Syrian Arab News Agency S A N A
Damascus, SANA- Minister of Economy, Mr. Basil Abdel Hanan, discussed Monday with Mr. Jean-Christophe, the World Bank Country Director for the Middle East Department, the resumption of relations between the bank and Syria, as well as the prospects for their development.
Minister Abdel Hanan explained that a joint committee could be formed between the ministry and the bank to evaluate a new beginning for the bank’s operations in Syria.
He noted that the type of funding provided by the bank would determine the type of projects to be financed, given the significant obstacles to cooperation in the energy, agriculture, industry, construction, and infrastructure sectors.
Minister Abdel Hanan also emphasized the importance of granting loans to industrialists whose facilities were destroyed, so they could resume operations, with the possibility of establishing an investment fund to support the industry, should the World Bank provide grants in this area.
For his part, Christophe said that the bank wants to understand Syria’s needs to determine its activities in the country by conducting new studies, updating previous ones, providing technical support, and financing projects across various sectors.
Ruaa al-Jazaeri
