iranian commerce ministry official said on Saturday that Iran's non-oil exports to Syria has increased six-fold compared to ten years ago. Deputy Commerce Minister and Head of Iran's Center for Export Promotion Mojtaba Khosrow-Taj who was speaking at the opening ceremony of Syria's first exclusive trade fair in Iran, added, "Currently the volume of the signed contracts by Iranian firms to execute various engineering projects in Syria amount to 480 million U.S. dollars." Khosrow-Taj added, "the projects presently pursued by the Iranian firms in Syria are mainly focussed on such infrastructure fields as cement factories, grain silos, irrigation networks, water purification projects, and research plans in iron, cast iron and oil industries."

The deputy commerce minister expressed hope that staging such trade fairs in both countries would lead to the further boosting of bilateral trade. He said, "During the recent state visit of President Khatami from Syria and Lebanon, it was agreed that keeping in mind the excellent commercial ties among the three countries, the ground should be paved for broader ties among their private sector firms." Head of Iran's Export Promotion Center referring to the high cost of transiting goods between the two countries, said, "Once stability is ensured in Iraq, that problem too, would be resolved." Syrian Ambassador to Tehran Hassan Hamed, too, said during the ceremony, "Tehran-Damascus ties have constantly been growing ever since the victory of the Islamic Revolution in Iran." He said, "The organizing of this trade fair would lead to the introduction of Syria's industrial and other domestic products to the Iranian markets."

Hamed Hassan expressed hope that the level of the Iran-Syria commercial and trade ties would approach the level of their excellent political relations in near future. The Syrian envoy to Tehran added, "The Joint Iran-Syria Commerce Commission should pave the way for improving the two countries trade ties." He emphasized, "The status of Syria's economy is hoped to improve with the organizing of such trade fairs, which will generate lofty incomes for us."

Sixty-seven state and private Syrian companies have participated at that country's first exclusive trade fair in Tehran that is staged in a 2,880 square meter area at Tehran's Permanent Fairs Ground.

The exhibition that started its activities On Saturday June 4th, will resume its activities on July 25th.

In Syria's first trade fair in Iran, such consumer goods as food stuffs, garments, house appliances, cosmetics, handicrafts, industrial and agricultural machines, and electronic appliances are put on display.