Illustrative file photo of China’s flag at the Museum of Flight in Seattle, United States, Dec. 18, 2024. It does not depict the Damascus business forum. Photo: Roc0ast3r/Wikimedia Commons, CC0 1.0. Photo source · License.

A two-day Syrian-Chinese economic forum opened in Damascus on Tuesday with representatives of 16 Chinese companies, as officials sought investment partnerships in reconstruction and industrial production, state news agency SANA reported.

The event at the Four Seasons Hotel brings together businesses working in construction, engineering, building materials, manufacturing and investment.

Economy Minister Nidal al-Shaar said Syria wanted to expand cooperation beyond trade to joint ventures, with the private sector driving economic activity and the government providing a competitive regulatory environment.

The program includes meetings with the Syrian Investment Authority, the sovereign wealth fund, customs officials and the Ministry of Public Works and Housing.

Visits are also planned to potential development and industrial projects in Homs, Hama and Aleppo. The report did not announce signed investment agreements.

Source: SANA