Syrian and Qatari Officials Confer in Geneva to Boost Economic and Investment Ties

A Syrian delegation from the Ministry of Economy and Industry, represented by Deputy Minister for Domestic Trade Rasha Karkouki and Director of Industrial and Commercial Property Protection Abdulmajeed al-Abdo, convened with Qatar’s Minister of State for Foreign Trade at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Ahmed bin Mohammed al-Sayed, on July 5 in Geneva. The meeting aimed to enhance economic and investment cooperation and to broaden partnership areas that serve the mutual interests of Syria and Qatar.

This bilateral discussion took place on the sidelines of the Syrian delegation’s participation in the 68th Assemblies of Member States of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), held at the organization’s headquarters in Geneva from July 7 to 15. During the meeting, both parties explored available investment opportunities across several vital sectors and discussed development cooperation priorities.

Both sides underscored the importance of strengthening communication channels between relevant institutions in Syria and Qatar. They emphasized that such engagement is essential to developing economic relations, increasing trade and investment exchanges, and opening new horizons for joint cooperation.

The WIPO Assemblies, ongoing during this period, address a range of issues including digital legislation, artificial intelligence, the development of global intellectual property systems and services, support for small and medium enterprises, governance enhancement, and strategies to expand innovation-based investment.

Founded in 1967 and headquartered in Geneva, the World Intellectual Property Organization is a specialized United Nations agency with 194 member states. It works globally to promote and protect intellectual property rights. The annual Assemblies of Member States serve as a forum to set policy, approve budgets, and review work related to patents, trademarks, industrial designs, copyright, and related rights.

Qatar’s Minister of State for Foreign Trade, Ahmed bin Mohammed al-Sayed, has a history of active engagement with WIPO. He has previously participated in ministerial policy dialogues and has led Qatar’s efforts in intellectual property and innovation matters within the organization.

This meeting between Syrian and Qatari officials reflects ongoing efforts to deepen bilateral economic ties and leverage international platforms such as WIPO to foster cooperation in intellectual property and investment sectors.