Desk News || France and Syria have agreed to expand cooperation on Syria's reconstruction and economic recovery. French President Emmanuel Macron and Syrian interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa reached this understanding during a meeting held in Damascus on Tuesday.Speaking at a Syria-France business roundtable held at the Presidential Palace in Damascus, Macron said a joint economic committee would be formed in coordination with Gulf countries for Syria's reconstruction. France will also expand cooperation in rehabilitating the country's banking sector, along with energy, infrastructure, and other key sectors.Following the meeting, several investment agreements and memorandums of understanding (MOUs) were signed between various French and Syrian institutions.Ahmad al-Sharaa said Syria is building a modern investment environment based on the rule of law and strong institutions to attract foreign investment. He said the new projects include renewing the civil aviation fleet, airport operations, modernizing the aviation system, offshore energy resource exploration, and developing electricity, water, digital infrastructure, and civil registration systems.He further said that French shipping and logistics company CMA CGM, after signing a deal worth around €230 million to develop the Port of Latakia, has pledged an additional €200 million investment to expand its capacity.Notably, Emmanuel Macron traveled to Damascus on Tuesday, becoming the first French president to visit Syria since 2009.