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Saudi Fund to Speed Syria Recovery with Up to $1.5 Bln Financing

Delegation from the Saudi Fund for Development meets Syrian Finance Minister Mohammed Yisr Barnieh (Syrian Finance Ministry)
Delegation from the Saudi Fund for Development meets Syrian Finance Minister Mohammed Yisr Barnieh (Syrian Finance Ministry)
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Saudi Fund to Speed Syria Recovery with Up to $1.5 Bln Financing

Delegation from the Saudi Fund for Development meets Syrian Finance Minister Mohammed Yisr Barnieh (Syrian Finance Ministry)
Delegation from the Saudi Fund for Development meets Syrian Finance Minister Mohammed Yisr Barnieh (Syrian Finance Ministry)

A delegation from the Saudi Fund for Development, headed by its chief executive Sultan bin Abdulrahman Al-Marshad, discussed proposed priority projects in Syria’s electricity and water sectors with Syrian Energy Minister Mohammed al-Bashir and other ministry officials.

Four projects worth $250 million were presented, part of a broader list of projects across various sectors to be financed by the fund in phases, with total funding potentially reaching $1.5 billion.

Al-Marshad told Asharq Al-Awsat that development agreements to finance priority projects in vital sectors would be signed with the Syrian government “soon.”

The talks are part of a three-day visit to Syria that began on Tuesday, during which the delegation is holding meetings with several ministers and heads of public bodies to discuss priority development projects and the fund’s contribution to economic and social development in Syria, as well as support for stability.

The delegation began its meetings on Wednesday with a visit to the headquarters of the Energy Ministry in Damascus. According to a ministry statement, discussions focused on priority projects proposed in the electricity and water sectors, as part of coordination to identify areas that could be supported in the next phase.

The delegation later held an expanded meeting with Energy Ministry aides, including Ibrahim al-Adhan, for planning and institutional excellence, and with Osama Abu Zeid for water resources, attended by officials from the electricity, water, and sanitation sectors.

During the meeting, a package of service and development projects was reviewed to determine the ministry’s priorities ahead of moving to subsequent coordination and implementation stages.

The proposed projects include maintenance of the Aleppo thermal power plant to restore it to full production capacity, the supply and installation of prepaid smart water meters for institutions across all provinces, a project to convey Euphrates water from Deir el-Zor in eastern Syria to the Tadmor and Hasiya areas in Homs province, and an irrigation project for the plains of al-Bab and Tadef in northern Aleppo countryside, aimed at improving water resources and supporting the agricultural sector.

The ministry stated that the visit is part of efforts to define its requirements, noting that a subsequent meeting will be held with the Ministry of Finance to finalize coordination and select the priority projects to be supported.

In a separate statement to Asharq Al-Awsat, Al-Marshad said the visit aims to explore opportunities for development cooperation between the Saudi Fund for Development and Syria across various sectors. He said discussions are focused on financing priority projects and supporting economic and social development in Syria.

Al-Marshad said development agreements with the Syrian government to finance priority projects in vital sectors would be signed in the near future.

For his part, Energy Ministry aide for water resources Osama Abu Zeid told Asharq Al-Awsat that the proposed projects are “important and urgent to achieve early recovery and improve services for the Syrian people.”

He stated that the rehabilitation of the al-Bab and Tadef irrigation project would irrigate more than 6,600 hectares, while rehabilitating the Aleppo thermal power plant would increase electricity generation capacity by up to 600 kilowatts.

He said the rehabilitation of water stations in villages and towns destroyed during the war includes restoring 157 stations, while the supply of prepaid smart water meters would help rationalize consumption and improve water services.

Abu Zeid stated that the total value of the projects amounts to $250 million, noting that there has been positive engagement from the Saudi Fund for Development, and that funding is expected to be approved soon after the administrative procedures are completed.

The Saudi Fund for Development delegation, led by Al-Marshad, also met Syrian Finance Minister Mohammed Yisr Barnieh on Tuesday to discuss the provision of concessional financing with a high grant component to support government projects in vital sectors.

In a post on LinkedIn, Barnieh expressed hope that an agreement would be reached by the end of the visit on a list of projects to be financed in phases, with a total value potentially reaching $1.5 billion.

