SYRIANNEWS — broadcast
20261105 160000 UTC
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[00:00:07] partnership, whose impact will be and complete
[00:00:13] extent does this From re-establishing the urgent aspects
[00:00:15] so that it can be capable of important sectors to
[00:00:17] restoring productive capacity and moving the economic wheel, Syrian-Saudi
[00:00:21] in Syria in the commercial relations enter a new stage that transcends the presence of political support
[00:00:25] and journalist from to establishing a broad economic and developmental partnership
[00:00:29] that places investment
[00:00:31] Saudi-Syrian bond and reconstruction at the core of the path of cooperation between the two countries.
[00:00:35] The agreements witnessed by the capital Riyadh, with the presence of His Excellency President Ahmed
[00:00:41] This is part of a stage. the first conference for the Minister of Foreign Affairs, I will start from here in the studio with al-Shara and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, are not limited to a specific sector, but rather extend
[00:00:45] to include energy,
[00:00:46] sovereign wealth fund that is among the top ten industry, housing,
[00:00:49] of consecutive steps health, water, defense,
[00:00:50] based on joint cooperation, and financial services in a package that reflects the breadth of cooperation
[00:00:53] and the diversity of its levels. These
[00:00:57] steps gain special importance in light of the challenges
[00:01:00] facing the Syrian economy and its need
[00:01:05] for the thermal power for financing, expertise, one step at a time in partnership.
[00:01:07] Second, that these difficult and technology. Concessional development loans
[00:01:09] exceeding 400
[00:01:13] countries to participate, encouraging million dollars stand out as one of the supporting tools for rehabilitating
[00:01:17] infrastructure and restoring the efficiency of vital
[00:01:20] and I expect, Hiba, facilities, while industrial agreements participation in full open horizons
[00:01:23] for developing production, enhancing
[00:01:27] in cooperation with the Ministry of Defense to prepare this investment, and transferring sector, whether in expertise. However, dollars from the Saudi private
[00:01:29] beyond the numbers and signatures, questions arise regarding
[00:01:33] the nature of this partnership and the extent
[00:01:36] of its impact on the Syrian economy and its ability to
[00:01:39] transition from financing recovery projects to
[00:01:43] building a sustainable productive
[00:01:45] base, as well as its repercussions on the future of economic
[00:01:49] and political relations between
[00:01:52] Damascus and Riyadh.
[00:01:54] the components. There is also a common factor Do the Syrian-Saudi agreements
[00:01:58] step and its repercussions represent a turning point at the beginning of the path of economic recovery and reconstruction?
[00:02:02] like that. So today, And what can this partnership add to the opportunities for development
[00:02:06] and stability in Syria? A new episode of the program "Syria Time"
[00:02:10] with me, Hiba Al-Masalma.
[00:02:26] and together we are working
[00:02:28] take handouts from
[00:02:31] His Excellency President Ahmed Al-Shara and Saudi Crown Prince
[00:02:36] when the Syrian economy needs and Prime Minister Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud witnessed the signing
[00:02:41] the region has enjoyed some stability that helps of a number of agreements and memoranda of understanding
[00:02:43] to enhance the frameworks of joint cooperation between
[00:02:46] the two countries. More details in this
[00:02:50] and its emphasis on it is the first report. From rebuilding infrastructure
[00:02:54] to moving the wheels of production, and from restoring
[00:02:57] service sectors to establishing strategic
[00:03:00] context for building the state. partnerships, the Syrian-Saudi agreement opens
[00:03:03] a new page in the course
[00:03:06] of relations between the two countries, titled
[00:03:10] There is another aspect also in this "Investing in the Future" and transforming political cooperation into developmental
[00:03:13] and economic projects that touch the lives
[00:03:16] of Syrians and support the recovery
[00:03:18] process.
[00:03:22] an Arab stronghold in this A wide range of agreements and memoranda of understanding place
[00:03:25] vital sectors before new opportunities for advancement.
[00:03:30] After the capital Riyadh witnessed the signing
[00:03:32] of agreements that included energy, industry,
[00:03:36] housing, health,
[00:03:38] in one front to achieve this water, defense, and financial services, in the presence of His Excellency President Ahmed Al-Shara
[00:03:42] and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
[00:03:45] At the forefront
[00:03:48] of these steps are six concessional
[00:03:52] development loans worth over
[00:03:56] and what are the wounds that 403 million dollars to finance projects whose effects
[00:04:00] extend beyond rehabilitation towards restoring
[00:04:03] productive capacity and improving the quality of services.
