SYRIANNEWS — broadcast
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[00:00:00] To the news summary: President Ahmed Al-Shara discussed with
[00:00:03] government officials the launch of a set of projects in
[00:00:07] Aleppo governorate.
[00:00:09] evening to you. Of course, this These include real estate development, tourism and industrial facilities, and the establishment of
[00:00:15] meetings. We have a long history in an exhibition city. This
[00:00:16] Republic. This took place during a meeting that included Al-Shaar, Minister of Economy and Industry in the the Secretary-General of the Presidency of the Republic,
[00:00:19] Abdul Rahman Al-Aama, and the Ministers of Agriculture, Basil
[00:00:22] Al-Suwaidan, Tourism, Mazen
[00:00:25] willing, this vital
[00:00:25] the importance of a group of scientists from Al-Salhani, Public Works and Housing, Mustafa Abdul Razzaq,
[00:00:28] the Governor of Aleppo, Azzam Al-Gharib, and the Director General
[00:00:31] of the Investment Authority, Ahmed Rawad Ramadan,
[00:00:34] Uzbekistan. We visited this and a number of
[00:00:36] officials.
[00:00:40] The Ministry of Energy called upon those dismissed from their jobs
[00:00:43] due to the revolution to review the specified locations for each
[00:00:47] name according to the schedules it published via an electronic link.
[00:00:51] The ministry stated that this call comes to complete
[00:00:54] the next phase of return-to-work procedures,
[00:00:58] as the number of those who received the call reached
[00:01:01] 341 workers in various entities
[00:01:05] affiliated with the ministry, while the ministry confirms its continuation
[00:01:09] in studying the remaining requests and files to
[00:01:12] restore employment rights to their
[00:01:17] a country like Uzbekistan not owners.
[00:01:19] The Internal Security Forces announced the arrest of former Major General
[00:01:22] Ahmed Mohamed
[00:01:24] concluded with a meeting with Ismail, one of the first-line leaders in the Republican Guard
[00:01:27] during the reign of the defunct regime.
[00:01:30] The Internal Security Forces clarified that the military records
[00:01:34] of the detainee show his progression in a number of leadership
[00:01:37] positions, as he started as a platoon leader, then a company
[00:01:42] to complete the journey. We rely heavily on commander in the second battalion
[00:01:42] with its counterpart affiliated with the
[00:01:47] free economy in all countries relies on from the Uzbek side. There 101st Airborne Regiment before his promotion in early 2016 to
[00:01:52] today by the Syrian side, by Good evening again. The Uzbek-Syrian Chief of Operations of the same regiment. The Internal Security Forces also indicated that
[00:01:56] Ismail directly participated in leading the attacks
[00:02:01] on the cities of Aleppo,
[00:02:03] Mr. Muhammad, to this Daraa, and Eastern Ghouta.
[00:02:04] The
[00:02:08] Drug Control Directorate in Homs Governorate announced the dismantling of
[00:02:11] a criminal network specialized in drug
[00:02:16] Syrian expertise in this Syria had a large cotton trafficking, which relied on entrapping youth into drug use to recruit them
[00:02:21] strength in for theft, during a security operation carried out
[00:02:24] in cooperation with the Special Tasks Forces. It indicated that
[00:02:28] the raid operation witnessed an armed
[00:02:31] clash that resulted in the neutralization of the network leader
[00:02:34] and his assistant, and the arrest of nine of its members,
[00:02:39] manufactured many after precise monitoring and follow-up operations
[00:02:42] that lasted for weeks.
[00:02:44] one billion dollars or more in The operation resulted in the seizure of 23,000 Captagon pills
[00:02:47] and about 12 kilograms of
[00:02:52] Agency in the hashish, and a quantity of crystal
[00:02:54] methamphetamine, in addition to firearms and various
[00:02:58] stolen materials.
[00:03:02] The Directorate of Emergency and Disaster Management in
[00:03:05] Al-Hasakah Governorate launched a response
[00:03:07] Of course, all these points were mentioned in plan to reduce the risks of floods
[00:03:10] and torrents in the areas most exposed to danger,
[00:03:13] based
[00:03:15] they wear in Saudi Arabia, proposals and visions Syrians know what on the assessment, to assess the risks and floods
[00:03:20] environment, in parallel with that the governorate witnessed during the past year. The Director of the
[00:03:25] So we are talking about this Directorate of Emergency and Disaster Management in Al-Hasakah, Abdul Halim Al-Shehab, said that the plan
[00:03:29] targets areas located on the banks of the
[00:03:32] Khabur River and wadi channels,
[00:03:35] especially in Al-Hamis, Al-Yaarubiyah, and Ras Al-Ain,
[00:03:40] How do you assess this with the aim of enhancing early preparedness and reducing potential damage that
[00:03:44] may affect residents, property, and infrastructure.
