Finance Ministry Seeks to Enhance Debt Assessment with World Bank
The Syrian Ministry of Finance has hosted a two-day specialized workshop in collaboration with experts from the World Bank. The initiative aims to discuss and advance mechanisms for evaluating the sustainability of public debt as part of the ministry’s ongoing efforts to improve public financial management tools and the accuracy of economic projections.
This event marks the second workshop of its kind in this context. Minister of Finance Mohammad Yasser Bernie and a World Bank delegation reviewed the general framework for debt sustainability assessment. The discussions focused on practical aspects, including financial data analysis, the review of debt-related figures, and the examination of underlying macroeconomic assumptions and future forecasts. These efforts are designed to identify existing gaps and establish a more precise and realistic preliminary assessment of Syria’s public debt position.
The workshop also addressed the risks associated with both public and external debt, as well as methods for verifying the accuracy of economic indicators. Participants emphasized the importance of expanding the database to include all relevant institutions, ensuring that future assessments are both comprehensive and accurate. Minister Bernie noted the significance of assessing debt sustainability in the current environment, highlighting the necessity of considering sovereign guarantees and associated risks, given their vital role in supporting the investment sector and mitigating potential hazards.
Minister Bernie underscored the importance of leveraging the outcomes of this workshop to support financial decision-making and build advanced, reliable assessment tools. This initiative complements the ministry’s broader actions to enhance the economic environment. The minister recently held discussions with a delegation from the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA), a member of the World Bank Group, regarding ways to provide investment risk guarantees in Syria. This move is intended to bolster confidence in the business environment and attract capital to support the country’s economic development objectives.
Source: Syria Focus Arabic
