Finance Minister Mohamed Yisr Barnieh met with a high-level World Bank delegation headed by Ousmane Dione, the Bank’s Vice President for the Middle East and North Africa, to discuss ways of strengthening the Bank’s support for Syria and broadening the scope of cooperation.
The meetings, held at the Ministry of Finance headquarters in Damascus, covered a series of key files and program areas in which the Bank may provide assistance. Discussions focused on identifying priority sectors for support, financing mechanisms and the provision of technical assistance in a framework of transparency and clarity.
The talks were attended by Jean-Christophe Carret, Director for the Middle East Department at the World Bank. Participants reviewed the outcomes of the Bank’s internal discussions during and after the recent annual meetings and their implications for future operations in Syria. They also followed up on developments in ongoing projects related to electricity and public financial management.
Both sides examined the possibility of initiating new projects, particularly in the electricity sector, in addition to ways of expanding technical assistance in public finance and debt-management fields.
The visit is scheduled to conclude with the preparation of a joint comprehensive strategic paper that is expected to be issued by the end of the year. The document will outline the framework for future cooperation and proposed support programs, reflecting the World Bank’s stated commitment to accompany Syria’s development and reconstruction efforts.
This visit underscores the Bank’s interest in maintaining channels of cooperation with the Syrian Arab Republic and advancing joint work that contributes to strengthening the economy and improving living conditions for the Syrian people.
