Jahangiri, who is in the Syrian capital on the invitation of his Syrian counterpart Ghassan Tayyarah, told IRNA that several joint projects are currently being undertaken by the two sides.

He said Iranian companies are currently constructing a one- million-ton cement company in the city of Hama and several silos in other Syrian cities. A power plant in the port city of Banyas is being reconstructed by an Iranian company, he added.

Syria will serve as a gateway for Iranian companies to Arab markets since Syria will enjoy free trade with other Arab states in the next few years, Jahangiri said.

Expressing his pleasure over the close and amicable Tehran- Damascus political ties, Tayyarah called for further expansion of economic cooperation between the two sides.

He further voiced his ministry's readiness to help promote bilateral economic relations between the two countries.

The Islamic Republic is Syria's true economic partner, the Syrian minister said.

Jahangiri, heading a delegation, arrived here Monday on a three- day visit.