[00:04:07] The rehabilitation of the Aleppo Thermal Power Plant means
[00:04:11] support for the electricity system,
[00:04:13] its political and economic weight and the development of water networks enhances the efficiency of resource
[00:04:17] management, while the rehabilitation of civil defense centers,
[00:04:20] hospitals, and housing units
[00:04:23] constitutes a direct investment in community security
[00:04:28] today, Syria. Syria and stability. As for the industrial agreements, they open
[00:04:32] the components of the Syrian state the door for the exchange of expertise and technologies,
[00:04:35] the development of industrial cities, supply chains,
[00:04:38] and attracting investments, thereby enhancing production
[00:04:41] opportunities and creating a more
[00:04:44] identity, returned to the Arab embrace. This capable environment
[00:04:46] with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, for attracting projects and providing job opportunities. In the defense
[00:04:50] track, the signing of the cooperation agreement
[00:04:53] between the Syrian and Saudi Ministries of Defense
[00:04:56] comes to add an institutional dimension to the partnership
[00:05:00] between the two countries.
[00:05:03] From financing to investment, and from exchanging
[00:05:06] expertise to building capacities, the features
[00:05:10] or impede the state's movement of Syrian-Saudi cooperation
[00:05:11] it is a step are taking shape. It carries promising opportunities
[00:05:14] and lays foundations for a long-term
[00:05:19] on development, reconstruction, and building
[00:05:22] a more stable and prosperous
[00:05:25] future.
[00:05:29] To discuss this topic, we have with us in the studio Ahmed Jassim
[00:05:32] Al-Hussein, writer and political researcher,
[00:05:35] and Jasser Al-Jasser, writer
[00:05:38] Riyadh, and from Riyadh also Mohammed Al-Bishi, editor-in-chief
[00:05:41] of Al-Iqtisadiah newspaper, and Dr.
[00:05:45] Mahmoud Abdel Karim, financial and economic expert from Dubai.
[00:05:48] Welcome all.
[00:05:52] Professor Ahmed Jassim Al-Hussein. Professor Ahmed, if
[00:05:56] agreements were signed in Riyadh between Syria
[00:05:59] and Saudi Arabia, can we say today
[00:06:02] that we are moving in Syrian-Saudi relations from
[00:06:06] the stage of strengthening political relations to a multi-dimensional
[00:06:09] strategic partnership?
[00:06:17] Good evening, Hiba, and good evening to the viewers of Syrian News, and indeed, it is Syria Time and also Saudi Arabia
[00:06:20] Time this time. Yes, because first, the visit
[00:06:24] came after a visit that took place a few days ago, meaning
[00:06:27] two visits in one month, and this indicates the level
[00:06:30] of coordination between the two countries,
[00:06:34] in addition to the nature of the reception and who
[00:06:36] accompanies His Excellency the President on this
[00:06:40] visit. Also, there was talk
[00:06:43] during the past period about a set of agreements
[00:06:47] that today materialized and became a reality, and therefore, Syrians
[00:06:51] today look at these agreements not as promises
[00:06:54] of reconstruction from businessmen, with all due respect to this
[00:06:58] sector, but rather as something
[00:07:01] that contributes to building the state, and this
[00:07:04] also reflects the keenness of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
[00:07:07] to move Syrian institutions forward. This
[00:07:11] also supports the idea that
[00:07:14] the Kingdom is moving with this country
[00:07:17] and is trying to help heal its wounds,
[00:07:20] and therefore, here we are transitioning from the idea
[00:07:24] of aid
[00:07:26] or the idea of assistance to the idea of building, building
[00:07:30] the Syrian state, helping to build the Syrian state, to the idea of continuous
[00:07:34] recovery. Sustainability also, the idea of the loan.
