Finance Minister Muhammad Yasar Barhni and Central Bank of Syria Governor Muhammad Safwat Ruslan held talks in Bangkok, Thailand, with Hammam bin Nasser bin Jarid, CEO of the Arab Gulf Programme for Development (AGFUND), to explore ways to enhance cooperation in financing small and medium-sized enterprises and supporting recovery and development projects in Syria.
The Ministry of Finance indicated that the discussions covered expanding the network of the Iqraa Microfinance Bank and strengthening the program's role in financing farmers and owners of small, micro, and medium-sized agricultural projects, in cooperation with the Agricultural Bank. The two sides also discussed the possibility of contributing to school rehabilitation and implementing integrated development projects that support the return of displaced persons from camps.
For his part, program representatives expressed their readiness to review proposed projects from the Syrian side covering health, education, water, agriculture, and sanitation sectors, within priority areas designated by the Syrian government. The talks also addressed poverty alleviation strategies and improving livelihoods, as well as the possibility of the program contributing to implementing or financing certain activities in cooperation with the Syrian government or its partners.
These talks come within the framework of meetings attended by the Syrian delegation at the annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. The Arab Gulf Programme for Development focuses on supporting sustainable human development, with an emphasis on the most vulnerable categories, through initiatives aimed at reducing poverty, enhancing financial inclusion, and financing small projects.
He added that the Iqraa Microfinance Bank in Syria is one of the initiatives linked to the program's efforts in microfinance, aimed at expanding access to financial services and supporting income-generating activities, in line with the "Syria Without Camps" vision and the need to create appropriate conditions for the return of displaced persons and enhance their participation in development efforts.
Source: Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA)
Comments (0)