Damascus to Host Iran’s 2nd Specialized Exhibit

Iran’s Second Specialized Exhibition in Syria is scheduled to be held in Damascus from Nov. 29 to Dec. 3.
Iranian businesses active in the fields of hospital and medical equipment, pharmaceuticals, construction materials, architecture, agriculture, animal husbandry, oil and gas, petrochemicals, police and security equipment, food industries, water and electricity, steel, informatics, doors and windows, elevators and escalators, chain store and supermarket equipment, motorcycles, automobiles, textile, home appliances, banking and insurance will participate in the event, IRIB News reported.  
Iran exported 38,000 tons of non-oil goods valued at $66 million to Syria during the first four months of the current Iranian year (March 21 to July 21) to register a 36% rise in value but a 26% decline in tonnage compared with last year’s corresponding period, according to director general of Trade Promotion Organization of Iran’s Arab and African Countries Department. 
Speaking in an interview with Fars News Agency, Farzad Piltan added that Iran is the seventh biggest exporter to Syria, adding that Iran accounts for only 3% of export share in the Syrian market.
Iran has offered to help Syria rebuild its war-torn areas after years of conflict.
Tehran and Damascus have a free trade agreement in place, according to Piltan, which can have a significant impact on easing trade between the two sides.
“Syria’s high demand in agricultural and food products, home appliances, pharmaceuticals, construction material, sanitary ware, agro machinery and equipment, and Iran’s capabilities in these areas, coupled with reasonable prices and high-quality can pave the way for a boost in commercial interactions between the two sides.”
Syria and Iran concluded a free trade agreement in February 2012, which included reducing customs duties to 4% on goods traded between the two countries, cancelling all quantitative restrictions and lifting the ban on imports.
The agreement came into force on March 12, 2012, and included an agreement to allow commercial trucks to pass between the two countries through Iraq.