Afghanistan says ADB vows continued cooperation after Kabul meeting
Afghanistan’s foreign ministry says the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has pledged continued cooperation after...
Syria officially announced the launch of its first-ever investment forum with Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, marking a milestone in bilateral relations and Syria’s efforts to revitalize its economy under the new transitional government.
According to Syrian Information Minister Hamzah al-Mustafa, the event is expected to result in 44 agreements worth nearly $6 billion, covering key sectors such as banking, construction, cybersecurity, energy, and artificial intelligence.
The deals are projected to create up to 50,000 job opportunities and will include both public and private sector participation.
“This Syrian-Saudi economic forum is the first of its kind, and we hope it becomes an annual event,” said Mustafa, emphasizing the forum’s long-term potential for development-focused investment.
The forum, scheduled to officially begin on Thursday, was confirmed by Saudi Investment Minister Khalid bin Abdulaziz Al-Falih via a post on X.
The Saudi delegation, which arrived in Damascus early Wednesday, includes more than 130 business leaders and investors, underscoring Riyadh's serious commitment to restoring and strengthening bilateral ties.
“We must respectfully acknowledge the role Saudi Arabia plays toward Syria,” Mustafa said. “We are working on updating our legislative infrastructure to attract and encourage foreign investment. In the next phase, we will focus on drawing in investments aimed at development, not just profit.”
The agreements are set to span all 14 Syrian provinces, demonstrating an inclusive and nationwide approach to economic recovery. The sectors targeted reflect Syria’s aim to modernize its economy with an emphasis on innovation and technology.
The launch of the forum follows a series of high-level visits and growing cooperation between the two countries.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he has given an instruction for Israel to begin peace talks with Lebanon that would also include the disarming of Hezbollah.
Afghanistan and Pakistan have agreed to continue dialogue and avoid steps that could worsen tensions after China-hosted talks in Urumqi, with Kabul and Beijing saying the meetings focused on easing differences and improving relations.
Amid fragile calm, António Guterres urged constructive U.S.- Iran talks, while Pope Leo XIV warned violence is spreading. Lebanon's President said an Israeli strike killed 13 security personnel in Nabatieh.
Memorial events were held in Tehran’s main squares on Wednesday (8 April) to mark the 40th day since the killing of former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who died during U.S.-Israeli attacks on 28 February.
North Korea has tested a new cluster-bomb warhead mounted on a tactical ballistic missile, alongside advanced electromagnetic and infrastructure-targeting weapons, in a significant escalation of its military capabilities.
Afghanistan’s foreign ministry says the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has pledged continued cooperation after talks in Kabul on aid coordination, bilateral ties and job creation.
Uzbekistan is advancing plans to reduce the state’s role in the economy while introducing a VAT refund system for foreign visitors, as part of broader efforts to attract investment and boost tourism.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, the president of Kazakhstan, said on Friday (10 April) that a parliamentary election in the Central Asian country would take place in August but stopped short of naming an exact date.
Lebanon is sliding deeper into a food security crisis as ongoing regional conflict disrupts supply routes and drives up the cost of basic goods, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has warned.
Thousands of Palestinians returned to pray at Al-Aqsa Mosque in East Jerusalem after Israel lifted a 40-day ban that had left one of Islam’s holiest sites largely closed.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment