New Delhi, Jan. 15 : Syria and Nepal today said that they were interested in enhancing cooperation with India in the fertiliser sector.

Delegations from these two countries conveyed this message to Chemicals, Fertilizers and Steel Minister Ram Vilas Paswan.

Paswan welcomed both delegations. The Syrian delegation was led by Petroleum and Mineral Resources Minister Sufian Al Alao, while the Nepalese team was led by that country''s Commerce and Supplies Minister Rajendra Mahato.

India and Syria have shown interest in signing an MOU at the Government level for long-term cooperation in phosphate sector and setting up of plant for production of phosphatic fertilizers and phosphoric acid for making them available to both Syrian and Indian markets.

Paswan handed over a draft MOU to Alao and requested Syria to consider making rock phosphate available to the proposed joint venture plant at a preferential price.

Once the MOU is signed, the Indian entities will work out technical and economic feasibility of the joint venture project for production of phosphatic fertilizers and phosphoric acid in Syria.

Mahato and Paswan discussed the supply of fertilizers from India to Nepal. India has reportedly agreed to export 20000 MT of Urea,
5000 MT of complex fertilizers and 2500 MT of MOP to Nepal at international prices.

The Nepalese Minister also requested Paswan to consider the setting up of a urea plant in Nepal for production and supply of urea to Nepal. Paswan said that India is presently engaged in the revival of the Barauni Urea plant and examining possibilities of revival of Urea plant at Gorakhpur, and therefore, any further action will be considered after successful completion of these projects. (ANI)