KUALA LUMPUR, July 4 (Bernama) -- Syria is keen to rectify the lopsided trade activities with Malaysia by increasing its main exports like food products, textiles and cotton to this country.

Syrian Economy and Trade Minister Dr Amer Lutfi said his government noticed an imbalance of trade between both countries, where for example Malaysian exports to Syria were currently contributing between 90 and 95 percent.

"We are importing more from Malaysia than we are exporting and Syria is very much interested in promoting products which are strong in the Syrian economy like those from the food and textiles industries and raw materials like cotton," he told Bernama here.

"We can be competitive if we enter the Malaysian market, but first of all we have to promote these products so that the people here can see the (products) quality," he said through an interpreter.

Lutfi was here to attend the first Malaysia-Syria joint trade commission meeting with International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Rafidah Aziz.

The meeting held yesterday resulted in proposed negotiation for a free trade agreement (FTA) between the two countries, and a study on the proposal is expected to be completed by January next year.

Last year, Syria was Malaysia's 11th largest trading partner in West Asia with total trade between both countries valued at RM578.3 million, of which exports amounted to RM572.0 million and imports at RM6.3 million.

Malaysia's exports to Syria comprised mainly textiles and clothing at 53.9 percent, palm oil (9.0 percent), transport equipment (9.0 percent), machinery, appliances and parts (6.4 percent), and electrical and electronic products (4.1 percent).

Major imports from Syria were printed matter at 88.3 percent and agricultural goods at 2.8 percent.

Lutfi said besides the proposed FTA, Syria planned to increase the amount of trade between the two countries through various channels such as information exchange on trade and economic developments.

"We try to engage in a kind of agreement to facilitate exports and taxation between the two countries regarding export materials, and also to create a direct trade route such as through direct flights or links between Malaysian and Syrian ports to facilitate trading," he said.

According to Lutfi, Syria is trying to build a modern economy that opens its doors to the international market, leading to many opportunities for those interested to invest in the country.

"Syria is keen to adopt Malaysia's halal hub success as part of our country's initiatives in working towards economy reformation," he said.

Describing Malaysia's achievement as a halal hub as one of the important "economic experiences" in South-East Asia and the world, Lutfi said that Syria could also benefit from the experience.

BERNAMA