The Deputy Head of the Syrian Business Council, Dr Samer Osman, stated that the volume of trade exchange between Syria and Russia did not exceed a billion dollars in 2013.
Osman said that in order to raise the level of Syrian-Russian economic relations it will be necessary to introduce a new mentality focused on achieving the mutual benefit for both countries.
He pointed out that a team of professional engineers from Moscow recently returned to Russia after the completion of a study they conducted on Syrian ground that may conduct to Syria becoming a great supplier of agricultural products, particularly citrus fruits.
Osman added that there is an initial plan for the direct export of great volumes of Syrian olive oil (to replace the oil imported from Greece, Italy and Spain), and 15,000 tonnes of citrus fruit during the next season.
Osman highlighted Russia's capacity to absorb Syria's exports, especially citrus and protected vegetables, which are grown between early November and late April, when Syria usually competes with European Mediterranean countries in the fruit and vegetable market. The chance to export them to the Russian market is consequently seen as a great opportunity for Syria.
