DAMASCUS, Jan 30: Syria’s first stock exchange has opened for pilot trading ahead of the official start of share dealing on March 9, the state news agency SANA reported on Friday.

“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.

The Damascus Securities Exchange will officially open for business on March 9, with two or three trading sessions per week involving a restricted number of shares, SANA said.

The new bourse is part of an economic liberalisation programme and freeing-up of the private sector launched when the ruling Baath party at its June 2005 conference officially adopted plans for a “social market economy.”—AFP