AlKhorayef to Asharq Al-Awsat: Incentives Offered to Empower Military Industries Investors

Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar AlKhorayef during his tour of the World Defense Show. (X)
Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar AlKhorayef during his tour of the World Defense Show. (X)
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AlKhorayef to Asharq Al-Awsat: Incentives Offered to Empower Military Industries Investors

Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar AlKhorayef during his tour of the World Defense Show. (X)
Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar AlKhorayef during his tour of the World Defense Show. (X)

Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar AlKhorayef shared with Asharq Al-Awsat that there are direct incentives for investors in the country’s military industries.

These incentives cover loans, industrial purposes, local content in national products, pre-purchase contracts, and other support tools.

AlKhorayef emphasized the ministry’s collaboration with various entities and the General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI) to support the Kingdom’s growing military sector.

He revealed efforts to build a strong industrial base, focusing on key industries like iron, aluminum, advanced technologies, electronics, and advanced chemicals such as plastics.

The minister highlighted the joint efforts with the military system, creating opportunities for industries that serve both sectors. He confirmed the availability of specific incentives for military industries based on Saudi Arabia’s needs.

AlKhorayef also pointed out that the industrial system provides various incentives to empower investors, including financial support and other facilitative components.



Syria’s President Appoints Former EY Partner as Central Bank Governor 

Shoppers walk browsing for items along the alley of Damascus' Hamidiya covered market on March 29, 2025 as Muslims prepare ahead of the holiday of Eid al-Fitr marking the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan. (AFP)
Shoppers walk browsing for items along the alley of Damascus' Hamidiya covered market on March 29, 2025 as Muslims prepare ahead of the holiday of Eid al-Fitr marking the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan. (AFP)
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Syria’s President Appoints Former EY Partner as Central Bank Governor 

Shoppers walk browsing for items along the alley of Damascus' Hamidiya covered market on March 29, 2025 as Muslims prepare ahead of the holiday of Eid al-Fitr marking the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan. (AFP)
Shoppers walk browsing for items along the alley of Damascus' Hamidiya covered market on March 29, 2025 as Muslims prepare ahead of the holiday of Eid al-Fitr marking the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan. (AFP)

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa appointed Abdelkader Husrieh as the country's new central bank governor, according to a statement by the president's office, weeks after his predecessor tendered her resignation to allow for a new appointee.

Husrieh, who was previously a partner with international accounting firm EY in Syria, was sworn in by Sharaa.

Husrieh's appointment comes few weeks after Syrian central bank governor Maysaa Sabreen tendered her resignation less than three months after she was appointed to the post in a caretaker role.

Sabreen told Reuters at the time that she resigned because the country's new rulers would appoint a new governor after the formation of a new government, which was announced in late March.

She had pledged during her short-lived tenure to boost the bank's independence after years of corrupt state control.

Economists view central bank independence as critical to achieving long-term macroeconomic and financial sector stability.

While the Central Bank of Syria has always been, on paper, an independent institution, but under Bashar-al-Assad, whose regime was toppled in a lighting offensive in December, the bank's policy was de facto determined by the government.