Qatar announces second phase of electricity boost to Syria
This initiative comes as part of the collaboration between the Qatar Fund for Development and the Syrian Ministry of Energy.
The second phase will begin on August 2, 2025, and will last for a full year, providing electricity supplies routed through Azerbaijan and Turkiye to the Syrian Arab Republic.
The supplies will be received starting at the Aleppo power station and will be distributed across various cities and neighborhoods in Syria.
This support will help increase electricity supply to 5 hours per day, representing a 40 percent daily improvement for more than 5 million subscribers in Syria. It will also enhance energy sustainability in commercial areas, factories, and Utilities.
It is worth noting that the first phase of the project, implemented with a capacity of 400 megawatts, significantly contributed to stabilizing the power grid, supporting the industrial sector, and increasing operating hours in vital areas from 16 to 24 hours per day.
The initiative comes as part of an agreement signed by the Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) with the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources of Jordan, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme to provide operational support if and when needed.
The first phase was aimed at distributing electricity to several Syrian cities, including Damascus, Rif Dimashq, As Suwayda, Daraa, Al Qunaitra, Homs, Hama, Tartus, Latakia, Aleppo, and Deir ez-Zur, contributing to the improvement of basic services and enhancing the stability of affected communities.
Thus, the total contributions of Qatar Fund for Development to the electricity sector in the Syrian Arab Republic have reached over $760 million.
This initiative reflects the State of Qatar's steadfast commitment and continuous support to the brotherly Syrian people in humanitarian and relief fields, contributing to recovery and reconstruction efforts, and ensuring the provision of essential services to achieve a more stable and prosperous future for all.
© Dar Al Sharq Press, Printing and Distribution. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Zawya
3 hours ago
- Zawya
Tunis and Rome: A partnership of opportunity in trade, energy and skills
Tunis - A few days after the visit of the Italian Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, to Tunisia, statements were issued regarding economic cooperation between the two countries for the first five months of the current year. These statements highlighted the existence of trade cooperation that benefits Tunisia. However, observers believe that, alongside this cooperation, both countries possessed negotiating power that enabled the discussion of many important issues, foremost among them irregular migration and the utilisation of energy surpluses. Not far from these relations heading toward development, through exchanges of visits at the highest levels, circles of finance and business, such as the Confederation of Tunisian Citizen Enterprises CONECT, believe that there is an opportunity to plan in order to benefit from the climate of understanding with the Italian side to push forward the wheel of investment, whether by attracting joint investments or exploring new prospects for multilateral cooperation. Trade and investment: fuel for traditional cooperation Trade between Tunisia and Italy in 2025 witnessed a notable improvement, with total exchanges reaching 10,452.3 million dinars. Tunisia's exports to Italy during the first half of this year amounted to 5,575.6 million dinars compared to imports of 4,876.8 million dinars. These figures made, according to Anis Basti, head of the Export Promotion Centre office in Milan (Italy), the Tunisian Italian trade balance positive in favour of Tunisia, as the coverage rate of exports over imports during the first five months of this year reached 115%. However, Tunisia's imports from Italy are not final or luxury products but essential raw materials, particularly for the industrial and agricultural sectors. These include petroleum products, fabrics, leather, and agricultural machinery, according to the representative of the Export House in Milan. Tunisia supplies the Italian market with mechanical and electrical industries (electric car cables, medical devices, electricity meters, and electrical equipment), accounting for 36.5%. Tunisian textiles reach the Italian market at a rate of 21.22%, in addition to a list of other diverse industries such as plastic products, hydrocarbons, medical machines, inorganic chemicals, glass and its products, furniture, and ceramics—at a rate of 19.1%. Italy, the land of fashion, continues to import leather and footwear from Tunisia at a rate of 11.3%, as well as food industries. Despite ranking among the top producers of olive oil, Italy imports significant quantities of olive oil, fish, shellfish, dates, dried tomatoes, and fresh vegetables from Tunisia at a rate of 11.7%. These important figures prompt the Export