[00:07:38] Syria today does not want to
[00:07:41] others. Rather, the idea is that this loan is a concessional loan
[00:07:45] from brothers
[00:07:49] to help build certain sectors. These sectors are related
[00:07:52] to energy, related to emergencies, related
[00:07:56] to health, related to infrastructure, related
[00:07:59] to water, related to multiple
[00:08:02] aspects, all of which serve the Syrian citizen, and these
[00:08:06] projects have been submitted and are not
[00:08:09] financial figures transferred to the Syrian budget. Rather, they are
[00:08:13] specific projects, here electricity, here
[00:08:16] water, here electricity meters, to
[00:08:19] their place and within a timeline and within specific frameworks and financial
[00:08:23] transfer mechanisms, meaning assistance in building the state,
[00:08:26] and this is what the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
[00:08:29] has promised. So the matter is not
[00:08:32] salaries for employees or a matter
[00:08:36] of oil or something else, but rather developmental
[00:08:38] projects in this country, and this
[00:08:42] comes from the keenness of the Kingdom to see Syria move in the right
[00:08:46] direction, and on the other hand, Syria today
[00:08:49] has counted its wounds and is focusing
[00:08:52] on what are the priorities, what is the first wound that we need to close
[00:08:56] or treat, then the second wound, then the third, because the authority
[00:09:00] in Syria today inherited a country that was destroyed
[00:09:03] and devastated. Therefore, it defined the priorities
[00:09:09] we need so that this body can heal itself little by little.
[00:09:12] Oh, Professor Jasser, if Syria has counted
[00:09:15] its wounds, as Professor Ahmed says, and the Kingdom
[00:09:19] of Saudi Arabia, as usual, is helping
[00:09:23] Syria heal these wounds. Professor Jasser, what
[00:09:26] makes Syria today an important arena
[00:09:30] for Saudi investment
[00:09:32] and cooperation? Good evening,
[00:09:36] good evening. No, it is not
[00:09:40] has always been an important arena at all levels.
[00:09:44] Syria is a sister country, with deep-rooted relations,
[00:09:47] a shared history, an important Arab axis
[00:09:51] that was occupied and therefore returned to its original
[00:09:56] aspect of celebrating this radical and important transformation
[00:10:00] and this beautiful return. What
[00:10:02] makes the Kingdom connected to Syria is not
[00:10:06] only developments, and not only a transition from one stage to another.
[00:10:10] I think this is part of the course of these agreements. And these collaborations
[00:10:13] are part of the course of cooperation and integration between
[00:10:16] the two countries. It is a long-term plan that is not limited to
[00:10:20] this stage, or rather,
[00:10:24] in this long ladder that supports the Syrian state
[00:10:28] to be a stable, secure,
[00:10:31] and integrated state. We see that this type of agreement is
[00:10:35] strengthening the infrastructure of the state and feeding it completely
[00:10:40] in the process of growth and investment in the future. There is no
[00:10:43] primary goal of investing
[00:10:46] sense. There is investment in Syria in the authentic Arab country
[00:10:50] that will be one of the main factors for stability. This
[00:10:56] is in complete harmony with the leadership. From
[00:11:00] the first moment, the Kingdom stood by Syria and held
[00:11:05] Mr. Assad Al-Shaybani, when he attended in Riyadh. It was the first conference
[00:11:09] that confirmed the legitimacy of the new system
[00:11:12] in Syria, the legitimacy of this radical transformation in Syria, and took all
[00:11:16] the necessary steps to lift sanctions, lift
[00:11:19] international sanctions, and restore the financial system. All
[00:11:22] of these are attempts today. This is a boost
[00:11:25] in continuous steps. First, to confirm that stability
[00:11:28] is essential in the Arab world.
[00:11:32] circumstances do not change anything about future directions. We
[00:11:35] are working to build the future jointly and establish a nucleus
[00:11:39] for our Arab societies in a rational,
[00:11:42] objective, and precise manner. It is not
[00:11:45] just a matter of emotions. It is a matter of understanding the nature of crises
[00:11:48] and how to deal with them. Second, facilitating the possibility
[00:11:52] of the Syrian state providing basic services, both financial
[00:11:56] and non-financial, in cooperation. Defense cooperation and building the military
[00:11:59] identity of the Syrian state are also very important for it to be a capable
[00:12:03] and stable state, because the more complete the factors of stability
[00:12:06] are, from infrastructure services to security infrastructure to
[00:12:10] strategic cooperation, Syria will be able to be a gateway
[00:12:13] for investment in the near future, and it is on its way to that and possesses
[00:12:33] and European countries, in strengthening Professor Jasser, from a political
[00:12:36] perspective, what does the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia want to tell the world
[00:12:39] through these agreements with Syria? It says
[00:12:42] that Syria is a free Arab country
[00:12:45] that is coming to a near future, and we are by its side,
[00:12:51] to achieve this stability in the region and ward off the challenges
[00:12:54] and threats that affect the region's stability from all
[00:12:58] sides, whether Iranian or Israeli or otherwise. Therefore, Syria must regain
[00:13:02] its prestige, strength, and full and real presence,
[00:13:05] and this is what we must work on. Therefore, we also call
[00:13:09] on others to come and make Syria a platform for investment,
[00:13:13] a platform for cooperation in this aspect, a very important vital center,
[00:13:17] geographically and strategically, a country that is moving very quickly.
