Damascus, SANA – Industry Minister Ahmad al-Hamo discussed on Sunday with a delegation from the Chinese-Arab Friendship Association (CAFA) the investment opportunities available in the industrial sector for the Chinese companies wishing to work and invest in Syria and participate in the rehabilitation of companies and industrial establishments that were destroyed as a result of terrorist attacks.

The Minister briefed the delegation on the fields which Chinese companies can invest in, including cement, glass, sandstone, basalt, photovoltaic cells, renewable energy industries, and the investment of raw materials available in Syria, in addition to food and pharmaceutical industries.

Al-Hamo welcomed the participation of Chinese companies in the process of upgrading the industrial sector in Syria, pointing out to the legislative framework regulating the investment process and guaranteeing the rights of investors, in addition to the facilitations and exemptions provided by the Syrian government according to the specificity of each project and the existence of safe places in many areas where successful projects can be established.

For their part, members of the delegation affirmed that Chinese companies are interested in starting new investments and are keen to contribute to the process of developing the industrial sector in Syria, adding that the Association has close relations with 200 major Chinese companies which carry out their projects at a high level.

They revealed that the Association plans to set up a Syrian-Chinese investment conference in Beijing during the coming period, adding that the main objective of this visit is to convey the true image to the Chinese companies about the investment opportunities available in Syria and provide lists of projects, investment guarantees, policies of support, financial facilitations, and other incentives to attract Chinese companies to work in Syria and help in the reconstruction phase in all fields.

Later, the Chairman of Planning and International Cooperation Authority, Dr. Imad Sabouni met the Chinese delegation and discussed with its members means to develop a mechanism of investment and economic cooperation with Chinese companies which desire to work in Syria in addition to participate in the rehabilitation of infrastructure, bridges and companies that been destroyed due to terrorism.

In the same context, the delegation met the Assistant Minister of Electricity Nidal Karmosha and discussed with him the means of cooperation between Syria and China and the participation of Chinese companies in the reconstruction projects of electricity sector in Syria and the preparation of studies on investment opportunities in this sector

Manar al-Freih / Hazem Sabbagh