Promotion Centre in Milan to make greater efforts to develop trade exchanges between Tunisia and Italy and strengthen the presence of various Tunisian products in this market, according to Basti. The representatives work on identifying export opportunities available for Tunisian exporters and providing support, guidance, and proper coaching for exporting companies. This is done by supplying market-specific information about the Italian market, the materials it imports, organizing exploratory visits, participating in specialised exhibitions and trade fairs, and conducting evaluations and follow-ups based on market changes to keep economic actors informed and adaptable. According to Basti, the Italian authorities attach great importance to Tunisia at all levels, especially economically, by strengthening the economic partnership with Tunisia in particular and African countries in general, especially in the fields of energy, startups, artificial intelligence, and agriculture. Tunisian-Italian relations have developed into a strategic partnership, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia–Ukraine war, as Italy has started focusing more on Euro-Mediterranean partners rather than Asian ones. Basti sees the partnership between Tunisia and Italy as part of a sustainable cooperation dynamic that has been established over decades to support social and economic development in Tunisia. The private sector: All roads lead to Rome The Confederation of Tunisian Citizen Enterprises, CONECT, which represents a wide range of investors and businesspeople in Tunisia, considers, through its member Bilal Ben Hamida, that Italy remains a strategic partner for Tunisia. Businessmen affiliated with the confederation give great importance to the Italian market, both in terms of ongoing cooperation based on goods exchange and investment involving funding joint or multilateral projects, according to the CONECT representative. In its efforts to focus on the Italian market, CONECT is organising a mission of business owners to Italy to participate in the international fair in Rimini next October. As part of the Tunisia–Italy cooperation agenda, CONECT International is also planning to organise an investment forum in Tunisia in partnership with the Italian employers' organisation. The CONECT representative emphasised the importance of the Italian governmental visits to Tunisia, which reflect Italy's interest, noting that Italy is Tunisia's main supplier and second-largest exporter. The volume of bilateral trade between the two countries amounts to about €7.1 billion, according to data from the Italian Embassy in Tunis. Italy is also the second-largest foreign investor in Tunisia, with its investments accounting for 16% of foreign capital in the local market. Tunisia hosts around 1,000 Italian companies operating in various sectors, employing around 83,000 people. The national business environment and investment opportunities available for Italian investors have contributed to reinforcing this cooperation amid Tunisia's growing interest in attracting more Italian investment. Vocational training: A legal transit visa In an effort to curb irregular migration, the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) and the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation signed, on June 21, 2025, a financing agreement worth €6.5 million to launch the 'Professional Tunisia – Promoting Employment in Tunisia through Dynamic Vocational Training' project. The project aims to strengthen youth employability in Tunisia, a recurring topic in negotiations between Tunisian and Italian officials, in an attempt to regulate labour migration legally and establish an effective approach to skilled migration. Funded entirely by the Italian government and running over three years, the project seeks to enhance the employability of Tunisian youth by modernising and revitalising the national vocational training system. It will focus on improving the quality of vocational training, making it more accessible and aligned with labour market demands, especially for youth and women. The project will also support the modernisation of training centres, introduce innovative pedagogical methods, and strengthen public-private partnerships. According to the Italian ambassador to Tunisia, the project reflects his government's commitment to supporting the vocational training sector in partnership with Tunisian authorities. He noted that this new initiative with UNIDO aligns with the "Mattei Plan for Africa," Tunisia Vision 2035, and national strategies in employment, youth socioeconomic inclusion, and economic development. It will open real and sustainable prospects for Tunisian youth, help form a qualified workforce, and expand opportunities for decent employment. ELMED: A regional project to harness energy surpluses Experts expect the Tunisia–Italy electricity interconnection project, ELMED, scheduled to enter into operation in 2028, to strengthen the stability of electricity supply in Tunisia. This