Damascus, June 24 (SANA) Syrian Transport Minister Yarub Badr and a delegation from the United Arab Emirates discussed opportunities to expand cooperation in transport infrastructure, logistics and digital transformation during talks in Damascus on Wednesday.
The Emirati delegation was headed by Mohammed Ibrahim Al Mansoori, undersecretary for Infrastructure and Transport Affairs at the UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure.
During the meeting, the two sides stressed the importance of strengthening bilateral cooperation to support infrastructure development and reconstruction efforts in Syria.
Badr outlined the current state of Syria’s transport sector and the challenges facing modernization efforts. He also reviewed opportunities for rehabilitating the country’s railway and road networks, with a focus on major transport corridors, including the Nassib-Damascus, Damascus-Homs, Homs-Aleppo and Damascus-Palmyra-Deir Ezzor routes.
Badr said Syria is pursuing several infrastructure initiatives, including plans to establish dry ports in Damascus, Aleppo and Homs, as well as discussions with the World Bank regarding a proposed $200 million grant for emergency railway rehabilitation.
Members of the Emirati delegation expressed interest in exploring opportunities to participate in transport and logistics projects in Syria, particularly those related to cross-border trade and freight movement between Syria and Gulf countries.
The delegation proposed establishing joint working groups to examine potential projects, financing options and partnership opportunities.
The meeting was attended by UAE Ambassador to Syria Hamad Rashid bin Alwan Al Habsi, representatives of Syria’s Foreign and Expatriates Ministry and senior transport sector officials.
R.H/Abd
