Syrian, Swiss officials review economic challenges and reconstruction cooperation

Syrian and Swiss officials held discussions on January 20 aimed at broadening bilateral economic cooperation and supporting Syria’s ongoing economic recovery efforts.

According to Syrian media, the talks took place in Damascus at the Ministry of Economy and Industry, where Ayman Hamwiya, head of the General Department of Economics at the ministry, met with a Swiss delegation led by Vincent Pasquier, the deputy head of the Swiss Embassy mission accredited to Lebanon and Syria.

During the meeting, the two sides reviewed Syria’s current economic conditions and the key challenges confronting the recovery process. They also examined potential areas of cooperation related to reconstruction support, capacity-building initiatives, and the exchange of expertise, with a particular focus on projects intended to enhance stability and promote sustainable development.

Hamwiya stressed the importance of international partnerships in driving economic growth and facilitating recovery. Pasquier, in turn, conveyed Switzerland’s interest in expanding engagement with Syria and in supporting efforts to improve the country’s economic and business environment.

The report also noted that earlier, on January 14, Syria’s Minister of Economy and Industry, Nidal al-Shaar, held separate talks with Marion Weichelt, head of the Swiss mission in Damascus. That meeting similarly focused on prospects for strengthening economic relations and expanding cooperation in areas of mutual interest.

By Tamilla Hasanova