will be achieved through energy transfer between Tunisia and Italy via a high-voltage 400-kilovolt submarine cable with a capacity of 600 megawatts and a length of 200 km, offering Tunisia a major opportunity to export renewable energy to Italy and Europe. It appears that the submarine cable for the ELMED electricity interconnection project between Tunisia and Italy was laid in July. Plans to draw loans are scheduled by the end of 2026 depending on the project's progress, according to data presented by the CEO of STEG, Faysal Tarifa, and his delegation during a hearing before the Finance and Budget Committee of the Assembly of People's Representatives at the end of June 2025. However, the project faces several challenges, including a lack of expertise, which necessitated recourse to foreign consultancy firms and caused some initial delays, in addition to land ownership issues. The officials noted that the project would contribute to developing electricity exchanges across the Mediterranean via a bidirectional 600 MW interconnection. It would also strengthen the stability of the Tunisian electrical system and complement the grid interconnection with Algeria, helping to cope with peak summer demand. ELMED will enhance energy cooperation across the Mediterranean, initiated in 1977 with the TRANSMED natural gas pipeline stretching 2,475 km from Algeria to Italy via Tunisia (370 km). According to the Italian electricity transmission company TERNA, the ELMED project will allow Italy to meet its electricity needs, which reached 31.3 billion kWh by the end of July 2024, a 4.5% increase compared to July 2023. This first direct electrical link between Europe and Africa, undertaken by STEG and its Italian counterpart TERNA, will secure electricity supply by reducing demand during summer peaks amid global warming and climate change, according to the National Chamber of Photovoltaic Energy under the Tunisian Union of Industry, Trade, and Handicrafts. The ELMED project will also offer Tunisia the opportunity to export green energy to Europe. Experts, during a parallel event at the Rimini international exhibition, stressed the need to develop renewable energy on a large scale, modernise electric grids, and invest in storage solutions to ensure the world's access to reliable, secure, and affordable electricity. Tunisian and Italian stakeholders believe that laying the 600 MW high-voltage direct current submarine cable from the "Partanna" station in Sicily to the "El-Melaab" station in the industrial zone of Menzel Temime (Cap Bon), as part of the ELMED project, will boost the integration of European energy systems in North Africa, promote efficient energy use, and increase the operational flexibility of electric systems. Tunisian–Italian cooperation also includes major projects such as the 'Taranto Innovation Zone,' which aims to achieve energy sustainability between the two countries by launching a platform to foster innovation and interaction between universities, research centres, businesses, and startups. It will serve as a think tank to generate, develop, and test new ideas in the energy field. It will also contribute to developing innovative projects aligned with new technological trends in energy and strengthening a culture of innovation, in addition to making Italian expertise in submarine electricity transmission available to STEG technicians and engineers. Major projects also include 'TANIT,' which aims to modernise Tunisia's agricultural sector, improve water resource management, and boost innovation in the agri-food sector. These major projects, falling within Tunisian–Italian cooperation, represent a significant step in bilateral collaboration, reinforcing Italy's role as a strategic partner for Tunisia on its path toward a resilient and sustainable economy. © Tap 2025 Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Zawya
4 hours ago
- Zawya
President Museveni Meets Egyptian Foreign Minister
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni yesterday met and held talks with the Egyptian delegation led by the Foreign Minister, Dr. Badr Abdelatty. During the meeting that took place at State House Entebbe, the Foreign Minister conveyed greetings from Egyptian President H.E Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. He also called for the formation of a joint Egyptian-Ugandan business council to boost investment in sectors like construction, energy, and pharmaceuticals. Dr. Badr pointed out the potential for joint projects through a financing mechanism recently established by Egypt to support development in southern Nile Basin countries. 