[00:13:20] The Syrian state is moving towards stability quickly, facing multiple
[00:13:24] and dangerous crises. Syria is being torn apart by wolves
[00:13:27] from all sides, but it has also been able to stand firm and transform in a short period
[00:13:31] into a state with these clear and strong features, and these are signs
[00:13:34] of stability and strength, and this continuous feeding of this aspect is what
[00:13:38] achieves this aspect to a large extent and contributes to accelerating the process
[00:13:42] of stability in Syria and its growth and prosperity, and therefore Syria will remain
[00:13:47] aspect. It will also remain an important platform for the extension of the world
[00:13:50] of stability in the region, and the bet is that our bet
[00:13:54] on our future is existing, alive, and flourishing, no matter how threatening
[00:13:57] or dangerous the surrounding
[00:14:08] the editor-in-chief of a specialized
[00:14:11] economic newspaper.
[00:14:14] How do you describe the nature of the financial
[00:14:18] structure of these concessional agreements from
[00:14:22] the Kingdom? Yes, welcome Hiba
[00:14:25] and the viewers of Al-Akhbaria and the guests who are participating
[00:14:29] in this episode or this program. Certainly, today Saudi Arabia has established
[00:14:33] different foundations for what has been done after it exercised
[00:14:38] on the global level and paved the way for
[00:14:42] restoring Syria's economic face to the world through, first, lifting
[00:14:46] sanctions as a first stage, then
[00:14:49] contributing to the re-inclusion of Syria within the SWIFT
[00:14:52] system or the global system, the global financial system
[00:14:56] and the dollar system, lifting all sanctions that prevented businessmen
[00:14:59] and economists from around the world and countries from dealing
[00:15:03] with Syria. This stage was very important.
[00:15:06] The new leadership in Syria, in cooperation
[00:15:11] contributed to working on it during the past
[00:15:15] two years and succeeded greatly in bringing Syria
[00:15:18] back to the economic scene after the previous regime contributed
[00:15:22] to keeping it away from the global financial system for decades.
[00:15:26] What the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is doing, whether through the agreements of the Saudi
[00:15:30] Development Fund or even through the Saudi
[00:15:34] private sector, is breaking the barrier of fear among the global
[00:15:37] business community that Saudi Arabia today is offering loans
[00:15:41] exceeding 400 billion US dollars
[00:15:44] for vital and important sectors that contribute
[00:15:48] to laying the foundation for the Syrian economy, and I am talking here about
[00:15:51] the health, energy, and banking
[00:15:55] and financial sectors, and defense sectors, which are
[00:15:58] important sectors through which Syrians can then
[00:16:02] launch into the world and seek to attract global and foreign investments
[00:16:06] when there is a strong, important, and ready
[00:16:10] foundation, and among these foundations is the Saudi
[00:16:12] desire and Saudi financial openness to Syria, which
[00:16:16] gives confidence, and you know that Saudi Arabia is one of the top twenty economies
[00:16:20] in the world and has a huge
[00:16:24] sovereign wealth funds in the world, so when it places its confidence
[00:16:28] in the Syrian economy, other funds, whether international
[00:16:32] or governmental, will follow. I want to add, Hiba, that
[00:16:35] today's interest and the signing of these agreements, for example, we are talking about
[00:16:38] 90 million dollars
[00:16:43] that produces a large amount of electricity in Syria,
[00:16:45] 100 or 90 million dollars for the reconstruction of 1000
[00:16:49] housing units. These vital projects are only from
[00:16:53] the government. We also await the Saudi private sector,
[00:16:58] that it will approach this figure of 400 million
[00:17:04] tourism or in culture or in the entertainment
[00:17:07] sector or in the hotel sector or the telecommunications sector. We have already
[00:17:11] heard during the past year and this year about a number
[00:17:14] of Saudi businessmen and there is a Supreme Council
[00:17:18] and a coordination council between Riyadh and Damascus that addresses
[00:17:21] vital projects that can be attractive to the Saudi private
[00:17:25] sector. What I want to say is that this step that was signed today between
[00:17:28] Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and President Ahmed Al-Shara
[00:17:32] is a fundamental and important
[00:17:35] will be felt not only in the region
[00:17:38] but also among international investors.
