Syrian Arab News Agency S A N A
Damascus, SANA- Director-General of the Syrian Customs Majdi Hakmieh said the value of materials imported under the Greater Arab Free Trade agreement is estimated at SYP 147 billion, indicating that Syria imported 863 materials last year.
Data released by the Syrian Export Development and Promotion Agency (EDPA) showed an increase in Syrian imports from Arab countries during the same period to 22 percent, recording a 61.8 increase from 2010.
According to the data, Arab states received the bulk of Syria’s exports, with Egypt coming ahead by 62.1 per cent of the overall Syrian exports. Jordan came second by 22 per cent and Lebanon third by 15.3.
EDPA Director-General Ehab Esmandar said efforts are underway to keep abuses of the agreement by some states in check as he said verifying certificates of origin remains a key obstacle to industrials.
Manal Ismael
