Damascus, (SANA) – Minister of Local Administration and Environment Hilal al-Atrash discussed on Wednesday with a delegation from the World Bank the possibility of cooperation in redeveloping and organizing the illegal housing zones in Damascus Countryside.

In a statement to SANA, al-Atrash pointed out that the government has plans and strategies for improving the situation of illegal housing zones in the governorate, and that his Ministry is preparing a regional study for Damascus and Damascus Countryside in cooperation with specialized companies.

The Minister said the World Bank expressed readiness to cooperate by providing experience and preparing plans, noting that the Bank will begin by providing aid and facilitations in cooperation with local parties.

He stressed that organizing these zones is part of the government's plan for preserving the population and sustainable development, adding that the next stage will see a number of resolutions for dealing with urgent issues and strategic decisions for rehabilitating the illegal housing zones.

For his part, First Expert of Urban Development at the World Bank in Washington Dr. Ahmad Uwayda pointed out that the delegation's visit to Syria aims at providing a strategy for developing illegal housing zones in Damascus Countryside, identifying the problems in these zones and placing plans for rehabilitating them.

He underlined the basic steps taken by the Syrian government to service these zones, adding that he noticed during his visit to several of these zones many positive points that reflect the government's care for them.

H. Sabbagh / A. N. Idelbi