TEHRAN -- Deputy Commerce Minister Mojtaba Khosrow-Taj said on Saturday that Iran's non-oil exports to Syria increased six-fold over the past ten years. Khosrow-Taj, who is also the director of Iran's Center for Export Promotion, 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 currently pursued by Iranian firms in Syria are mainly focused on such infrastructure projects 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 further boost bilateral trade. He said, "During the recent state visit of President Khatami to 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." Referring to the high cost of transiting goods between the countries, he said, "Once stability is ensured in Iraq, that problem too, will be resolved."

Syrian Ambassador to Tehran Hassan Hamed said during the ceremony, "Tehran-Damascus ties have constantly been growing ever since the victory of the Islamic Revolution in Iran. "The organization of this trade fair will lead to the introduction of Syria's industrial and other domestic products to Iranian markets."

Hamed Hassan expressed hope that the level of Iran-Syria commercial and trade ties would approach the level of their excellent political relations in the 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. "It is hoped that the status of Syria's economy will improve through holding such trade fairs."

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

The exhibition opened on Saturday June 4.

Consumer goods such as food stuffs, garments, household appliances, cosmetics, handicrafts, industrial and agricultural machinery, and electronic appliances are on display at Syria's first trade fair in Iran.