Syrian Arab News Agency S A N A
Damascus, SANA – Some 20 public and private research and scientific bodies have taken part on the first day of a conference on reconstruction in Damascus.
The conference, held at Damascus University’s auditorium by the Higher Commission for Scientific Research, aims primarily at exchanging ideas and expertise among researchers and discussing the contribution of private and public institutions in the reconstruction project.
Scientific and technological proposals that could be in service of the entire reconstruction process are sought as an outcome of the conference.
Prime Minister Wael al-Halqi said reconstruction is one of the most key issues at this critical point of time the country is going through and “demands societal agreement and consolidation of security and stability.”
He stressed that an integrated methodology is needed to be set up for the process of reconstruction in which scientific research institutions and bodies could be “an active partner.”
In his review of the procedures taken by the government in preparation for the reconstruction process, al-Halqi indicated the allocation by the Central Reconstruction Committee of SYP 81.5 billion of the state’s budget to the implementation of the process over three years.
Setting priorities, the Premier said the geographical areas to which army restored security and stability after expelling terrorists and which are rendered ready for accommodation will be the first to start with.
He cited Kafrsouseh and Basatin al-Razi in the city of Damascus and Baba Amr neighborhood in the city of Homs as such areas considered ready.
Chief among the issues and topics to be discussed during the two-day conference, are the national policies, legislative, administrative and financial environment, infrastructure and economic and human resources development.
Other issues related to the sectors of transport, health, energy and informatics will also be on the table, in addition to benefiting from
leading international experiences.
Haifa Said
