Syrian ministers praised on Monday the ongoing support Saudi Arabia is providing to the “new Syria.”
Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat on the sidelines of the reopening of the Damascus Securities Exchange, Finance Minister Mohammed Yisr Barnieh stressed: “We appreciate Saudi Arabia’s support.”
“Our brothers in Saudi Arabia have backed us in full at the international level and in returning Syria to international financial institutions,” he added, while hailing it for supporting lifting sanctions off the country.
He highlighted Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah’s visit to Syria last week at the head of a large economic delegation.
Saudi investments are on their way to Syria, Barnieh remarked, revealing that a Saudi-Syrian investment forum will be held on June 18 and 19.
Major Saudi companies will take part in the forum to explore promising investment opportunities in various fields, added the minister.
Syrian Economy and Industry Minister Mohammed Nidal al-Shaar echoed the praise for Saudi Arabia, saying it was “natural, inevitable and destined.”
He expressed his joy “at the excitement and determination we sensed from the Saudi delegation in helping Syria along its long path of reconstruction.”
Joint teams have started work on agreements reached with the Saudi delegation, he revealed, expecting tangible results to be reached within a few weeks.
Prince Faisal met during his visit with interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa and Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani.
Trading resumed on the Damascus Securities Exchange on Monday after a six-month closure, as Syria’s new leaders attempt to shore up the country’s battered economy and begin rebuilding after nearly 14 years of civil war.
