Google Cloud Speech-to-Text API (Chirp) + Gemini 2.5 Flash Non-Thinking. Treat it as a searchable index of what was broadcast, not a quotation record.
00:00:01The American congressman talks about a slowdown in the American
00:00:04movement towards Syria. This slowdown
00:00:07may open the way
00:00:08for
00:00:11Jawlsen, the American congressman. Yes, it is a slowdown. The slowdown
00:00:15in American movement may open the way for Syria
00:00:18to turn towards
00:00:21direct contact with China. I want how to prevent overlap in to ask you about
00:00:23this. Let's say Washington cares about it. I mean, Washington
00:00:27might worry. No, I
00:00:29honestly. Economically, doctor, economically,
00:00:34when agreements are signed with because everyone is talking about American businessmen coming.
00:00:37And America always talks about investing in
00:00:40Syria. Today, the American congressman says, "Beware."
00:00:44Yes, in fact, I
00:00:46so on. So Syria's importance emerges from don't know why he said, "Beware," but the reality says that Syria
00:00:49is now an investment opportunity for all companies that want
00:00:53to enter. This is because Syria is now in category A, they said.
00:00:56Even if the sanctions are lifted, this does not
00:01:00mean that economically, things or the flow of American
00:01:03money or to... True, but as
00:01:06meeting with you know, we are still a young nation now, and we want to build
00:01:10our country. There are pressures even now, as you know. We can
00:01:14link this to negotiations with the Zionist entity and other
00:01:17political issues that can be pressured
00:01:21by slowing down the wheel of economic recovery in Syria.
00:01:24And that means, even now, in the project of
00:01:28sanctions that were removed theoretically, but practically, there are still
00:01:32some details that
00:01:34support trade." It's all have not yet allowed Syria to return to the banking
00:01:37system, the flow of investments. One of the questions
00:01:40that the Chinese delegation raised was the banking structure,
00:01:44how to transfer money to and from Syria. If you come to
00:01:48Syria and build a factory, how can we transfer money? Is there
00:01:51a guarantee? What are the banks that can
00:01:54provide us with ease of movement of funds? Regarding
00:01:58the political relationship or the existing political pressures,
00:02:01we cannot separate it from the Syrian-Chinese conflict. When we say
00:02:05that Syria is heading towards China,
00:02:08this is in fact a general trend essentially, meaning it is not directed
00:02:11against American investments or against any country. But it is about
00:02:15the sensitivity of American policy towards not only Syria,
00:02:19but around the world. It is about the Sino-American conflict
00:02:22essentially. As you know, even
00:02:27Implementation on the ground, implementation on the relationship between America and Pakistan and India,
00:02:30and the strategic relationship. But countries don't wait for who takes the opportunity. Who takes the opportunity? This is what
00:02:34we are saying now. So we in Syria cannot wait. We
00:02:37are in a race against time. We are in a phase of recovery, and I am not biased.
00:02:40Of course, we have no bias. We want to build balanced
00:02:44relationships. He has
00:02:46two biases.
00:02:48I am the type who likes, I like China. Why? Because I
00:02:52have seen what the Chinese have done. And then there is a very
00:02:55important thing. Our culture, our culture is very
00:02:59close.
00:03:03Yes, okay. I want to ask you about Chinese companies. We are talking today about reconstruction.
00:03:07What can Chinese companies offer
00:03:09occur or are based on regarding reconstruction in terms of
00:03:12cost and quality? Today, for example, one of
00:03:15the companies told the Investment Authority, "I
00:03:18will come and build 40
00:03:21you know, there are projects in 40 housing units, one housing unit, one
00:03:24housing unit." So he came and asked, "What will you give me?" So the Investment
00:03:27Authority told him, "I have no problem giving you the land."
