Syria needs at least $1 trillion to rebuild: Minister
'We need at least $1 trillion to reconstruct and rebuild a new Syria,' Mohammad Nidal al-Shaar said.
His comments came on the sidelines of the Arab Media Summit in Dubai on Wednesday, according to reports from the UAE's official press agency (WAM).
The minister said he anticipates a resurgence of diplomatic ties and investor confidence as Europe and the US lift sanctions on Syria, leading to a resurgence of diplomatic ties and investor confidence.
'Very soon, you will see foreign embassies opening again in Syria,' he said. 'We are now able to talk about the new Syria and to build new partnerships.'
Al-Shaar also said his country expects the return of Syrian funds held abroad. However, he cautioned that much of Syria's foreign-held assets were retrieved by the previous regime, leaving only a small portion.
He said: 'Right now, for us, any amount is important, whether it is $20 million or $100 million.'
A critical threshold
Al-Shaar highlighted Syria's fragile new position after the ouster of its former ruler Bashar al-Assad, saying that his country has reached a critical threshold and cannot afford more instability.
'Our people can no longer bear any chaos. We have reached a threshold whereby it is not possible to go back to chaos again,' he said.
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