Syrian Agriculture Minister, Hassan Qatana, announced Syria’s contract to buy approximately 1.4 million tons of wheat from Russia.
He affirmed Damascus’s efforts to enhance trade with Moscow. Speaking to “Sputnik” agency, Qatana said, “Syria has contracted with Russia to purchase around 1.4 million tons of wheat for the Grain Foundation,” adding “the imported amount along with our production will suffice for a full year.”
He continued, “The import process is smooth, and a considerable quantity has already reached Syrian ports.”
Qatana also stated, “We are now trying to boost trade between the two countries. Syria exports some agricultural products and ornamental plants to Russia, and there is an exchange of cultural, agricultural, scientific, and research knowledge.”
Regarding the nitrogen plant in Homs, Qatana remarked, “There is a Russian investor. An agreement exists for the state to receive 70% of the production and the company to sell 30% in the market.
This year, we agreed to supply the company with gas for it to produce the full capacity and deliver it to the government. The gas has been provided to this company for two months.”
He added, “Next week, they will begin producing calcium nitrate (a type of fertilizer), and the following week, urea production will start. The expected delivery is between 15 to 20 thousand tons over two months.”
The Russian ambassador to Damascus, Alexander Efimov, stated that the trade volume between Russia and Syria in 2021 tripled compared to 2020. He noted that his country “continues to assist Syrians in economic recovery.”