00:03:38I can give you half of the building after I build it, for example, I'll give you 20
00:03:41our stance, whether thousand, for example. Yes, this issue means, it means partnership,
00:03:45doctor, partnership. Now, regarding China,
00:03:49China actually has
00:03:54expatriates, and by the way, the Syrian community in economic relationship based on accumulated experience, speed of execution, and the highest specifications and standards. And we lived in China for a long time, and
00:03:58we saw with our own eyes the economic renaissance in the field of
00:04:01construction and real estate development, and in the field of infrastructure, industry,
00:04:05and so on. They actually have speed in
00:04:08execution, and they adhere to
00:04:13now, many deadlines, and they also have the financial and logistical capabilities and practical
00:04:16experience to carry out
00:04:19factories as a result of competition with this matter. are closing, especially in Perhaps, we know
00:04:22that if Chinese companies
00:04:25can investments in enter, especially in the field of real estate development,
00:04:27they really need to prepare
00:04:30the legislative structure. And as
00:04:33its balances in you know, we currently have problems in some projects in Syria, expropriation projects that
00:04:37occurred, whether in Damascus or in other real estate development projects
00:04:40that are happening, they need to be given,
00:04:44investment areas free from all expropriation
00:04:49would not say problems and other legal problems that hinder this work. And the Chinese are ready for this matter,
00:04:53as Mr. Anas mentioned. The issue
00:04:55that we are now is that China will come, but it will not come unless it benefits.
00:04:58But there is pain.
00:05:02I will return to China. Today, the President is in Riyadh,
00:05:05Dr. Mohammed. There is anticipation and the signing of several agreements
00:05:09and memoranda of understanding during the visit. I want to ask you about
00:05:13the weight that these agreements constitute in supporting
00:05:16the Syrian economy and infrastructure.
00:05:20Yes, in fact, we now need to build bridges
00:05:23and open doors to everyone in general, especially with the brotherly countries
00:05:27surrounding Syria. Syria, for the Gulf countries,
00:05:30primarily, is a very important strategic
00:05:34corridor for goods and even currently for energy, oil, and so on.
00:05:37The signing of these agreements connects Syria to its Arab surroundings
00:05:41and achieves strategic benefit for both countries. For example,
00:05:46Saudi Arabia or Kuwait, as you know, the Strait of Hormuz crisis
00:05:50now was a decisive moment
00:05:53for changing strategic thinking regarding transportation, energy, and
00:05:59this. And in our relations, of course, Syria
00:06:02within economic agreements with all Arab countries
00:06:06and with the Gulf countries in particular, there is
00:06:09a specificity, and mutual benefit
00:06:12that enhances Arab economic security in general
00:06:15and the Syrian national economy in particular. Mr.
00:06:18Anas, of course, the relationship between Syria and Saudi Arabia
00:06:22is a special relationship, both politically and economically, and important
00:06:25Saudi support. From your point of view, how can Chinese companies
00:06:28view this Saudi-Syrian rapprochement?
00:06:31No, currently, many
00:06:34companies that were with us today are located
00:06:37in Saudi Arabia and are implementing projects. So,
00:06:41the way to speed up matters within
00:06:44Syria can be through Saudi Arabia. How? Good.
00:06:48Currently, there is equipment in Saudi Arabia, there is a lot of equipment,
00:06:51and there is also already
00:06:54the material you need in Syria. So this will definitely
00:06:58help. I mean, companies will instead of importing goods or
00:07:01merchandise from China, which takes 70 or 80
00:07:05days, it will be there in three days.
