
Syria, Turkey to begin gas supplies in June, electricity link by year-end: Minister
Syrian Energy Minister Mohammed al-Bashir announced that Damascus and Ankara are moving forward with plans to complete a joint gas pipeline, with natural gas supplies expected to begin in June.
He also confirmed that work is underway to activate the long-delayed electricity interconnection project, which is expected to be operational by the end of the year.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


LBCI
2 days ago
- LBCI
From isolation to investment: Syria's comeback highlights Lebanon's stalled crisis
Report by Joe Farchakh, English adaptation by Yasmine Jaroudi As U.S. sanctions on Syria are lifted, the war-torn country is witnessing a wave of Arab and international investment, including a $7 billion agreement signed with a consortium of leading energy companies. The rapid influx of capital is viewed as a significant endorsement of Syria's newly formed government and its efforts to re-enter the regional economic landscape after more than a decade of isolation. According to LBCI sources, the pace of development projects in Syria is driven by multiple factors. Among them is President Ahmed al-Sharaa's determination, since taking office, to act swiftly to gain both domestic and international trust and to assert his legitimacy as the country's leader despite early skepticism. Government ministers are also reportedly competing internally to launch successful initiatives, while the state has adopted a thoroughly liberal economic policy aimed at reducing the public sector's dominance and encouraging both Syrian and foreign private investment. This surge in foreign investment in Syria comes in stark contrast to Lebanon, which continues to suffer from a lack of investor confidence. Is Lebanon's problem purely political, or does it stem from the absence of a coherent national economic strategy? The current situation draws comparisons to 1992 when the late Prime Minister Rafic Hariri took office during a similarly dire economic period. Back then, Lebanon was dealing with a deep recession, high inflation, soaring unemployment, and a collapsing currency—conditions that echo today's crisis. Hariri responded with a clear vision for economic recovery, launching the ambitious "HORIZON 2000" reconstruction plan. His initiative focused on revitalizing Beirut as the heart of the country, rebuilding its downtown district, and rehabilitating essential infrastructure, including the Beirut port and international airport. The renewed trust in Lebanon that followed helped Hariri attract significant investment from Lebanese, Arab, and international sources in tourism, real estate, finance, and industry. Beirut reemerged as a hub for global conferences and business forums, drawing investors and political leaders alike. Throughout his tenure, Hariri maintained and strengthened Lebanon's Arab and international ties, leveraging those relationships to rebuild the nation's economy. Today, as Lebanon faces one of its worst crises, can the country find its way back by reviving the Hariri model of leadership and economic diplomacy?


LBCI
4 days ago
- LBCI
Syrian Telecom Minister tells LBCI: No privatization, 'SilkLink' project to connect Asia and Europe through Syria
Syrian Telecommunications Minister told LBCI that there are no plans to privatize the Syrian telecom sector, clarifying that current efforts are focused on joint investments to enhance the industry. The minister revealed the launch of a new initiative by the ministry called 'SilkLink,' a strategic digital infrastructure project aimed at positioning Syria as a vital data corridor between Asia and Europe. 'This project places Syria on the global digital map as a strategic route for data traffic,' the minister said, emphasizing its role in strengthening Syria's digital connectivity and economic positioning. He added that further details about the project will be announced to the media shortly.

LBCI
4 days ago
- LBCI
Syria signs $7 billion power deal with Qatar's UCC Holding-led consortium
Syria has signed a memorandum of understanding with a consortium of international companies led by Qatar's UCC Holding to develop major power generation projects with a foreign investment valued at about $7 billion, UCC said in a statement on Thursday. The agreement involves building four combined-cycle gas turbine power plants with a total capacity of 4,000 megawatts, plus a 1,000-MW solar power plant in southern Syria. "This agreement marks a crucial step in Syria's infrastructure recovery plan," said Syrian Energy Minister Mohammed al-Bashir, who signed the deal in Damascus in the presence of Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa and U.S. envoy for Syria, Thomas Barrack. Construction is expected to begin after final agreements and financial close, and is targeted to finish within three years for the gas plants and less than two years for the solar plant. Once completed, the projects are expected to provide over 50% of Syria's electricity needs.