According to Barnieh, the projects primarily focus on the health and education sectors through the rehabilitation and equipping of hospitals and schools, as well as projects in the energy and water sectors, including electricity substations and water treatment facilities, alongside housing, disaster management, and telecommunications projects.

The projects also include financing support for a large number of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises, helping to create productive job opportunities in several development areas.

Barnieh said he presented an initial overview outlining needs and proposed projects, prepared in cooperation with several ministries, governorates, authorities, and institutions, within the framework of a workshop organized by the Finance Ministry earlier this week in support of the “Syria Without Camps” initiative.

The Saudi Fund for Development delegation also met with Health Minister Musaab al-Ali to discuss financing and support for vital health projects within the ministry’s 2026-2028 plan, as well as with Education Minister Mohammed Abdulrahman Turko to discuss enhancing cooperation in education and improving the educational process in Syria.

The fund stated on Tuesday that the visit highlights the importance of development cooperation between the two sides in supporting the sustainable development goals and development initiatives in Syria.

Since its establishment in 1974, the fund has contributed to development projects in over 100 developing countries, financing more than 800 projects and programs worth over $22 billion.

Saudi Arabia has continued to provide extensive support to Syria across multiple sectors following the ouster of former president Bashar al-Assad on Dec. 8, 2024.

Mohammed Hamza, head of the Syrian General Authority for Exhibitions and International Markets, said during his participation as guest of honor at the “Made in Saudi Arabia” exhibition held from Dec. 15 to 17 that Saudi investments in Syria exceeded $6.6 billion in 2025 across various sectors.

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Business

Saudi Arabia Boosts Firms’ Readiness for Supply Chain Challenges

Container ship at King Abdullah Port (SPA)
Container ship at King Abdullah Port (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia Boosts Firms’ Readiness for Supply Chain Challenges

Container ship at King Abdullah Port (SPA)
Container ship at King Abdullah Port (SPA)

Amid mounting geopolitical tensions threatening global supply chains, particularly disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, Saudi Arabia is stepping up efforts to shield its economy by strengthening private sector readiness to withstand external shocks.

Asharq Al-Awsat has learned that the Federation of Saudi Chambers is moving to boost companies’ preparedness, unify procedures, and keep business flowing smoothly amid rising logistical risks.

The push underscores authorities’ focus on safeguarding the domestic market by helping businesses adapt quickly and strengthen operational resilience, supporting economic stability and sustained growth.

Future decisions

As part of efforts to bolster supply chain resilience, the Federation of Saudi Chambers is mapping challenges facing companies and national institutions, aiming to present the sector’s voice directly, build a clear picture of on-the-ground obstacles, and help shape future decisions.

It is tracking operational and logistical hurdles and turning them into inputs for relevant authorities to improve regulations and support market-based decision-making.

Improving the regulatory environment

The federation has asked companies to pinpoint challenges across ports, airports, logistics hubs, and warehouses, as well as those tied to regulators.

It urged firms to specify issues such as clearance or transit delays, procedural disruptions, added costs, lack of information, conflicting instructions, and regulatory requirements, along with their impact, whether financial or operational, including delivery delays, lost clients, suspended contracts, damaged cargo, and supply chain breakdowns.

The findings are expected to feed into regulatory improvements and more informed policymaking.

Alternative routes

Saudi Arabia has rolled out proactive logistics measures to reduce reliance on the Strait of Hormuz, including new corridors linking Gulf ports through alternative land and sea routes, Red Sea options, and additional shipping services to expand port capacity.

The Transport General Authority said licensed operators will be allowed to carry goods for third parties until Sept. 25, aiming to boost fleet efficiency and flexibility.

The authority said the step will help companies make better use of capacity, support supply chain continuity, and improve cargo movement within the kingdom and to neighboring countries.

On Thursday, it also approved regulatory updates extending deadlines for land freight firms to adjust their status, aiming to raise efficiency and compliance.

The extension covers heavy and light transport activities until Aug. 27, 2026, giving companies more time to meet regulatory requirements.

It also includes cases involving the reclassification of vehicle registration from private to public use in heavy freight, in a move to better regulate the sector and improve fleet utilization.