[00:17:41] Oh, Dr. Mahmoud Abdul Karim, if
[00:17:44] the value of the six development loans
[00:17:47] exceeds 400
[00:17:50] million dollars, doctor, what is the economic
[00:17:53] importance of these financings at this particular stage,
[00:17:57] and what are the sectors
[00:17:59] in which they can have a direct
[00:18:02] impact? Good evening to you and the esteemed
[00:18:05] guests. In my opinion, the importance
[00:18:07] of the financing lies in the fact that it comes
[00:18:11] at a time
[00:18:14] to restart its basic facilities and not just to inject
[00:18:17] additional funds. We
[00:18:20] are talking about 403 million dollars distributed over six
[00:18:24] development projects that aim to address real bottlenecks
[00:18:28] that hinder the return of production and improve
[00:18:31] the standard of living, and I believe that the most important impact
[00:18:34] begins with the electricity sector, which was allocated 90 million dollars to rehabilitate
[00:18:38] the Aleppo Thermal Power Plant. The goal was
[00:18:42] and it also aims to improve electricity supplies
[00:18:45] to about 5 million people. This
[00:18:49] is not just a household service. Regular electricity means
[00:18:53] that there is capacity for factories and workshops to work
[00:18:56] continuously, in addition to reducing reliance on generators
[00:18:59] and expensive fuel, thus reducing production
[00:19:03] costs and improving the competitiveness of Syrian industry.
[00:19:07] As for the housing sector, there are 60 million dollars to rehabilitate
[00:19:11] up to 1000 housing units, which helps
[00:19:14] families return and revitalizes construction work and provides
[00:19:17] more job opportunities for craftsmen
[00:19:20] and workers. As for civil defense, it received
[00:19:24] the largest allocation of 105 Yes, the largest share was
[00:19:27] indeed for the establishment and equipping
[00:19:31] of 25 centers from which more than 7 million people
[00:19:34] are expected to benefit from its services, and its economic
[00:19:37] importance is that it removes rubble and mines
[00:19:41] and opens roads and agricultural lands,
[00:19:44] which allows economic activity to return to areas
[00:19:47] that were outside the production cycle. There are also 100
[00:19:51] million dollars for health and 30 million dollars for installing
[00:19:54] 3000, 30,000 smart water meters,
[00:19:57] which improves service and management efficiency. We
[00:20:01] also cannot forget the digital transformation project for government financial
[00:20:05] services, which can improve
[00:20:07] revenue collection and transparency of spending. The additional advantage
[00:20:11] of this package is that the concessional loans
[00:20:14] extend for 20 years, with a five-year
[00:20:17] grace period, which reduces financial pressure during the recovery
[00:20:21] phase. Therefore, the direct impact is expected
[00:20:25] to be in the electricity, housing, health,
[00:20:28] and emergency sectors, while the broader economic impact will appear
[00:20:32] gradually when production and investment return. In my opinion, this is
[00:20:35] a very positive step, especially since
[00:20:38] it represents a first push, but its true success will be measured
[00:20:42] by what is achieved on the ground in terms of services and job opportunities and an improvement
[00:20:46] in the life of the Syrian citizen. Yes, Professor Ahmed, as mentioned
[00:20:50] by Dr. Mahmoud, the civil defense and emergency sector received
[00:20:53] the largest share, 105 million dollars for the rehabilitation and establishment
[00:20:56] of 25 centers and the removal of mines and remnants
[00:21:00] of war. To what
[00:21:03] investment contribute to strengthening security, strengthening
[00:21:07] local stability and also facilitating
[00:21:09] the return of families to their areas? Today, the Syrian
[00:21:13] citizen is concerned with two aspects:
[00:21:17] the first aspect is security, and the Syrian state
[00:21:21] has achieved remarkable successes
[00:21:24] during the short period, so that the citizen
[00:21:27] can move in Syria wherever he wants without
[00:21:31] feeling that there is any danger threatening him. What remains
[00:21:34] is the aspect of mines that were planted by several
[00:21:38] parties in this country. These mines cannot
[00:21:42] be built upon without removing them. We noticed yesterday that the company
[00:21:45] that is trying to start
[00:21:48] building the Deir ez-Zor-Damascus highway,
[00:21:52] initially asked the Syrian Ministry of Defense
[00:21:56] to have engineering teams
[00:21:59] inspect both sides of the road for a distance of 5
[00:22:02] km from each side in order to remove the mines.
