Damascus  - Syria's first stock exchange, which is currently operating in pilot trading, will be officially launched on March 9, media reports said on Friday.

The official news agency SANA reported that interim operations of the Damascus Securities Exchange included five large Syrian companies - the International Bank for Trade and Finance, Bank of Syria and Overseas, Arab Bank-Syria, Banque Bemo Saudi-French, and Al-Ahliah Company for Transport.

"The trial period, which began on Thursday, is aimed at ensuring that the electronic systems, the infrastructure and the training of brokers are working well," the report said.

Rateb al-Shallah, head of the bourse's board, said that the first day of the trial period went well.

Al-Shallah said that the stock market is a great opportunity for those who want to invest their money, adding that they will gain profit and contribute to the growth of the local economy.

President Bashar al-Assad issued a decree establishing the bourse's operator in October 2006. The new bourse is seen as part of an economic liberalisation programme and freeing-up of the private sector. (dpa)