Business

War Hits Lebanon Dollar Lifeline, Remittances Fall Sharply

Lebanon’s central bank (National News Agency)
Lebanon’s central bank (National News Agency)
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War Hits Lebanon Dollar Lifeline, Remittances Fall Sharply

Lebanon’s central bank (National News Agency)
Lebanon’s central bank (National News Agency)

A Lebanese mother described the sharp decline in one of her last sources of income, once a pillar of her financial stability, as remittances from her son abroad dwindled in the wake of the war.

“My son used to send me $600 a month. I lived on it, covered my medication and basic needs. After the war, the transfer does not exceed $200,” she told Asharq Al-Awsat.

Her account reflects a broader trend among Lebanese households, in which remittances from relatives abroad have dropped by 10% to 15% during the war. The conflict has left its mark on multiple countries, including Lebanon, driving inflation and creating obstacles to money transfers.

The financial situation was also discussed in a meeting between Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and central bank governor Karim Saeed, where current monetary and financial conditions, exchange rate stability, and precautionary measures to maintain liquidity were reviewed.

Rapid contraction and rising pressure

The issue has reached the government. Economy Minister Amer Bisat presented updated wartime estimates to the cabinet on Thursday, highlighting economic contraction and declining incomes driven by large-scale displacement, along with a notable rise in unemployment.

He cited sectoral and field studies showing deteriorating indicators, estimating the contraction at 7%-10%, coupled with slower inflows of funds into the country.

Bisat said the situation remains “relatively under control,” noting that the ministry continues to pursue cases of monopoly and fraud through dozens of reports, judicial referrals, and the seizure of non-compliant goods.

He warned that a prolonged war would heighten economic risks, describing inflation as a real challenge, while the balance of payments remains within acceptable limits.

Impact on daily life

The Lebanese mother told Asharq Al-Awsat: “I used to organize my life around the $600 my son sent me every month. I would pay for medication first, then cover household needs. Now I have to ration spending. I can no longer pay the electricity bill regularly.”

She added: “I buy smaller quantities of everything and postpone whatever I can. Sometimes I ask the pharmacy for medicine on credit. I never imagined I would reach this point.”

In the Bekaa Valley, Abu Mohammad described a similar experience: “My son used to send $400 a month, now it barely reaches $200.”

“I relied on that amount to cover rent and basic expenses. Now everything has changed. We live day to day on installments. We buy only the bare minimum and delay everything, rent, bills, even some essentials,” he said.

“Sometimes we sit together as a family to decide what we can pay this month and what to postpone. This did not exist before. Now it is part of our daily life.”

A shrinking economic backbone

Economist Walid Abou Suleiman said remittances have formed the “backbone of Lebanon’s economy since the 2019 crisis,” noting that the country relies heavily on them to secure foreign currency, as Lebanon imports about 85% of its consumer needs.

He told Asharq Al-Awsat that annual remittances are estimated at around $6 billion, including roughly $3 billion from Gulf countries, but have begun to decline, with at least a 5% drop recorded in the first month of the crisis.

“The impact of crises does not appear immediately; it builds gradually in the following months, meaning the decline is likely to worsen,” he said.

Hundreds of millions in losses

Abou Suleiman expects remittances to fall by 10% to 15%, equivalent to annual losses of between $450 million and $500 million, or about $40 million per month.

This decline is compounded by job losses among Lebanese expatriates in the Gulf, increasing domestic pressure as some return to Lebanon.

He added that the war has also affected other sources of foreign currency, particularly tourism. “Seasons that used to inject dollars into the market, such as Easter, have been absent this year,” he said, adding that rising global oil prices are worsening the crisis, as Lebanon is among the countries most affected by energy costs.

“The treasury is bearing additional burdens estimated at around 18% due to these increases,” he said.

Abou Suleiman warned that global inflation directly impacts Lebanon. “We do not only import goods, but we also import inflation with them, given the absence of local production and self-sufficiency,” he said, cautioning that the economic outlook will deteriorate further if the war continues.

Ongoing decline and uncertain outlook

Economist Professor Jassem Ajaka said remittances to Lebanon have recorded a notable decline, estimating a drop of around 5% last week, possibly rising to between 5% and 10% as conditions continue to evolve, with no precise figure due to constantly changing data.

