Syria and Saudi Arabia Discuss Agricultural Investment and Cooperation

Syrian Minister of Agriculture, Bassal Swidan, met with the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Syria, Ghazi Al-Anzi, in Damascus on Monday to explore bilateral cooperation in the agricultural sector. The discussions were held as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen coordination between the two nations.

The talks focused on identifying pathways to support joint agricultural investments and projects, aimed at meeting the strategic goals of both countries regarding food security and the development of the agricultural sector. Minister Swidan emphasized that there is continuous communication with the Saudi side to build a collaborative cooperation strategy. He noted that these current meetings are paving the way for further coordination with relevant Saudi entities, including the Saudi Development Fund, to evaluate the potential for financing and implementing a range of vital agricultural projects.

Minister Swidan also addressed the importance of cooperation in the field of agricultural inputs. He highlighted a memorandum of understanding regarding the technical harmonization of pesticides and fertilizers registered and approved in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, noting the expected positive impact this will have on the quality and productivity of the Syrian agricultural sector.

For his part, Saudi Ambassador Ghazi Al-Anzi underscored the close link between agricultural investment and the daily lives of citizens. He affirmed the central role the agricultural sector plays in bolstering food security and supporting economic development paths in Syria. The Ambassador expressed the Kingdom’s full readiness to cooperate with Damascus across various areas of the agricultural sector, pointing to promising opportunities for exchanging expertise and leveraging the capabilities available to both parties to achieve an effective partnership.

These discussions represent a continuation of the diplomatic and technical coordination path between the two countries. Minister Swidan previously met with the Saudi Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture, Abdulrahman bin Abdulmohsen Al-Fadley, last June on the sidelines of the ‘Saudi Water Week’ in Jeddah to discuss cooperation in the agriculture and water sectors.

Source: Syria Focus Arabic