[00:03:48] The
[00:03:51] summary concludes. In God's
[00:03:54] is not keeping.
[00:05:05] both sides us an overview of this Good evening, dear viewers, and welcome to a new episode of
[00:05:09] begin serious work on the Syria Tonight program. Good evening, Salam. Good evening to you. Abdel
[00:05:12] Qader, good evening to you too, viewers. Welcome to the Syria Tonight
[00:05:16] files. In our first
[00:05:18] file,
[00:05:22] the Minister of Economy and Industry issues a decision to
[00:05:25] form the Syrian-Uzbek Business Council with the aim of regulating the work of
[00:05:29] joint business councils.
[00:05:30] In
[00:05:35] our second file, we discuss
[00:05:38] the National Commission for Missing Persons completing the first
[00:05:41] training program on DNA laboratories in
[00:05:44] The Hague and how to use these programs in the search
[00:05:48] for
[00:05:48] missing persons.
[00:05:53] And in our third file, we discuss the lifting by the United
[00:05:57] States of America of restrictions related to arms sales
[00:06:00] and military financing to Syria, as part of previous
[00:06:04] measures related to sanctions imposed
[00:06:07] on it.
[00:06:12] We also present, within our files for this evening, the local
[00:06:15] calls in the Deir ez-Zor countryside for the continued operation of educational
[00:06:19] complexes and the response of the Directorate of Education and Teaching to
[00:06:23] these
[00:06:23] calls.
[00:06:28] In our last file, the Governor of Raqqa, Abdul Rahman
[00:06:31] Salameh, speaks to Al-Ikhbariya about the difficulties faced by the
[00:06:35] governorate and the plans put in place to rehabilitate its infrastructure.
[00:06:39] infrastructure.
[00:07:04] Business Forum was held in the Uzbek capital, Tashkent, with the participation of a delegation from
[00:07:08] the Ministry of Economy and Industry
[00:07:12] and representatives of government agencies and the business sector in both countries.
[00:07:16] The forum's activities focused on discussing opportunities for economic,
[00:07:19] commercial, and investment cooperation between
[00:07:23] the two countries. Yes, Abdul Qader. The Minister of Economy
[00:07:26] and Industry, Nidal Al-Shaar, issued a decision to form the Syrian-Uzbek Business Council
[00:07:30] from the Syrian side, as part of regulating the work of
[00:07:34] joint business councils. The decision stipulated the council's commitment
[00:07:37] to work in accordance with the provisions of the
[00:07:41] system. for joint Syrian business councils
[00:07:45] with countries
[00:07:46] around the world.
[00:07:50] From government support and facility modernization to
[00:07:53] digital transformation and export expansion, Uzbekistan's experience
[00:07:56] in developing light industries was the focus of the visit
[00:07:59] of the Minister of Economy and Industry, Nidal Al-Shaar, to the Light Industry Development
[00:08:04] country. Minister Al-Shaar reviewed the agency's working mechanisms
[00:08:08] and programs in supporting industrial projects and companies
[00:08:11] and providing. and facilities, in addition to its role
[00:08:14] in modernizing facilities and introducing modern technologies, which
[00:08:18] contributes to increasing productivity and enhancing the competitiveness
[00:08:21] of products. Digital transformation was present in the Uzbek presentation
[00:08:24] through the provision of digital services to industrial
[00:08:28] enterprises, streamlining procedures, and improving the business
[00:08:32] promotion mechanisms for investment and export
[00:08:35] and attracting foreign investments. The visit also covered
[00:08:38] the experience of coordination between the agency and specialized
[00:08:42] sectoral associations, especially in the textile, clothing,
[00:08:45] leather, and footwear industries, with the aim of developing production
[00:08:48] and improving quality and opening more markets for local
[00:08:52] products.
