Al-Dardari: Energy prices in Syria will remain lower than the world price
Saturday, June 28, 2008 - 09:00 AM
www.sana.sy/eng/21/2008/06/28/181545.htm

HAMA, (SANA - Syrian news agency) Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs
Abdullah al-Dardari said Friday that energy prices in Syria will be at the
balance and cost price with the end of the 10th Five-Year plan by the end of
2010.

During his meeting with economic actors in Hama Dardari added: " The prices
will remain lower than the global price as Syria is a producer of energy,"
pointing out to the government's ongoing work in the field of exploring
natural gas and prospecting oil fields in the Syrian coast.

Dardari called for collaboration of joint national efforts in the government
and private sectors to meet high energy prices and the establishment of
infrastructure that will achieve the highest levels of sharing to face the
economic variables and preserve the national economy stable and strong.

The Deputy Premier clarified: " Basket of food commodities will have a
special status for Value Added Tax (VAT). These materials will be either
exempted from VAT or it will be very limited value,"

He pointed out that agricultural support fund, scheduled to start work next
August, will not be confined to support agricultural crops, but the strategy
will include many of other agricultural crops. " This would constitute a
qualitative leap on the road of supporting peasants and farmers and in
stability of prices of agricultural products with taking into consideration
rights and interests of producers and consumers."

Ghossoun /