On Tuesday, Syria and Iran signed a joint cooperation program for social care, rural development, micro finance, labor and entrepreneurship.
The program was inked by the Minister of Social Affairs and Labor, Rima Qadiri, and the Iranian Minister of Cooperatives, Labor and Social Welfare, Mohammad Shariatmadari, in the presence of Syria’s Ambassador in Tehran, Dr. Adnan Mahmoud.
The program includes exchanging knowledge, experiences and technical cooperation between Syrian and Iranian institutions in the domains of social care, rural development micro finance, labor and entrepreneurship.
During the signing, the two sides called for an upgraded to the level of joint cooperation and for work on the program to continue on the ground so as to reach tangible outcomes that would reflect positively on the relevant sectors and the citizens in both countries.
Qadiri visited the Training Center in Tehran to inspect the distinguished experience of that center, which constitutes a part of the Vocational Training Organization that is affiliated to the Iranian Ministry of Cooperatives, Labor and Social Welfare.
During the visit, Qadiri discussed with the Deputy Minister of Cooperatives, Labor, and Social Welfare, Soleiman Pakseresht, the possibility of benefiting from the Iranian expertise and implementing it on the ground in Syria through the establishment of a vocational center for the staff, to improve their productive performance.
Qadiri underlined the importance of reaching an agreement with the Iranian side on the idea of establishing a center for cooperation with the Cooperatives, Labor and Social Welfare Ministry.
Pakseresht, for his part, expressed readiness to provide all the capabilities to the Syrian side, particularly in the domain of vocational training to help the workforce in Syria, indicating the possibility of sending a number of trainees to Iran to get the required skills.
Qadiri also met the head of the Mostazafan and Janbazan Foundation (Oppressed and Disabled), Mohammad Saeedikia, in the presence of Ambassador Mahmoud, where he underlined the importance of benefiting from the pioneer experience of the foundation.
Qadiri said that the meeting constitutes a basis for wider joint cooperation that reflects positively on the Syrian people and meets their aspirations as it focuses on productivity more than the care.
She underlined the importance of finding a joint project that targets poor families, by activating the productive stage and achieving a dignified livelihood.
For his part, Saeedikia expressed their full readiness to cooperate with the Syrian Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs in the relevant domains, expressing hope that economic cooperation will reach the level of the distinguished political cooperation between the two countries.
This article was edited by The Syrian Observer. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
