Ilya Klebanov on results of Russian-Syrian talks in Damascus

Ilya Klebanov, Russia's Minister of Industry, Science and Technology, has classified the results of his visit to Damascus as "very positive." Klebanov and the Russian delegation spent two days negotiating with Syria's Prime Minister Mustafa Miru, Minister of Industry Isam al-Zaim, and Minister of Higher Education Hassan Rishah. "We discussed the situation on the facilities that are being built in Syria with Russia's participation, and outlined plans for the future," said Klebanov.

Eventually, the sides reached an agreement concerning the time period needed to make final decisions and prepare documents dealing with projects that are being realised in Syria with the help of Russian foreign-trade associations.

Much attention was paid to Russian companies' participation in Syria's global technopolis project, went on Klebanov. According to his words, the project is based on the Syrian law of free economic zones and envisages serious privileges for investors. "That is why we want to have Russian commercial and research companies participating in it," he explained.

Speaking about concrete projects, Klebanov named a superphosphate plant and a tyre-manufacturing plant in Syria, and a joint company dealing with electrical technologies.

"We hope our talks in Damascus will help streamline Russian-Syrian cooperation in the field of industry and technology," said Klebanov.