00:07:08The Saudi presence or the financial cover,
00:07:12yes, regional, perhaps, facilitates
00:07:15the work of Chinese companies and perhaps reduces investment risks. I
00:07:19don't know for them, I mean. True, true. For them, of course, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,
00:07:22with its economy and its position
00:07:25and its financial capabilities, they have strategic
00:07:29relations with China, also from the economic side. The Kingdom
00:07:32of Saudi Arabia is considered the largest, almost,
00:07:36it and Iran are among the largest countries that export oil
00:07:39to China. And China is working on
00:07:43energy security and building very large warehouses
00:07:45to store oil there and relies
00:07:48on finding alternative solutions. For the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,
00:07:52certainly, the close relationship with Syria
00:07:55currently and the economic linkage through agreements contribute to strengthening
00:07:59the position of both countries, Syria and China, in their position, whether
00:08:03in terms of negotiation or in terms of
00:08:07capabilities with China. China, when it deals
00:08:10with a bloc or with a country, for example, it is different from dealing with a small
00:08:14country. And the world is now moving towards economic
00:08:17blocs that
00:08:21mutual benefit, such as the BRICS agreement, for example. Countries
00:08:25that are working to create a global economic
00:08:27bloc that confronts the American
00:08:30project, for example, in the region. And as the world
00:08:34for economic and political
00:08:37alliances. Of course, it could be an economic alliance, but it is
00:08:41essentially political. Regarding our relationship with
00:08:44our brothers in the Gulf and with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in particular, it is
00:08:48a strategic relationship, a relationship of brotherhood, a relationship
00:08:51of integration. And the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia stood by the Syrian people
00:08:54during the past years and even after liberation. It
00:08:58provided all facilities, and we are now looking forward to a strategic
00:09:03common interest and the security of both countries, whether from an economic
00:09:07or political perspective, or other. Dr. Mohammed, in the context
00:09:11of your speech, I wanted to return to the idea, but the conversation
00:09:14took us to another topic. You mentioned that the banking problems, the banking
00:09:18infrastructure in Syria, have problems. Are these
00:09:22internal problems, or are we talking about international restrictions? No, these are problems, the largest
00:09:26part of which are internal, basically. Updating the banking infrastructure in terms of
00:09:29the internet. Today, the internet is weak in Syria. Maybe there is no internet.
00:09:33There is internet today, and what does this require? How
00:09:37infrastructure and developing the digital infrastructure in general, and developing the internet
00:09:41and communications network. Open
00:09:51an account. Mr. Anas probably knows that in China or any country in the world, it doesn't take
00:09:55all these procedures, and it doesn't take, I mean, there were Saudi
00:09:58companies like Zain and even now.
00:10:01Even now, they have entered, but the projects have not yet started, but they
00:10:05have not been completed yet and need time. So the banking sector
00:10:09in particular is based on the digital infrastructure,
00:10:12the internet in Syria. And this is one of the top priorities that must be addressed
00:10:16to solve the banking crisis. As for external problems, which is the issue of
00:10:20linking with international banks and the global SWIFT system, which
00:10:23is a messaging system between banks, we need there
00:10:27requirements from the World Bank and other banks around the world
00:10:31to ensure the freedom of these funds and the issue
00:10:34of money laundering and verifying the source of these funds and banking
00:10:38and credit trust. Dr. Mohammed,
00:10:41as a member of the People's Assembly, do we
00:10:45need to update legislation,
00:10:48new legislation regarding economies or
00:10:52foreign investments and keep them away from
00:10:55bureaucracy? True, true. This is indeed one of the primary
00:10:59and largest tasks we face now after forming the Investment, Reconstruction,
00:11:02and Sustainable Development Committee in the People's Assembly. The first thing we did
00:11:06was to go to the Investment Authority
00:11:08and communicate with all government entities related to investment
00:11:12to know the current legislative
00:11:15structure and the areas
00:11:18of overlap between these legislations that hinder the work of investors, whether
00:11:21domestic, national, or international. And we held several
00:11:25meetings with the Investment Authority, and tomorrow, tomorrow, God willing,
00:11:28we have a morning
00:11:31the Minister of Housing and later with the Land
00:11:35and Sea Ports Authority and Customs,
00:11:38as well as with the Sovereign Fund and the Ministry
00:11:41of Finance. I'll give you news, a scoop. Now the Minister of Finance,
00:11:45the Minister of Finance, will be our guest in the People's Assembly, God willing, in the next
00:11:48session to listen to some
00:11:52new developments, and also as the People's
00:11:55Assembly, many, many questions
00:11:58about financial matters related to
00:12:01the budget.