'It's a great honor and pleasure to be here to convey the best wishes from your brother President Abdel Fattah who is looking forward to discussing with you and hopefully have a business forum where the business community can explore the existing opportunities for investment and mutual benefits,' he said. He added that his government values President Museveni's wise leadership as well as his vision for Africa especially on Pan-Africanism and South-South cooperation. The meeting also reflected on enhancing economic cooperation between the two countries by encouraging more investments in different sectors including energy, security as well as digitalization. Dr. Badr also saluted President Museveni and Uganda in general for its role in peace keeping missions in Somalia and other countries in Africa. President Museveni and the Egyptian delegation also discussed Egypt's existential concerns over its water security and ways to boost bilateral ties, among other things. In this regard, President Museveni emphasized the importance of preserving the African waters. The meeting was also attended by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Hon. Okello Oryem, Minister of State for Environment, Hon. Beatrice Anywar, among others. File Attachment PPU - PRESIDENT MUSEVENI MEETS EGYPTIAN FOREIGN (180.81 KB) Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Republic of Uganda - Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Zawya
4 hours ago
- Zawya
Wyndham surpasses 700 hotels in EMEA amid growth
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts has marked significant growth in its footprint across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA), with more than 720 hotels now operating. In the first half of 2025 alone, the company added over 4,700 rooms through more than 60 new hotel openings, driving year-over-year organic system growth of 5 per cent in EMEA, alongside 27 new deal signings in the region, reinforcing its focus on high-growth markets and expanding access to quality, branded accommodations to travellers across the region. Standout additions include the Dolce by Wyndham Siracusa, Monasteri Golf and Spa in Sicily and the Signature Cave Cappadocia, Trademark Collection by Wyndham in Turkiye; offering distinctive stays in one the region's most captivating destinations. Wyndham also opened new destinations across Eastern Europe and Central Asia, with launches in Georgia, Romania, and Kazakhstan, and accelerated its momentum in Eurasia with 21 new openings in the first half of the year, expanding the regional portfolio to over 90 hotels - primarily located in India, one of the world's most dynamic and fastest-growing hospitality markets. Wyndham's strategic development partnerships also played a key role in driving brand growth, bringing its globally recognised Super 8 by Wyndham brand to two high-demand markets: Saudi Arabia and Iberia. Dimitris Manikis, President EMEA, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts: 'With more than 720 hotels now open across EMEA, we're seeing incredible momentum. Travel is thriving and we're meeting that demand with a growing portfolio that reflects the energy and diversity of this region. From stunning resorts in Sicily to one-of-a-kind cave stays in Cappadocia, we're adding experiences that truly inspire. And with new signings in markets like Iberia and Saudi Arabia, we're not just growing - we're creating new opportunities for our partners and giving travellers even more great places to stay across the region.' This regional growth contributed to 4 per cent year-over-year global organic net room growth and Wyndham's 20th consecutive quarter of sequential developmental pipeline growth, reaching a record 255,000 rooms. Wyndham's EMEA region also delivered robust constant currency RevPAR growth of 7 per cent. Backed by its Owner First approach to franchising, Wyndham's continued expansion highlights the strength of its reputation and its long-term commitment to the success of franchisees and owners. Highlights from H1 2025 include: Continued expansion in Turkiye, where Wyndham is the largest hotel group, is now home to over 125 Wyndham-branded hotels, including landmark additions such as Cappadocia Cave Hotel by Wyndham, Wyndham Tarsus St. Paul and Wyndham Alanya. Robust development in Eurasia with 21 new hotel openings in the first half of the year, including Ramada Encore By Wyndham Lucknow Airport, Ramada by Wyndham Cox's Bazar Kolatoli Beach and Wyndham Garden Jim Corbett Chhoi. Strategic growth across Europe, reinforcing Wyndham's strong and established presence in key markets such as Germany, Greece, Portugal, Italy and Denmark, with further openings expected this year – a clear reflection of Europe's continued popularity with travellers. New destinations in Eastern Europe include the introduction of new brands such as La Quinta By Wyndham Batumi into Georgia and the addition of unique locations such as Tor're Astana, Trademark Collection and Wyndham Residences Aqkol in Kazakhstan. Landmark deals to bring Super 8 by Wyndham brand Saudi Arabia and Iberia, with plans for 100 hotels in the Kingdom and 40 across Spain and Portugal over the next decade - meeting the accelerating demand for trusted, value-driven accommodations in these dynamic markets. Copyright 2025 Al Hilal Publishing and Marketing Group Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
