The first Syrian products exhibition opened in Amman on Tuesday with the participation of 60 private and public companies, reported the Jordan Times.
According to the exhibition organizer, Masri & Co.'s Khalid Harbeh, 10,000 visitors came to the first night of the exhibition.
This massive number, Harbeh said, led to heavy congestion inside the showroom and in the miniature replica Souq Hamadieh, which had been set up as part of the attractions.
According to observers, the importance of the exhibition lies not only in the sale of Syrian products, but also in enhancing Jordanian-Syrian economic integration, said the paper.
Trade between the two countries stood at JD48 million last year, heavily in Syria's favor, as its exports to Jordan were almost JD32 million.
The exhibition comes ahead of an anticipated free trade agreement (FTA) to be signed between Jordan and Syria next month when the Jordanian-Syrian Higher Committee convenes in Amman.
Jordan signed a trade agreement with Syria in 1975, and under the current protocols, 120 items are exempt from customs, while the FTA would eliminate most customs until a total exemption is achieved by 2005 – Albawaba.com
© 2001 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
