Syrian ministers and the Central Bank Governor are scheduled to participate in the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank’s spring meetings in Washington next week, according to sources.
They aim to discuss strategies for rebuilding Syria’s economy after years of conflict.
Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani, Finance Minister Mohammed Barnieh, and Central Bank Governor Abdul Qadir al-Hasriya will attend the meetings, focusing on post-war reconstruction and economic recovery. The Syrian delegation will also include Economy Minister Mohammed al-Shaar.
Following the ousting of Bashar al-Assad, Syria’s new government is attempting to re-establish connections with international organizations to aid in the country’s rebuilding and economic revitalisation. They are also advocating for the removal of sanctions imposed during Assad’s rule.
The World Bank halted its operations in Syria at the onset of the civil war. A UN report estimated Syria’s lost GDP from 2011 to 2024 at $800 billion, with a significant majority of the population struggling to afford necessities.
In Damascus, Finance Minister Barnieh met with a World Bank delegation to discuss modernising Syria’s banking sector.
He emphasised Syria’s desire to strengthen economic ties with the World Bank and highlighted the detrimental impact of Western sanctions on the country’s financial system.
