Syrian Minister Promotes Economic Openness in Davos

DAVOS, Switzerland (Reuters) – Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani announced on Wednesday that Syria will open its economy to foreign investment and is looking to establish energy and electricity partnerships with Gulf states.

> “Syria’s economic resources are diverse and we have a lot of sectors – industry, tourism… of course the economy in the future will be open and will open the road for foreign investment,” he stated at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

Shibani recently visited Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar to strengthen ties. Qatar has pledged to initially provide Syria with 200 megawatts of electricity, with plans to gradually increase the supply.

During the Davos meeting, Shibani mentioned that a committee representing various groups would work on Syria’s new constitution after a national dialogue, which the leadership insists will encompass all segments of society, aiming to find a path forward after the ousting of President Bashar al-Assad by Islamist rebels.

> “We need an inclusive transition leading to a new constitution, free and fair elections, in a Syrian-led and Syrian-owned political process that will restore Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” stated UN Syria envoy Geir Pedersen at a separate press conference in Damascus on Wednesday.

Both Pedersen and Shibani reiterated calls for the lifting of international sanctions imposed on Syria.