[00:08:55] The importance of this experience for Syrian-Uzbek cooperation
[00:08:58] comes in light of the development achieved by Uzbekistan in the light industries
[00:09:02] sector, where its textile industry exports reached
[00:09:05] approximately 2.6 billion dollars in
[00:09:09] 2025, reaching 75 countries, while
[00:09:12] the country aims to increase
[00:09:16] the value of these exports to 4 billion dollars in
[00:09:19] 2026.
[00:09:22] The Syrian Federation of Chambers of Commerce and the Uzbek Chamber of Commerce and Industry
[00:09:26] signed a memorandum of understanding in February
[00:09:29] last year aimed at enhancing the exchange of economic
[00:09:33] information, organizing joint business events and forums,
[00:09:36] and supporting the participation of companies in exhibitions.
[00:09:40] Between developing light industries and exchanging
[00:09:43] expertise, the textile, clothing, leather,
[00:09:46] and footwear sectors appear to be among the most prominent areas for enhancing Syrian-Uzbek
[00:09:50] cooperation and benefiting from the Uzbek experience
[00:09:52] in production, export, and attracting
[00:09:55] investments.
[00:09:59] On this topic, we are pleased to host Mr.
[00:10:02] Mohammed Yassin Hourieh, Assistant Minister of Economy and Industry
[00:10:05] for Industrial Affairs. He joins us
[00:10:08] live from Tashkent. Welcome, Mr. Mohammed, and thank
[00:10:12] you for being with us on the Syria Tonight program. First, please give
[00:10:17] forum held in
[00:10:19] Tashkent.
[00:10:22] In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Good
[00:10:34] delegation was led by Dr. Nidal
[00:10:38] Syrian Arab delegation included more than
[00:10:42] 40 businessmen, Syrian industrialists, and traders.
[00:10:45] Of course, the goal of this visit is to
[00:10:49] transform previous meetings
[00:10:52] and encounters into a practical reality. This visit
[00:10:56] is not the first for a Syrian economic delegation to
[00:10:59] country in February of this year,
[00:11:02] and there was also a visit from an Uzbek delegation
[00:11:06] to Syria in June. Aha.
[00:11:09] This visit comes today to crown these
[00:11:12] meetings and to crown these forums
[00:11:15] and turn them into a practical reality. Of course, the first day was full
[00:11:19] of meetings, starting with a visit to
[00:11:21] the Uzbek Light Industry Development Authority
[00:11:25] which is concerned with light and medium industries,
[00:11:28] which are, of course, widespread in Syria. This
[00:11:32] visit was very beneficial in learning how to
[00:11:35] regulate and how to deal with these small
[00:11:38] and medium enterprises and develop them and transform them into
[00:11:41] productive enterprises that produce high-quality goods
[00:11:44] and export goods. Of course, the first day also
[00:11:49] the Uzbek Minister of Investment,
[00:11:53] where an agreement or a memorandum of cooperation was signed and
[00:11:57] a joint committee was established between Syria and Uzbekistan
[00:12:01] to coordinate on the governmental side between Syria and
[00:12:04] Uzbekistan, each sector
[00:12:09] will be meetings, there will be joint rooms,
[00:12:13] there will be a long dialogue, God
[00:12:16] willing, to turn this visit in particular
[00:12:19] into a practical reality and start commercial and economic movement between
[00:12:23] the two countries, God willing. Welcome back,
[00:12:28] file to talk about this important visit.
[00:12:31] From the last point you raised,
[00:12:34] you talked about this
[00:12:37] visit and concluded several meetings
[00:12:39] and crowned them to transfer visions into practical
[00:12:43] application. Tell us about this point in more detail.
[00:12:47] How will this practical application be? What priorities
[00:12:51] are we talking about?
[00:12:53] Of course, what comes to the minds of the dear viewers is, first, why
[00:12:57] Uzbekistan? Uzbekistan is a country in Central
[00:13:00] Asia that has borders with all Central Asian
[00:13:04] countries. It is a new market. It is an open
[00:13:07] market. It went through an experience similar to the Syrian experience.
[00:13:10] It transformed from a closed economy to a liberalized
[00:13:13] open economy several years ago and achieved
[00:13:16] significant economic growth. It has extensive experience
[00:13:20] in transitioning from a closed economy to an open economy.
