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ABCC visit to Syria
The Secretary General & CEO of the Arab-British Chamber of Commerce, Dr Afnan Al-Shuaiby, and the ABCC Chairman, Sir Roger Tomkys, made a visit to Syria between 10-12 January 2010 to explore opportunities for cooperation between the British and Syrian business sectors.
During the visit they held meetings with leading government figures and key representatives from business organisations in the capital Damascus.
The ABCC delegation held discussions with HE Dr Abdullah Al Dardari, Syria’s Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, which focused on what the ABCC could do to help in the work of improving trade relations between Britain and Syria.
(From left to right) Dr. Hasan Zeido, Dr. Afnan Al-Shuaiby, HE Dr. Abdullah Al Dardari, Sir Roger Tomkys, Mr. Omar Al-Kurdi.
In particular, they considered the role that the ABCC could play in encouraging British firms to pay more attention to the opportunities in Syria as it continues opening up its economy to attract foreign investors.
HE Dr Al Dardari stressed that Syria was ready to cooperate with the ABCC in its important role in helping to promote Syria’s trade with the UK.
The delegations attended a lunch with leaders of the Syrian business community hosted by Mr Bassam Ghraoui, Secretary General of the Federation of Syrian Chambers of Commerce.
A meeting was also held with HE Dr Adib Mayaleh, the Governor of the Syrian Central Bank, who pointed to the opportunities that now exist for British banks to operate inside Syria now that the country’s banking laws had been reformed. The delegation heard that foreign banks could now own 60% of banks established in Syria.
Dr. Afnan Al-Shuaiby and HE Dr Mohammad Al-Hussein.
A meeting was also held with HE Dr Mohammad Al-Hussein, the Minister of Finance, where discussions focused on the opening up of the Syrian market to foreign investment.
At a dinner organised by the British Ambassador to Syria, HE Mr Simon Collis, the ABCC delegation met key British diplomatic staff and leading figures from Syrian government and business.
Meetings were also held with Syrian business leaders from the Federation of Syrian Chambers of Commerce, the Nahas Group of companies, and with Dr Wael Mualla, president of Damascus University.
(From right to left) HE Dr Adib Mayaleh, Dr. Afnan Al-Shuaiby, Sir Roger Tomkys, Mr. Omar Al-Kurdi.
A meeting was also held with Mr Mohammad Al-Qallaa, President of the Federation of Syrian Chambers of Commerce and several board members, which discussed closer working between the ABCC and the Syrian Chambers with the objective of removing obstacles to doing business.
Finally, Dr Afnan Al Shuaiby held talks with Mr Nashaat Sanadiki, the chairman of the Syrian-British Business Council, during which it was agreed that the ABCC would help find British business people who might be prepared to take part in the SBBC.
(From right to left) HE Mr Simon Collis, Dr. Afnan Al-Shuaiby, Sir Roger Tomkys, Mr. Omar Al-Kurdi.
As a result of the visit, the ABCC undertook to organise a Syrian finance and infrastructure conference in London in October.
The ABBC also agreed to arrange a meeting with British bankers to encourage the greater presence of British banks in Syria.
ABCC meeting with the federation of the Syrian Chambers of Commerce.
Sir Roger Tomkys and Dr. Wael Mualla.
ABCC delegation with the group of Syrian Businessmen.
ABCC delegation & Syrian Businessmen and woman association.
ABCC delegation meeting NAHAS Group.
ABCC meeting Dr. Rateb Shallah.