00:12:04Like you made us trend last time. So the Minister of Finance,
00:12:08Dr. Mohammed Yasser Pernia, will be in a
00:12:12hearing under the dome
00:12:14of the Syrian
00:12:17People's Assembly. We will not ask what
00:12:21you will ask and how the session will be. And the previous sessions were important
00:12:25sessions, frankly, and very
00:12:28frank. Mr.
00:12:32Anas, the Syrian-Chinese relationship is not new, and it's not from
00:12:3614 years ago, maybe
00:12:39centuries old. To what extent
00:12:41does Chinese knowledge
00:12:44of Syria facilitate
00:12:48investment work? Now, there are several ways
00:12:51for this. Currently, let's talk about
00:12:55the shipping company sector. Many shipping companies
00:12:59are now willing to enter Syria. I mean, now there is
00:13:03something that some people I know are doing, for example, they are
00:13:06building a company in
00:13:09China and building a company in Syria
00:13:12to facilitate their internal affairs. I mean, they
00:13:16also want to invest in Syria.
00:13:19Even anyone from Syria who wants
00:13:22to also make investments in China
00:13:25as well, I told you, the Chinese are smart. The Chinese must
00:13:29benefit and benefit. Aha.
00:13:31Okay, I want to talk about the future
00:13:35prospects of the future of the Syrian-Chinese
00:13:38relationship, the European-Chinese
00:13:41relationship, the American relationship, the Arab-Syrian
00:13:45relationship. How do you see it? How do
00:13:48you see it, Dr. Dr.
00:13:51Mohammed? Where will we reach? Syria this
00:13:54year might achieve economically. I don't want memoranda
00:13:57of understanding, something definite. Definitely. In fact, this forum
00:14:01is for moving from,
00:14:03I mean, dispensing with memoranda of understanding to practical transition in general to
00:14:07working on the ground and the entry of investments directly.
00:14:10Therefore, the issue of understanding, memoranda
00:14:13of understanding, we have put it aside, and this forum
00:14:17is an announcement of the beginning of these companies
00:14:20entering the Syrian market, God willing. As for what you mentioned about
00:14:26and the economic conflicts, whether the American-Chinese
00:14:29conflict or the European or so on, as you know, the matter is not specific to
00:14:33Syria currently. The European-American conflict
00:14:38European companies
00:14:40Germany, car factories and other
00:14:44rising Chinese companies that
00:14:47offer high quality and low
00:14:51prices compared to European
00:14:54or American products. So the conflict is now intense, especially in the field
00:14:58of artificial intelligence, infrastructure, digitalization,
00:15:02and advanced technological fields
00:15:05that have gone beyond the traditional economy in general. As
00:15:08for Syria, we are now building an economy, building
00:15:12an economy, I
00:15:14almost from scratch, frankly, as you know, the years of destruction that
00:15:18this criminal regime inflicted upon the Syrian people destroyed the infrastructure.
00:15:22And by God, when I look, for example, at Qaboun, Qadam, Jobar, and we have
00:15:25in Homs, all Syrian governorates were completely
00:15:29destroyed. It's a heartbreaking sight, basically. But
00:15:32the good news, thank God, is that after liberation, there is now
00:15:35an economic
00:15:37wheel that has started, thank God, and as evidence, the return
00:15:40of many, hundreds, I don't say dozens of factories
00:15:44to work again and the replacement of production lines, whether in the Adra industrial area,
00:15:48whoever goes to Adra, whoever goes to Hassia city in Homs,
00:15:51will find dozens of factories that have started work,
00:15:55and daily, I am in
00:15:58the brothers in the industrial zone in Hassia. Daily, there are
00:16:02many investors buying land and starting work, and there are grants
00:16:06of investment certificates to investors to start also in
00:16:09Sheikh Najjar area, and there is also the opening of some other
00:16:13industrial areas, whether in the coast or in Hama or in the Deir
00:16:16area soon, God willing, there will be a renewal of the industrial zone,
00:16:20and in Daraa also, there is a renewal
00:16:23of the industrial zone, God willing, as well as the issue of
00:16:27artisanal zones. And today, the Chinese delegation also had
00:16:31an interest in free zones.
