SYRIA PROPOSES MALAYSIA-SYRIA FTA

PUTRAJAYA, Jan 7 (Bernama) -- Syria today suggested Malaysia and Syria sign a free trade agreement to intensify economic, trade and investment ties between the two countries.

Malaysia took note of the proposal and suggested that the idea be further discussed by the Joint Trade Committee including exploring other options to enhance trade and investment between Kuala Lumpur and Damascus.

This was contained in a joint statement issued after the delegation meeting between Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and his Syrian counterpart Mohammed Naji Otri at the Prime Minister's Office.

The two leaders agreed to undertake continuous efforts to expand the scope of bilateral relations and explore new areas of cooperation of mutual interests.

Both sides agreed to expand collaborations in banking and finance by studying the possibilities of cooperation between commercial banks in both countries.