MALAYSIA HOPES TO INCREASE TRADE VOLUME WITH SYRIA

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 8 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi wants
to see trade and investment between Malaysia and Syria increased.

The Prime Minister said that despite a strong collaboration between both
countries in the areas of infrastructure development, tourism and education, the
partnership in trade and investment are still at a low level.

"These are certainly two areas for priority attention by both countries
because the potential for improvement does exist," he said at a dinner he
hosted for visiting Syrian Prime Minister Mohammad Naji Otri here tonight.

Abdullah said Malaysia also hoped to share with Syria its experience and
capabilities in monorail construction, provision of housing and construction of
industrial parks.

Otri is on his first official visit to Malaysia. The four-day visit is to
reciprocate Abdullah's trip to Syria in February 2007.

Earlier Wednesday, both leaders had held a meeting to discuss various issues
ranging from economic to world affairs.

Abdullah also expressed his satisfaction over the results of the meeting,
adding that it showed that both nations shared common views and aspirations
on many matters, whether they were bilateral, regional or international in
nature.

"The Prime Minister of Syria and I took stock of the fast developing
situation in the Middle East, especially the critical circumstances pertaining
to Gaza.

"The Prime Minister and I agreed that our two countries shall work hard to
do whatever we can to avert a humanitarian disaster in that part of Palestine,"
he added.
-- BERNAMA