[00:22:05] So things are interconnected. It is like
[00:22:08] a complete circle. Perhaps preparing
[00:22:12] to remove mines and thus the Ministry of Emergency
[00:22:17] aspect is a step towards reconstruction.
[00:22:28] The largest share for it. Yes,
[00:22:31] and therefore, to my knowledge, the Ministry of Emergency
[00:22:35] in cooperation with the Ministry of Defense has prepared
[00:22:37] two plans to measure all Syrian
[00:22:41] lands and ensure that they are free of mines and harmful
[00:22:45] materials. You know that there are some materials that have a carcinogenic
[00:22:48] effect or something
[00:22:52] the aspect is an aspect that perhaps cannot be measured for the citizen
[00:22:56] or perhaps many do not feel its importance, but it is in building
[00:22:59] countries. You want to first ensure that the existing soil
[00:23:03] and land are safe for everyone who
[00:23:06] moves on them, and therefore, this
[00:23:09] leads us to the idea of developing the state. Today, many observers
[00:23:13] demand that the Syrian state implement comprehensive planning at the state
[00:23:16] level, and this comprehensive planning is perhaps one of its first
[00:23:20] entrances, it is true that it is done through satellites and large companies
[00:23:23] that undertake planning, but one of the main tools is to ensure that this
[00:23:27] land, soil, and rivers are safe
[00:23:31] and there are no harmful materials that could cause a problem.
[00:23:35] Therefore, the assistance of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in this regard
[00:23:40] step in reconstruction and building so that
[00:23:43] the following steps can move forward, and this
[00:23:47] comes within a strategic
[00:23:50] Countries are not built only by buildings
[00:23:53] and towers, but also by the citizen's sense
[00:23:56] of security.
[00:24:00] agreement, which is the focus on the aspect of sustainable
[00:24:04] development, long-term development, whether it is in the thermal power
[00:24:07] plant in Aleppo or the health aspect
[00:24:10] or something else. This means that the work today is not
[00:24:13] focused on simple things or things related
[00:24:16] to direct livelihood as much as it is related to building
[00:24:20] the state, and building a state without health, without
[00:24:23] a safe geography, without electricity, without roads, without
[00:24:27] these services, the country cannot move forward.
[00:24:30] Well, Professor Jasser, also among
[00:24:34] the agreements that were signed is an agreement signed between
[00:24:37] the Ministries of Defense of the two countries.
[00:24:41] What is the message from that? Defense cooperation between Saudi Arabia
[00:24:45] and Syria? Of course, I believe that this is a very
[00:24:48] necessary stage and step to enhance Syria's
[00:24:52] defense capabilities. A nascent state, a new state,
[00:24:55] whose entire capabilities, the capabilities of the original
[00:24:58] state, were unfortunately wasted, destroyed,
[00:25:02] and stolen. Therefore, rebuilding this basic structure
[00:25:05] that protects the state and provides security is essential. Developing capabilities
[00:25:09] is a very important matter for achieving stability in the country.
[00:25:12] I emphasize, Hiba, that these agreements were not random
[00:25:15] or arbitrary. They sense the nature of the fundamental
[00:25:19] problems that hinder
[00:25:22] from economic and developmental advancement internally and from achieving
[00:25:26] factors of stability. Syria is not in need of loans,
[00:25:30] really. Syria possesses highly competent human
[00:25:33] capabilities. It possesses natural capabilities
[00:25:37] that are available. It is only paralyzed due to the pressing
[00:25:41] necessities and due to the circumstances it is experiencing and the destruction
[00:25:44] that its infrastructure has suffered at all levels. Therefore, today, this
[00:25:48] outlook, these agreements, their nature is based
[00:25:52] on, let's say, addressing the pivotal wounds
[00:25:55] that obstruct or hinder
[00:26:00] towards growth, development, and stability,
[00:26:02] and that impede the desire of others to invest in Syria,
[00:26:06] and that hinder or make the Syrian citizen
[00:26:10] immigrant doubt returning to his country and working
[00:26:13] there completely. So, it is a system of establishing infrastructure,
[00:26:16] which is very important at all levels for it to be an active country.
