Damascus - The idea of Syria becoming a gateway for Brazilian exports to the Middle East was proposed by president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva during talks with the president of Syria, Bashar Al-Assad.

According to minister of Development, Industry and Foreign Trade, Luiz Fernando Furlan, who participated in the talks, an agreement will be signed today with Brazilian businessmen for the construction of a US$150 million sugar refinery in Damascus. Brazil will export one million tons of sugar to Syria for refining. The sugar will supply the domestic Syrian market and be exported to other Arab nations. (AB)