Damascus International Fair Hosts Forum on Long-Term Economic Financing
The Syrian Ministry of Finance held a dialogue workshop titled “Long-Term Financing in Syria: Needs and Requirements” as part of the 63rd Damascus International Fair. The session, hosted at the Ministry’s pavilion, focused on developing long-term financing systems and strengthening the Syrian economy’s capacity to attract development-focused investments.
The session was chaired by the Minister of Finance and attended by a delegation of officials and economic experts. Participants included the CEO of the Damascus Securities Exchange (DSE), a member of the DSE board, the Director-General of the Insurance Supervisory Commission, and various representatives from the banking and financial sectors. Notable attendees also included a partner from the consulting firm Oliver Wyman, a board member of Qatar National Bank-Syria, and the CEO of ACWA Power.
During the workshop, speakers emphasized the urgent need for effective strategies to address existing challenges within the national financial infrastructure. Participants highlighted that long-term financing is a fundamental pillar for any significant economic recovery. The Minister of Finance underscored the necessity of revising core economic and financial foundations, particularly the mechanisms governing the state’s general budget, to ensure greater flexibility and effectiveness in meeting development requirements.
The discussion also addressed methods for empowering institutional and international investors. Proposals included building strategic partnerships with global financial institutions to secure technical support and expertise necessary for executing specialized economic projects. Furthermore, the attendees explored the development of Syrian financial markets, stressing the importance of introducing new debt instruments, activating investment-focused sukuk, and strengthening sovereign guarantees to provide greater stability for investors.
The workshop concluded with a consensus on the need to solidify investment governance standards and expand the advisory frameworks surrounding national projects. These measures are intended to address current financial obstacles and better leverage opportunities within the Syrian market to attract both domestic and foreign capital.
This event is part of the ongoing 63rd Damascus International Fair, which is scheduled to run until September 4. The fair has seen broad participation from major local, regional, and international companies and has attracted a significant number of visitors. The exhibition’s agenda includes a series of seminars and workshops dedicated to discussing critical issues regarding the country’s economy, development, and infrastructure.