00:16:33for trade. So this is a very useful matter, also
00:16:38to enter into the general investment
00:16:41policy. What I mean to say is that, thank
00:16:45God, the wheel of the economy has started. It is true that
00:16:48it is not at the level we aspire
00:16:51to, but it has started, God willing, and it needs all efforts to come together, God
00:16:55willing. Mr. Anas, there are those who say that
00:16:59this is all media talk. This person wants to
00:17:02invest, this person comes to say, "I want to set up
00:17:05a factory here, a factory here.
00:17:08We want to
00:17:11talk, there's nothing on the ground. Yes,
00:17:14now let's talk about the current
00:17:16reality. Currently, all Chinese companies that
00:17:20came before came to see everything on the ground,
00:17:23but implementation did not happen. That's right, but
00:17:26the people who are here now
00:17:30are here to implement and to work. Then, regarding implementation, many
00:17:34people ask, "Why do we talk so much and
00:17:37there is no implementation?" But there is also something you need
00:17:41to take into consideration. If you are a small
00:17:44company, a small company, when it comes to implement
00:17:47a project, it takes four or five months of studies. So how
00:17:51can you implement a project at a state level? Is it reasonable
00:17:54for it to be done within months? Of course not. I mean, this issue
00:17:58is about the Chinese here on an exploratory visit, or
00:18:02is there implementation on the ground? the ground.
00:18:06Implementation, God willing, through the council, things will
00:18:09be presented on the ground. Yes, tomorrow, God willing,
00:18:13the forum will end today. The meeting will end in a little while.
00:18:16Tomorrow, God willing, these companies will visit the reality, the ground,
00:18:20whether in Homs or Aleppo, God willing,
00:18:24visits to all investment areas that they have shown interest in, God
00:18:27willing, and they are ready to implement directly.
00:18:31And today, appointments have been made with
00:18:34the executive bodies, whether in the Sovereign
00:18:38Fund or the Ministry of Housing, to hold
00:18:42another detailed meeting
00:18:45to sign these agreements, God willing. Did you take the Chinese on a tour in Damascus?
00:18:49Of course, and they ate Syrian food,
00:18:53and they liked it, right? Of course, of course.
00:18:56The Chinese, since I have a chain of restaurants,
00:18:59the Chinese have several things that are already available in China,
00:19:03and it is always said that it is possible, I mean, we have Syrian cuisine
00:19:06in China, and we are present in more than 12 provinces. I want to
00:19:10mention another point. We are talking about Chinese investments in
00:19:13Syria, but we also need to think, we need to think about
00:19:17investing in exporting Syrian products to China. China
00:19:21has a population of 1.4 billion people.
00:19:24So, for example, as Mr. Anas knows, we had several
00:19:28attempts previously, as Syrian
00:19:31China is one of the most successful communities in terms of work, trade, and
00:19:35education. So we had several attempts, for example, to introduce Syrian
00:19:39products to the Chinese market, including, for example, an olive
00:19:42oil company. Olive oil is very, I mean, we are famous
00:19:46for this. And now there is one company that has expressed
00:19:49its readiness to invest in Syrian olive oil, for example.
00:19:53Perhaps some Syrian products, when we find
00:19:55them, we open
00:19:57horizons
00:19:59for the Chinese market, we open the door for Syrian products in the Chinese market.
00:20:03It will be beneficial for the Syrian producer
00:20:06and for the Syrian economy in particular. I mean, the volume of trade between
00:20:10Syria and China has certainly been in China's favor in the past period,
00:20:13and we aspire for there to be
00:20:17another door for Syria to export to China, God
00:20:21willing, and for there to be mutual benefit. The other thing I
00:20:24want to say briefly, we're done. Go ahead,
00:20:27thank you. I am very optimistic, God willing, not only on the Chinese level. It is true
00:20:32facing this event, but it is an introduction to a series
00:20:36of other meetings that will come, God willing, and I am absolutely certain, God
00:20:40willing, from what we have witnessed in terms of
00:20:43readiness from the executive bodies, and we, also in the People's Assembly, God willing,
00:20:47will work to the best of our ability to issue
00:20:50the necessary legislation to accelerate investment, and God willing, very soon there will be a Syrian
00:20:54investment law, God willing, simplified, and God
00:20:58willing, it will solve the majority of, or God willing, we can say all
00:21:02the existing problems, but this requires collecting all
00:21:04ideas and knowing
00:21:08powers, and God willing, it will be good for our country
00:21:11with help. I mean, currently, I'm telling you about myself, I
00:21:15currently have more than three or four
00:21:18Syrian brands. One of them, may I say the name, it's okay?
