Damascus, Feb. 11 (SANA) Syria’s Ministry of Communications and Information Technology signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on Wednesday with Mastercard’s Middle East and Africa division aimed at strengthening the country’s digital and financial infrastructure.
The agreement, signed in Damascus, outlines cooperation between the two sides in developing digital infrastructure, expanding financial technology capabilities and promoting innovation, according to the ministry.
Communications Minister Abdulsalam Haykal said the partnership would focus on building technical capacity, exchanging expertise and creating opportunities for citizens and entrepreneurs.
“Partner selection is based on governance and transparency, not reputation alone,” Haykal said, adding that the ministry’s strategy centers on building a modern digital economy with wider public access.
He said infrastructure development extends beyond physical assets such as cables and data centers to include regulatory frameworks and institutional practices, which he described as key to long-term transformation.
Adam Jones, executive vice president and division president for West Arabia at Mastercard, said the agreement marked a step toward integrating Syria more fully into the digital financial system.
He said cooperation between the public and private sectors would help expand access to financial services and support national development goals.
The agreement forms part of broader government efforts to advance digital transformation and modernize financial systems in line with global developments in financial technology.
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