[00:13:23] Uzbekistan has enormous natural resources of copper
[00:13:27] and agriculture, cotton, dried
[00:13:31] fruits. These are all raw materials that can be
[00:13:34] used in industry in Syria. Many
[00:13:39] for cooperation between Syria and Uzbekistan in this field
[00:13:43] were presented, including the establishment of joint
[00:13:46] factories in Syria. Also, Uzbekistan is a
[00:13:50] landlocked country. It does not have borders with the sea. So
[00:13:53] it wants a gateway to the Mediterranean to export its goods to
[00:13:57] the European and African markets. So through
[00:14:00] these meetings, several proposals were presented,
[00:14:04] including what is called the Green Road between Syria and Uzbekistan, and also, as
[00:14:07] I mentioned, the establishment of factories in Syria. Of course, these factories have
[00:14:11] great benefits if established in Syria in terms of employment and in terms
[00:14:14] of exports. God willing, there
[00:14:17] will be other meetings after this meeting. There will be
[00:14:21] more specialized and more technical and more
[00:14:25] specialized meetings for each field separately. Of course,
[00:14:29] the traders and industrialists who were with us today at the forum
[00:14:33] signed several agreements, export agreements for raw
[00:14:36] materials, and also explored the Uzbek market for things that can
[00:14:40] be exported to this market, including medicines and fertilizers that
[00:14:43] Syria is famous for. So this all, God willing, aligns with
[00:14:47] the vision of the Ministry of Economy and Industry to open new markets, to develop
[00:14:51] industry, and to reconnect Syria and restore it to the international map, God
[00:14:54] willing. God willing. Okay, Mr. Muhammad, the Minister of Economy
[00:14:58] and Industry, Mr. Nidal
[00:15:01] Al-Shaar, spoke about, or learned about, the experience of
[00:15:05] light industries in Uzbekistan. Why was
[00:15:08] the focus, both from the Ministry
[00:15:11] and from the Uzbek side, on light
[00:15:14] industries? And what is the impact of transferring
[00:15:18] this experience, given that you mentioned that
[00:15:22] Uzbekistan has an experience similar to what
[00:15:25] Syrians are experiencing today?
[00:15:28] My dear brother, we in the Ministry of Economy and Industry start from the reality
[00:15:32] we are facing in Syria. Syria, after coming out of long
[00:15:36] years of war, has facilities exposed to destruction,
[00:15:39] and facilities exposed to depreciation. The machines are old.
[00:15:43] Most of the factories in Syria are
[00:15:45] small and medium-sized and spread throughout
[00:15:49] Syria. These factories must rise,
[00:15:53] they must achieve added value, we must
[00:15:56] transfer to them an experience that happened with
[00:15:59] other countries in their renaissance and in their transition to a qualitative
[00:16:03] leap. Of course, to transform from local industries, simple
[00:16:06] industries, to developed industries and export
[00:16:10] industries. This is what we aspire to. We want to bring all
[00:16:13] experiences. We do not want to reinvent the wheel from scratch. We must
[00:16:17] bring similar experiences to the Syrian
[00:16:19] experience. We start from the Syrian reality. We start from the current
[00:16:23] Syrian economy, and God willing, we will move step by step with the industrial
[00:16:26] brothers. We will move step by step until we achieve
[00:16:29] the vision we mentioned and mention in all
[00:16:32] meetings, which is the return of Syria to its industrial position,
[00:16:35] the return of Syria to export. The return of Syrian products to all
[00:16:39] shelves in all places in the world, God
[00:16:43] willing. Aha. Okay, the intersections of the Syrian
[00:16:46] and Uzbek experiences, as you mentioned, Mr. Mohammed, create a common
[00:16:49] economic ground, but when talking about, for example,
[00:16:54] having maritime borders, while Syria has a geopolitical
[00:16:57] and strategic location that connects
[00:17:00] three continents, then what does Uzbekistan want from
[00:17:04] Syria in this context and in the expansive
[00:17:08] visions? We are talking about transferring some industries to Syrian
[00:17:11] territories.
