Arab developers mull Syria reconstruction

Jordan recently hosted an international conference to 'Rebuild Syria and Countries of Conflict' (Rebuild Syria 2017) for Arab developers and contractors interested in taking part in reconstruction efforts.

The conference, held in Amman from July 31st through August 5th, was organised by the Jordanian Ministry of Public Works and Housing.

At the conclusion of the conference, participants recommended that priority be given to projects aimed at rebuilding agricultural and industrial sector infrastructure in order to accelerate economic growth.

Al-Mashareq caught up with keynote speaker Zuhair al-Omari, president of the Jordan Housing Developers Association, on the sidelines of the conference.

He pointed to the significance of the conference in terms of rebuilding Syria and helping refugees return to their country.

Al-Mashareq: Please tell us about the conference and the key decisions that emerged from it.

Al-Omari: A large number of investors from many Arab countries, including the Gulf and Iraq, attended the conference. We discussed what will be needed to reconstruct Syria, the amount of money required for it, and which sectors to focus on first.

I noted during the conference that according to World Bank estimates, the rebuilding of Syria will require $80 billion over 10 years, and the housing sector in Syria specifically will require between $23 and 28 billion.

The reconstruction projects will have to be massive, as hostilities in Syria destroyed most of the country's infrastructure, including schools, hospitals and roads, either completely or partially.

Participants stressed the need to establish an international committee in neighbouring countries to organise the parties involved in reconstruction projects in Syria, in order to develop a unified co-ordination mechanism that gives priority to neighbouring countries.

I called for the opening of channels of communication with decision-makers in the countries of conflict, to link the various projects to sustainable strategic development plans.

Al-Mashareq: What role can Jordan play in the reconstruction of Syria?

Al-Omari: Jordan can play a major role in the reconstruction of Syria as it has qualified companies and human resources with extensive experience in the field of real estate and infrastructure development.

Also, by virtue of Jordan’s proximity to Syria, it can serve as a major logistical hub for companies that will work on reconstruction in Syria, particularly in the southern regions, given Jordan’s long border with Syria.

Al-Mashareq: How would reconstruction contribute to the return of refugees?

Al-Omari: Syrian refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey and other countries will not be able to return to their country without homes to give them shelter and schools, hospitals, infrastructure such as roads, and services to enable them to gradually return to their normal lives.

Emphasis also should be placed on infrastructure projects in the areas of sanitation, water and electricity, to provide the [returning] refugees with basic living requirements, in order to create an environment that is conducive to a gradual return of economic and industrial activity.

Reconstruction of the infrastructure is essential for the resumption of operations of factories and companies, and consequently the creation of job opportunities for [returning] Syrian refugees and integrating them into the reconstruction process.

Expediting the implementation of Syria's reconstruction projects also contributes to easing the pressure on neighbouring countries such as Lebanon and Jordan, two countries that host millions of Syrian refugees.

Al-Mashareq: What key requirements would expedite Syria's reconstruction?

Al-Omari: One key requirement is the existence of Arab and Islamic partnerships to finance these mega-projects.

It also will be necessary to amend customs-related laws to facilitate the movement of equipment and to establish a bank specialised in facilitating the work of contractors to speed up the issuance of bank guarantees to contractors.

I believe that intensifying co-operation between Arab and Islamic investment funds will contribute to expediting the reconstruction process.

I want to emphasise that the support of governments is crucial to ensure the success of these projects, and above all, to restore security and peace to all parts of Syria.

The reconstruction process must be accompanied by great efforts to provide support to Syrian refugees and address the psychological impact and fallout of the war to enable them to actively contribute to the reconstruction process.

Restoring the self-confidence of Syrian refugees and their confidence in their future and enabling them to actively take part in the reconstruction process is vital to the success of all these projects, as the target of all of these projects is primarily the Syrian people.