He said the decline is logical, as Lebanese workers in the Gulf and Europe have also been affected by slowing economic conditions there.

“The crisis is no longer confined to one country or region; it is global, though its impact varies from place to place,” he said.

Ajaka stressed that remittances remain a key pillar, alongside tourism, which is largely driven by expatriates. “The tourism sector is almost entirely halted. The season can be considered lost, and even the upcoming summer season is not guaranteed. Recovery will not be quick, even if the war ends,” he said.

Tourism revenues were estimated at between $4 billion and $4.5 billion annually, making them a major source of foreign currency.

Exports are also expected to decline by around 10% due to damage to the agricultural sector in the south and Bekaa, as well as higher industrial production costs driven by rising oil prices.

Dollar inflows shrink, risks expand

Ajaka said remittances now represent the last line of resilience for many Lebanese families, but this pillar is weakening with the current decline.

He warned that the most serious consequence is a shortage of dollars in the market, raising questions about Lebanon’s ability to finance imports of fuel, food, and medicine.

A temporary solution could involve the central bank financing imports from its foreign currency reserves, he said, but this would amount to crisis management, with repercussions worsening the longer it continues.

He added that pressures are not limited to economic factors, but also include measures that restrict dollar inflows, further reducing liquidity in the market.

Business

Dollar Jumps as Trump Pledges More Iran Strikes

FILE PHOTO: US dollar banknotes are seen in this illustration taken March 24, 2026. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: US dollar banknotes are seen in this illustration taken March 24, 2026. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo
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Dollar Jumps as Trump Pledges More Iran Strikes

FILE PHOTO: US dollar banknotes are seen in this illustration taken March 24, 2026. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: US dollar banknotes are seen in this illustration taken March 24, 2026. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo

The dollar rose sharply on Thursday after US President Donald Trump's address on Iran shattered hopes for a swift end to the conflict, sending investors towards safe-haven assets as oil prices jumped and stocks tumbled.

In a televised speech, Trump vowed more aggressive strikes on Iran in the next two to three weeks, offering no concrete timeline to open the Strait of Hormuz or end a war that has rattled investors and roiled markets, Reuters reported.

Iran's military responded with a warning for the United States and Israel of "more crushing, broader and more destructive" attacks in store.

Investors were quick to sell riskier assets such as stocks and buy the US dollar, pushing the yen, euro and sterling lower.

The dollar index, which measures the greenback against a basket of currencies, climbed 0.68% to 100.24 as the safe-haven trade came back on, putting it on track for its best day since March 18.

Thursday's advance wiped out most of the greenback's declines from the past two days amid earlier optimism about de-escalating the Iran war, putting it on track for another winning week.

Stocks slid and oil prices surged, with Brent crude futures rising almost 8% to $109.10 per barrel, after Trump's address sparked fresh concerns about sustained disruption.

"Trump's comments failed to reassure markets ... markets are starting to realize that the war will probably escalate further from here before de-escalating," said Carol Kong, a currency strategist at Commonwealth Bank of Australia.

"The dollar can definitely increase further from here against all the major currencies" as markets wake up to the fact that the global economy will slow down materially, she added.

Non-dollar currencies extended their falls as oil prices climbed in European trading.

The euro fell 0.66% to $1.1513 and sterling slid 0.88% to $1.319, both giving up some recent gains.

The risk-sensitive Australian dollar, commonly seen as a barometer of global growth expectations, fell 0.95% to $0.6863.

The Japanese yen traded 0.6% weaker at 159.72 per dollar , nearing the psychologically important 160 level that is viewed as the line in the sand for intervention by Japanese authorities.

Trump's comments also sent US Treasury yields higher on growing fears that inflation from higher oil prices would close the door to rate cuts.

That sets the stage for Friday's US non-farm payrolls report. The market is looking for a 60,000 rise in jobs for March, according to the median estimate of economists polled by Reuters.

"Another miss could rattle the markets and crank the volume up on the chorus warning about stagflation," said Kyle Rodda, senior financial market analyst at Capital.com.

"The markets could be extra choppy going into the Easter long weekend."