[00:17:13] Of course, Uzbekistan, as a rising
[00:17:16] economic power currently and in the process of economic
[00:17:20] transformation, as we mentioned, is looking for new markets. It
[00:17:23] is looking for investments. It is looking for international
[00:17:27] agreements that bring it closer to the
[00:17:30] maritime facade that Syria possesses. Of course, as we know, Syria has a facade,
[00:17:34] and all
[00:17:36] countries in the world look at Syria as an investment
[00:17:40] opportunity, and among these countries is Uzbekistan. So it
[00:17:43] seeks to develop its industry in Syria. It seeks to
[00:17:47] export. It seeks to market its raw materials. As
[00:17:49] we mentioned, we in
[00:17:53] production of one million tons per year, but after the war
[00:17:57] and long years, production became very small, and we have a large
[00:18:00] textile base in Syria, especially in Aleppo. This textile base
[00:18:04] needs raw material. This raw material is available here in
[00:18:07] Uzbekistan. So this is all an opportunity for integration and cooperation between
[00:18:11] the two countries. We want to increase trade
[00:18:15] from 400 million dollars in
[00:18:18] 2025, God willing, to
[00:18:21] this year and next year, God willing, to more than that, God
[00:18:25] willing. Okay, Mr. Muhammad,
[00:18:28] can we talk about the exchange of expertise between
[00:18:32] the two sides, the Syrian side and the Uzbek side,
[00:18:35] and even the training
[00:18:38] of cadres, whether in Uzbekistan or in other friendly
[00:18:41] countries?
[00:18:45] the discussions. We had a long and extensive meeting with the Uzbek
[00:18:48] Minister of Investment. All these points were raised, including
[00:18:51] training and qualification, and joint exhibitions.
[00:18:55] From the Syrian delegation, Mr. Mohamed Hamza, the Exhibition Director, was
[00:18:59] with us in the delegation. God willing, there will be exhibitions for Syrian products in
[00:19:02] Uzbekistan, and also exhibitions for Uzbek products in Syria. Of course,
[00:19:06] it started with the opening of the Uzbek House in Aleppo during the previous
[00:19:09] visit of the Uzbek delegation. All these matters were put on the table.
[00:19:13] We, God willing, in the Ministry of Economy and Industry,
[00:19:17] all that benefits the Syrian citizen and all that improves
[00:19:21] the living standards in Syria, we strive for it. The issue of training and qualification is very
[00:19:25] strong. They have visited factories in Uzbekistan that are very strong.
[00:19:28] They have modern machines. They have development.
[00:19:31] They have industrial automation. They have digital transformation.
[00:19:35] All these matters, God willing, we strive for them. And as I said,
[00:19:38] we look to the ends of the earth and to
[00:19:41] its west to search for what benefits our people and what
[00:19:45] develops, God willing, Syrian industry, specifically in this matter.
[00:19:48] Let's not stray too far, Mr. Muhammad. The exchange
[00:19:51] of expertise between the two countries regarding
[00:19:55] Syrian expertise as individuals,
[00:19:58] especially given this convergence and similarity in the Syrian and Uzbek
[00:20:02] experiences, are there specific
[00:20:06] industrial sectors for which you have actually
[00:20:09] set a specific program with a specific timeframe
[00:20:13] and specific delegations to visit
[00:20:16] Uzbekistan with the aim of deepening
[00:20:18] their industrial and economic expertise?
[00:20:21] Of course, the primary and largest sector in
[00:20:25] Uzbekistan and Syria is the textile sector.
[00:20:28] The sector in which direct cooperation is possible is this
[00:20:31] sector. So through joint chambers and through the joint committee,
[00:20:35] God willing, specialists from the government and from business councils and from businessmen
[00:20:39] and industrialists from
[00:20:42] will be appointed to, as we say,
[00:20:47] the ground. Of course, there will be visits of delegations from Syria to
[00:20:50] Uzbek factories. There will be knowledge transfer. There will be the issue of
[00:20:54] digital transformation that they have, as I mentioned. And also,
[00:20:58] we do not underestimate Syrian expertise. We do not underestimate the Syrian industrial mind that
[00:21:01] we always talk about in all
[00:21:05] textiles. We have many factories spread throughout
[00:21:08] Syria. We have the nine textile rings in Syria.
