Tehran, Damascus Agree on Dispatching Pilgrims to Syria: Minister
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iran’s minister of roads and urban development on Wednesday announced plans to dispatch as many as 50,000 Iranian pilgrims to Syria each year as a result of the talks held with the Syrian officials in charge of the tourism sector.
Mehrdad Bazrpash, who is now in Syria, made the remarks in a televised interview on Tuesday, stating that the team including members of Iran-Syria Joint Economic Commission has been the largest economic delegation that has traveled to Syria so far.
The removal of shortcomings and hurdles ahead of activity of the Iranian private sector in Syria was the most important issue that would be finalized during the trip, he said, adding that with the coordination made with Syrian officials, the existing obstacles in the way of bilateral trade would be settled as soon as possible.
Reducing the tariff imposed on the entry of goods was highlighted by the two sides, Bazrpash emphasized.
Elsewhere in his remarks, the Iranian roads minister stated that the two sides have agreed on dispatching 50,000 Iranian pilgrims to Syria annually.
In addition, it was agreed to activate the rail passenger corridor among Iran, Iraq and Syria which had previously been launched, he stated.
During the talk, activation of Shalamcheh-Basra Railway was also put atop agenda, the minister noted, saying the Iraqi side promised to cooperate with Iran in the completion of construction operation of the railway in the shortest time possible.
In general, Syria is a lucrative market for Iranian goods and services and effective steps have been taken to remove the trade barriers, the roads minister concluded.
