The Lord Mayor of London, Alderman Gavyn Arthur, began the Mayoralty's first ever official visit to Syria Saturday.
Arthur's spokesman told Gulf News the visit aims to enhance business ties with Syria. It comes in response to an invitation extended during President Bashar Al Assad's visit to London last December.
Before the four-day visit Arthur said, "President Assad has made some important changes to the business environment and both I and the delegation with me intend to offer further help during this visit and beyond."
Quoting Arthur, a spokesman said Damascus "has a key role to play in a region which is changing considerably and the Mayor knows that the City's business community is keen to develop even closer links."
"The Syrian Arab Republic has many natural advantages, not the least of which is a beautiful landscape and a well-deserved reputation for hospitality. Economic reforms will help bring prosperity, too, and this will benefit Syria and the whole region," the mayor said.
During his visit, Arthur is expected to hold talks with the President, Prime Minister and the Governor of Damascus as well as a number of ministers, the Governor of the Central Bank, the Governor of Aleppo and the Aleppo Chamber of Commerce and Industry. (Albawaba.com)
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