[00:21:12] We are exporters of clothing. God
[00:21:15] and large sector that Syria was famous
[00:21:19] for, as we always say, since the sixties, will return, God willing,
[00:21:23] to its position. So the first sectors that were talked about
[00:21:26] is the textile sector, as I mentioned. Also, they have a need in
[00:21:30] Uzbekistan for the pharmaceutical sector. We also have in Syria
[00:21:34] more than 85 human pharmaceutical factories
[00:21:37] that export medicines. We can also benefit from our experience, God
[00:21:40] willing, in transferring expertise to them. We have expertise in the field of fertilizers. All of this, God
[00:21:44] willing, will be done through specialized joint
[00:21:47] chambers that will include all
[00:21:51] specialists from all sides, God willing. In conclusion, and in addition to these
[00:21:55] joint chambers, Mr. Muhammad, His Excellency
[00:21:59] Minister Nidal Sha'ar issued a decision to form the Syrian-Uzbek Business
[00:22:02] Council on the Syrian side, as part of regulating the work of joint business councils. Many
[00:22:06] may ask about the role of these joint
[00:22:09] councils in supporting the economy, in looking
[00:22:12] at the economic file and other files that are also
[00:22:16] discussed. Of course, as we mentioned, the governmental
[00:22:20] side signed an agreement or a memorandum of understanding with the
[00:22:23] Uzbek side to form joint committees. It is also necessary
[00:22:26] for the private sector
[00:22:32] the private sector in Syria. The advanced and
[00:22:37] the private sector. So the business councils that were signed
[00:22:42] Dr. Nidal Al-Shaar, through
[00:22:45] the Uzbek-Syrian forum that was held today in
[00:22:48] Tashkent. The Business Council will have
[00:22:52] a major role in connecting businessmen between the two sides. We have
[00:22:55] a union of chambers of industry and a union of chambers of commerce. They also have, on
[00:22:59] their side, a union of chambers of industry and commerce. These joint
[00:23:03] business councils have a major role. We have come a long way
[00:23:07] in business councils. We have more than 22. Of course, today, number
[00:23:10] 22 is the Uzbek-Syrian
[00:23:13] Council, which was announced by our side and will be
[00:23:17] announced by the Uzbek side
[00:23:19] as well. regarding the Uzbek-Syrian Business Council. So, as
[00:23:23] we mentioned, we must have connections from all aspects, whether
[00:23:26] governmental, private sector, or specialists. We will also
[00:23:30] have, as I mentioned, a joint chamber for roads and
[00:23:34] for logistics, as they say. A long road
[00:23:37] of 3,000 km from Uzbekistan to Syria
[00:23:40] requires facilities and agreements with several
[00:23:44] countries. So all of this, God willing, will be discussed
[00:23:47] and will be turned into a practical reality, God willing, through the chambers
[00:23:50] I mentioned. I thank you very much, and thank
[00:23:54] you for your efforts, Mr. Mohammed Yassin Hourieh, Assistant Minister of Economy and Industry
[00:23:57] for Industrial Affairs. You were with us live from the Uzbek
[00:24:01] capital, Tashkent.
[00:24:04] We remain in the same context and expand on it further. With us here in the studio
[00:24:08] is our guest, Mr. Firas Shakour, an economic analyst. Welcome back,
[00:24:11] Mr. Firas. Welcome.
[00:24:15] cooperation and the new horizons offered by the Uzbek-Syrian
[00:24:18] partnership. Starting from shared visions
[00:24:22] only and memorandums of understanding to joint committees, and today crowned
[00:24:26] with the Syrian-Uzbek Business Council.
[00:24:30] direction, Syria, in the first place,
[00:24:34] and this newly announced partnership? Greetings to you and
[00:24:37] to all the dear viewers. Of course, this
[00:24:40] is very important work that the new
[00:24:44] Syrian government is doing, and it is focusing on the textile sector, which
[00:24:47] reduces the unemployment rate in Syria, and as
[00:24:51] we know, Syria was famous for textile
[00:24:54] industries very much, but
[00:24:57] it lagged behind due to the devastating war created by
[00:25:01] the defunct regime. The focus now is on textile
[00:25:04] industries with countries that are advanced in these
[00:25:07] industries to bring new expertise. As
[00:25:11] we know, many Syrian expertise have either
[00:25:15] emigrated or traveled or are outside Syria
[00:25:18] currently. Now, the textile sector in
[00:25:21] Syria needs new factories,
[00:25:25] new workshops, new cadres, and new
[00:25:29] companies. Of course, there is a great interest, both
[00:25:32] for Syria and for Uzbekistan. As we know,
[00:25:35] Uzbekistan has no sea.
[00:25:39] It wants to open new markets. Syrians
[00:25:42] are very skilled in marketing, especially if there are
[00:25:45] developed industries in textile industries.
[00:25:49] It has a great interest in reducing the unemployment rate in
[00:25:52] Syria to bring new machinery. As
[00:25:56] we know, all of Syria now has,
[00:26:00] there are worn-out or old textile machines.
