The International Monetary Fund sent a mission to Syria this week to discuss the new government's reform priorities and technical assistance needs, the Washington-based lender said on Thursday.
“The next step would be how to pave the way for an eventual Article IV consultation,” IMF spokeswoman Julie Kozack told reporters, referring to the fund's annual economic check-ins with member countries.
The fund has not had an Article IV consultation with Syria in 15 years. In June, the IMF sent a mission to the country for the first time since the fall of Bashar Al Assad's regime.
The fund said Syria needs significant international assistance to support the new government's reconstruction and development efforts as it seeks to reintegrate itself into the global financial system.
This week's visit coincided with Syrian President Ahmad Al Shara's historic trip to Washington, where he held talks with IMF managing director Kristalina Georgieva.
Ms Kozack said discussions focused on Syria's economic challenges and opportunities, and how the IMF can support the country's economic rehabilitation.
“Our focus right now is on … policy advice that we can provide to Syria, and also, very importantly, capacity development and technical assistance aimed at rebuilding Syria's economic institutions,” Ms Kozack said.
The World Bank estimates it will cost roughly $216 billion to rebuild Syria's economy. Mr Al Shara said late last month that, so far, the country has attracted about $28 billion in foreign investment.
A significant amount of investment has come from Turkey and Gulf states,
Syria is also working with the US and IMF on a one-year compliance strategy to tackle money-laundering and terrorism-financing concerns. Those concerns, along with the Assad-era Caesar Act sanctions, remain key hurdles for Syria to attract new foreign investment.
Following Mr Al Shara's meeting with President Donald Trump at the White House on Monday, the US said was temporarily waiving the Caesar Act for 180 days with exceptions for sanctionable transactions with Russia and Iran. A permanent lifting would require congressional action.
Mr Al Shara's visit to Washington this week marked one of the most significant efforts Syria has made in its efforts to reconnect with the global economy.
And in a high-profile speech at the Future Investment Initiative summit in Riyadh last month, Mr Al Shara promised Syria would "rebuild every stone" that was destroyed during the civil war. He also held talks with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Syrian officials were also in Washington during the IMF and World Bank autumn meetings last month to garner support from the international community to unlock foreign investment – the first time a Syrian delegation attended the semi-annual gathering since the outbreak of the country's civil war.
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
The%20Iron%20Claw
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Sean%20Durkin%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Zac%20Efron%2C%20Jeremy%20Allen%20White%2C%20Harris%20Dickinson%2C%20Maura%20Tierney%2C%20Holt%20McCallany%2C%20Lily%20James%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The%20Emperor%20and%20the%20Elephant
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EAuthor%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESam%20Ottewill-Soulsby%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPublisher%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EPrinceton%20University%20Press%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPages%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E392%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EAvailable%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EJuly%2011%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Where to donate in the UAE
The Emirates Charity Portal
You can donate to several registered charities through a “donation catalogue”. The use of the donation is quite specific, such as buying a fan for a poor family in Niger for Dh130.
The General Authority of Islamic Affairs & Endowments
The site has an e-donation service accepting debit card, credit card or e-Dirham, an electronic payment tool developed by the Ministry of Finance and First Abu Dhabi Bank.
Al Noor Special Needs Centre
You can donate online or order Smiles n’ Stuff products handcrafted by Al Noor students. The centre publishes a wish list of extras needed, starting at Dh500.
Beit Al Khair Society
Beit Al Khair Society has the motto “From – and to – the UAE,” with donations going towards the neediest in the country. Its website has a list of physical donation sites, but people can also contribute money by SMS, bank transfer and through the hotline 800-22554.
Dar Al Ber Society
Dar Al Ber Society, which has charity projects in 39 countries, accept cash payments, money transfers or SMS donations. Its donation hotline is 800-79.
Dubai Cares
Dubai Cares provides several options for individuals and companies to donate, including online, through banks, at retail outlets, via phone and by purchasing Dubai Cares branded merchandise. It is currently running a campaign called Bookings 2030, which allows people to help change the future of six underprivileged children and young people.
Emirates Airline Foundation
Those who travel on Emirates have undoubtedly seen the little donation envelopes in the seat pockets. But the foundation also accepts donations online and in the form of Skywards Miles. Donated miles are used to sponsor travel for doctors, surgeons, engineers and other professionals volunteering on humanitarian missions around the world.
Emirates Red Crescent
On the Emirates Red Crescent website you can choose between 35 different purposes for your donation, such as providing food for fasters, supporting debtors and contributing to a refugee women fund. It also has a list of bank accounts for each donation type.
Gulf for Good
Gulf for Good raises funds for partner charity projects through challenges, like climbing Kilimanjaro and cycling through Thailand. This year’s projects are in partnership with Street Child Nepal, Larchfield Kids, the Foundation for African Empowerment and SOS Children's Villages. Since 2001, the organisation has raised more than $3.5 million (Dh12.8m) in support of over 50 children’s charities.
Noor Dubai Foundation
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the Noor Dubai Foundation a decade ago with the aim of eliminating all forms of preventable blindness globally. You can donate Dh50 to support mobile eye camps by texting the word “Noor” to 4565 (Etisalat) or 4849 (du).
