Damascus, July 24 (SANA)Agriculture Minister Basel al-Suwaidan met on Friday with Qatari Ambassador to Damascus Khalifa Abdullah Al Mahmoud to discuss strengtheningagricultural cooperationand developing bilateral relations to enhance trade exchange between the two countries.

Al-Suwaidan stressed the importance of expanding trade exchange of plant and animal agricultural products, and invited Qatari companies to invest in Syria’s vast agricultural areas, given the availability of irrigation sources, and the quality and diversity of Syrian products, according to the ministry statement on Telegram.

Modern agriculture, contract farming, and purebred Arabian horses

The minister emphasized the importance of introducing modern technologies,smart agriculture, alternative energy systems and encouraging contract farming to support farmers, secure production requirements and open new markets for agricultural products.

Al-Suwaidan outlined the ministry’s plan to establish collection, sorting, packaging and grading centers for agricultural products near airports and shipping hubs to facilitate exports to foreign markets and improve marketing chain efficiency.

The meeting also addressed the purebred Arabian horses file, with al-Suwaidan affirming the ministry’s interest in developing this sector and enhancing Arab cooperation in it. He said the ministry is working to issue special passports for Syrian horses and coordinate the lifting of restrictions in line with international animal health regulations.

Qatari interest in Syrian agricultural products

The Qatari ambassador said Syrian agricultural products enjoy a distinguished reputation in Gulf markets due to their quality and diversity, expressing Qatar’s readiness to enhance agricultural andinvestment cooperationwith Syria to serve the interests of both countries and supportfood security.

The agricultural sector has been a key focus, with Syria exporting approximately 6,000 tons of fruits and vegetables toGulf countries, including Qatar, over a ten-day period in October 2025 through 235 refrigerated trucks.