[00:26:11] to create new job opportunities for Syrian
[00:26:15] youth, for the available
[00:26:19] Syrian expertise, it wants
[00:26:22] new machines, new industry.
[00:26:25] In Syria, there is export to all
[00:26:28] parts of the world. A large gate of Syria.
[00:26:32] to all parts of the world and has
[00:26:34] great efficiency in working in Syria. Welcome
[00:26:38] back, Mr. Firas. You followed what Mr. Muhammad spoke about the
[00:26:42] issue of why Uzbekistan and specifically
[00:26:45] the issues related
[00:26:47] to work or light
[00:26:51] industries.
[00:26:53] When we talk about the textile file,
[00:26:57] production, trade, investment, and technology
[00:27:00] transfer, there is
[00:27:02] perhaps a strong and solid partnership
[00:27:06] being built today between Syria and Uzbekistan. Of course,
[00:27:10] there is an agreement they are working on to
[00:27:13] enhance it on the ground to build factories on
[00:27:17] the ground. When there are small factories
[00:27:20] working, there will be a lot of labor. That means
[00:27:24] a large number of small projects will
[00:27:27] move the economic wheel in Syria. There will be
[00:27:31] strong production. As we know, there may
[00:27:33] be very large markets
[00:27:37] for Uzbekistan, but it has no gateway
[00:27:39] for export. If exports were by air,
[00:27:43] it would be very expensive. If exports were by sea, there is no
[00:27:47] sea in Uzbekistan. As we know, it is surrounded by several
[00:27:50] countries. It has no sea. If
[00:27:53] it wants to export its products, it could be very
[00:27:56] costly. Whereas in Syria, wages will
[00:28:00] be low in sea transport or in
[00:28:04] worker wages. The Syrian worker
[00:28:07] is, wages are very
[00:28:11] good for Uzbekistan compared to Syrian
[00:28:15] wages. And there is also great
[00:28:18] field. And Syria also has a great
[00:28:23] export. As we know, Syrians
[00:28:27] are very skilled in trade
[00:28:30] and exporting and distributing to countries
[00:28:33] around the world very much. In Turkey,
[00:28:36] Syrians moved textile factories
[00:28:38] and
[00:28:41] things. And the Syrian product is characterized
[00:28:44] by having a sophisticated taste, whether
[00:28:48] it is, for example, the winter
[00:28:51] season, the summer season, the spring,
[00:28:54] or the autumn. I mean, they are distinguished. They have experience.
[00:28:58] very big. They have good taste
[00:29:02] in models. They know
[00:29:05] how the manufacturing process is managed
[00:29:08] and how the seasons are managed
[00:29:11] in these We must not forget that
[00:29:18] in Algeria, in Tunisia. It was a very
[00:29:21] big trade. They come to the Hamidiyeh market or they come to Aleppo
[00:29:24] and they buy large quantities of fabrics.
[00:29:28] And Syria now needs new
[00:29:31] factories to rehabilitate factories and restart the fabric
[00:29:34] industry and export it to the countries of the world.
[00:29:38] Well, when we talk about
[00:29:41] economic intersections, there are 3000 kilometers separating
[00:29:45] the two countries, but the common economic interests have overridden all these
[00:29:48] geographical borders or the distance, if I may say so. Yes.
[00:29:52] Uzbekistan
[00:29:56] one of the major economic countries, but it has excelled in some
[00:30:00] sectors, namely textiles. There has been a textile
[00:30:03] economic boom in Uzbekistan over the past five
[00:30:05] years. There has been a huge leap, and therefore Syria
[00:30:09] focused on this aspect through the first textile exhibition a while
[00:30:13] ago. And that's why perhaps the attention turned to
[00:30:16] Uzbekistan. What can this Asian
[00:30:19] country add to Syria in this specific
[00:30:22] context and accelerate the Syrian textile renaissance? Of course,
[00:30:26] when I want to take my experience, I want to take my experience from someone
[00:30:30] who has succeeded in this field or is successful in this field
[00:30:33] and whose successes have increased from
[00:30:37] year to year. Syria is adopting the same approach. It sees
[00:30:40] and looks at who is successful. Syria wants to succeed.
[00:30:44] Syria wants to rise. Syria wants to strengthen this
[00:30:47] industry. I mean, the textile industry wants to rise
[00:30:51] with it because it will be this
[00:30:53] industry will
[00:30:57] create very many job opportunities.