Syria and Italy Sign MoU to Strengthen Agricultural and Development Cooperation

Signing Ceremony and Parties Involved

Syria's Ministry of Agriculture and Agrarian Reform announced on Thursday the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Minister Basil al-Suweidan and the Director of the International Centre for Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic Studies (CIHEAM Bari), Biagio Dieter Lys. The signing took place in the presence of Italy's Ambassador to Syria, Stefano Ravagnan.

The agreement reflects a shared commitment to deepening agricultural and development ties between the two countries at a time when Syria is working to restore the vitality of its agricultural sector.

Areas of Cooperation

The MoU outlines several priority areas to be translated into specific, measurable implementation programmes, including:

• Training, capacity building, and higher education
• Scientific research and agricultural innovation
• Technology transfer and food systems development along value chains
• Water scarcity management and plant protection and quarantine
• Development of fishery resources and marine biodiversity
• Improving productivity of strategic crops, particularly wheat
• Enhancing the olive and olive oil value chain
• Empowerment and training of rural women according to clear timelines

Syria's Recovery Priorities

Minister al-Suweidan stressed the importance of accelerating the implementation of the MoU's provisions, directing them toward priorities that support agricultural recovery and sustainable development. He highlighted steps already taken by the ministry to develop the olive sector, including the rehabilitation of laboratories and infrastructure, irrigation projects, staff training, and the transfer of modern expertise and technologies.

He also noted the ministry's focus on supporting eastern governorates, which possess integrated agricultural assets and play a central role in Syria's national agricultural output.

Call for Italian Private Sector Investment

Al-Suweidan underscored the importance of strengthening the investment dimension of the partnership, pointing to available opportunities and facilitations offered to investors. He called on the Italian private sector to explore investment opportunities in Syria, particularly in the fields of fertilisers, pesticides, and agricultural machinery.

Trade Growth and Institutional Framework

Italy's Ambassador noted that agricultural trade between Syria and Italy has doubled during the current year, describing this as a positive indicator of the growing economic relationship between the two countries. CIHEAM Bari's director explained that the centre brings together 13 Mediterranean member states, affirming its capacity to serve as an effective platform for advancing agricultural cooperation and opening new avenues for the exchange of expertise and products.