00:21:22One of them, for example, Mr. Hisham, I requested products from him, and these products
00:21:26are already in China, and currently, regarding customs and so on,
00:21:29and God willing, within
00:21:32these two days, God willing, we will also go to their factory and sign
00:21:36the agency contract, God willing. I thank you, all the best, thank
00:21:39you for your efforts that you
00:21:41have made. Definitely, the Chinese
00:21:44economic presence
00:21:47caused these faces that love
00:21:50the country. We are proud of you
00:21:54as economists who are Dr. Mohammed Walid Al-Bakir, member of the Investment
00:21:58and Reconstruction Committee in the Syrian People's Assembly, and Anas Al-Saeed,
00:22:01member of the Syrian-Chinese
00:23:23In fact, we welcome the President and the accompanying delegation. This is
00:23:27an affirmation of the strength and solidity of the relationship between
00:23:30Iraq and Syria, and God willing, this will be a good
00:23:34start for future and strategic projects, God
00:23:37Almighty.
00:23:42The two countries are linked by very strong historical relations. There are also economic
00:23:46ties.
00:23:55We are very happy, by God, with this
00:23:58warm reception, and we see your hearts
00:24:01welcomed us before your eyes. Geography says
00:24:05that the neighbor is closer to home, but wisdom
00:24:09says that blood is thicker. And God willing, the blood of Iraq and the blood
00:24:12of Syria are one blood, and perhaps our blood is even
00:24:15more because we are very close to each other.
00:24:19We are with you, God. One people living
00:24:22in two countries, and we want to revive our history.
00:24:25We want to restore economic cooperation, political
00:24:28cooperation. We will unite
00:24:31at the Arab or Islamic world
00:24:34level. Your security is our security, and vice
00:24:38versa. And God willing, soon
00:24:41we await your arrival to honor us in your second country,
00:24:45and you will be the hosts and we will be the guests. God
00:24:49bless you.
00:24:55It is very important that we utilize your presence today
00:24:58in your second country, Damascus, to
00:25:01begin a roadmap that, God willing, will be long and sustainable.
00:25:43I swear by Almighty God, by Almighty God, that I will be
00:25:46loyal and faithful. I will be loyal and faithful
00:25:50to the Syrian Arab Republic, to the Syrian Arab
00:25:53Republic.
00:28:04Implementation of the project to rehabilitate Granada Bridge.
00:28:23Work will begin on the Mayadeen
00:28:26Bridge.
00:28:37The technical services machinery, in cooperation with emergency
00:28:40and disaster workshops, is rehabilitating and repairing the earthen
00:28:43bridge.
00:28:46We are in the final stages of the rehabilitation of Al-Rashid Bridge.
00:30:11Heading a high-level delegation, President Ahmed
00:30:15Al-Sharaa is in the Saudi capital, Riyadh.
00:30:19This visit is the second within just
00:30:22one month, and this is something that must
00:30:26mean a lot to
00:30:29Syrians. From Damascus to Riyadh.
00:30:32History is rewriting
00:30:35the region, and the regional compass
00:30:38is fixed on the station of major
00:30:41partnership. And talking about major partnership here
00:30:45means talking about a delegation that included ministers of
00:30:47foreign affairs, defense,
00:30:50finance, industry, and the head
00:30:54of general intelligence. Some say that these are the hallmarks
00:30:56of a new phase.