[00:26:20] It cannot be a developing country as Dr. Mahmoud mentioned. There can be no
[00:26:24] agriculture or industry without electricity.
[00:26:28] Electricity is a very essential and pivotal factor. This state
[00:26:31] of stability cannot be achieved without a highly
[00:26:34] skilled and high-quality security infrastructure that possesses technological
[00:26:38] and qualitative components and weaponry in this regard.
[00:26:44] I confirm that this context is not new, not
[00:26:48] strange. It is part of a series
[00:26:53] continuous coordination, reaching points, addressing
[00:26:56] the most critical and essential issues. What do we need
[00:27:00] today urgently, and what can we do today to achieve
[00:27:03] that? So we are taking
[00:27:06] This partnership is not based on the idea that this Saudi-Syrian
[00:27:10] cooperation is only limited to encouraging other
[00:27:16] broad Gulf participation, and other international
[00:27:21] cooperation in, I mean, achieving also security, on cooperation
[00:27:25] in removing the radio and challenges that can
[00:27:29] affect Syria, benefiting also from this political presence.
[00:27:40] in these difficult circumstances, and to establish a series of balanced
[00:27:44] and very smart relationships despite these circumstances, in a way that helps
[00:27:48] the country move towards its internal structure completely and
[00:27:51] address its internal problems of an economic
[00:27:54] and developmental nature primarily.
[00:27:57] This is a transformation today. We say the challenge now is for Syria
[00:28:01] to return as it was to its previous state. Not as
[00:28:04] it was in the regime. When Syria was splendid. Today, we
[00:28:08] all know that Syria, we yearn for the Syria that was,
[00:28:12] Syria the state that possessed high agricultural capabilities.
[00:28:15] Syria, I mean, Syria that emerged debt-free, can
[00:28:19] work today and transform with this message that comes to everyone
[00:28:23] today, "Come to Syria, let's work for Syria."
[00:28:26] And this is an effort, I think, but
[00:28:29] there are, I mean, the non-coercive channels that
[00:28:33] the Kingdom is using to urge countries, organizations,
[00:28:36] and conferences soon. Perhaps the conditions have calmed down a little,
[00:28:40] and
[00:28:43] flexible movement. There will be work for the issue of reconstruction,
[00:28:46] a project to fund projects, to fund
[00:28:49] international partnerships. I mean, the picture will be different, but here
[00:28:53] today, the foundations have been laid, the essential
[00:28:56] necessary components have been laid. Electricity is a right, health
[00:29:00] is a right, and reconstruction is on one side.
[00:29:10] Professor Muhammad, are there perhaps deeper
[00:29:13] regional messages and connotations than bilateral connotations
[00:29:17] between Syria
[00:29:19] and Saudi Arabia?
[00:29:22] The message as a whole, or the first and most
[00:29:25] important message, is that Syria today is more ready
[00:29:29] to move to the stage of actual construction. Ah.
[00:29:32] And that Saudi Arabia and the Gulf states in general have started
[00:29:36] investing in Syria out of a sense of trust in this
[00:29:39] distinguished economy. This is because all those
[00:29:42] partnerships that took place today,
[00:29:45] and before that, also were based on two important criteria.
[00:29:49] The first criterion is Saudi Arabia's capabilities in these fields,
[00:29:52] whether in the fields of digital transformation or in
[00:29:56] the fields of energy
[00:29:59] and energy management. And distributing
[00:30:03] loads and distributing energy sources within
[00:30:05] Syria.
[00:30:08] Yes, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has expertise in this regard.
[00:30:11] Also in the issue of housing. Today, Saudi Arabia has major companies
[00:30:15] and has implemented major projects in the field
[00:30:17] of housing.
[00:30:20] So Saudi Arabia started from the advantages it enjoys, and also started from
[00:30:23] the needs of Syrians today. As my colleagues said, these are essential
[00:30:27] needs, but they are also important
[00:30:30] for establishing a new economy. What is special about
[00:30:34] Syria is that it has capabilities, I mean,
[00:30:37] there are great opportunities. I mean, today
[00:30:40] Saudi investors and even the Saudi government are investing or
[00:30:44] providing soft loans because they are confident that the Syrian
[00:30:47] economy is capable of achieving gains, whether
[00:30:51] for Saudi investors or other
[00:30:54] investors. The Syrian economy has three, three
[00:30:58] vital and important sectors.