Damascus, Sept. 14 (SANA)AUS economic delegationrepresenting more than 50 companies is visiting Syria for talks with government officials and businesses on investment opportunities and potential cooperation across a range of sectors.

Syria’sMinistry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriateshosted a reception for the delegation in Damascus on Sunday, attended by Syrian and US officials, businesspeople and investors.

The two-day visit includes meetings between US companies and Syrian government institutions to discuss investment opportunities, financial procedures, governance and the broader business environment, said Malak al-Omari, head of the US Cooperation Division at the ministry’s International Cooperation Department.

Minister of Economy and IndustryNidal al-Shaarsaid Syria was seeking investment and partnerships as it expands its international economic engagement, expressing hope that the visit would lead to agreements supporting development and investment.

Minister of Communications and Information Technology Abdulsalam Haykal said the visit could expand cooperation with US technology companies in areas including fibre-optic infrastructure, regional connectivity, digital transformation and skills development. He also pointed to opportunities created by Syria’s removal from the US list of state sponsors of terrorism.

Steve Lott, vice president for the Middle East at the US Chamber of Commerce, said the chamber was working to establish an economic platform to support development in Syria. He said US companies saw opportunities in the Syrian market and planned to meet entrepreneurs and government officials during the visit.

The visit follows the first Syrian-American Business Forum, held in Damascus on July 13 by the Ministry of Economy and Industry in cooperation with the Syrian-American Business Council.