Khaberni - Syrian Finance Minister Mohammad Yasser Berneyeh confirmed that the recent Qatari-Saudi grant to support public sector employee salaries, amounting to about 89 million dollars, in partnership with Saudi Arabia, enhances stability and development.
The minister said, in a conversation with the Qatari news agency (QNA), that the Syrian government highly appreciates this continuous support, valued in various fields, indicating that Qatar's contributions had a tangible positive impact during the Syrian crisis and afterwards, enhancing national institutions and supporting the development journey.
Berneyeh explained that the Qatari-Saudi grant came at a critically important stage, where Qatar contributed to energy and electricity projects that will enhance vital services and ensure their continuity, as they form a fundamental pillar of economic growth and sustainable development, in addition to its investments in infrastructure projects that support the Syrian economy.
The minister added that the support from Qatar and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to contribute to paying public sector salaries is an extension of the role they previously played, and it helps the Syrian government to move forward in a plan to reform the wage system and settle arrears at the World Bank, which reflects Qatar's commitment to supporting the Syrian state's efforts to achieve economic recovery and restore the path of sustainable development.
Berneyeh pointed out that the grant reflects the depth of brotherly relations between Syria and Qatar, confirming Doha's firm commitment to supporting Syria in its journey towards rebuilding and comprehensive development. He added that the initiative will contribute to improving the living standards of public sector workers, and complements previous grants that supported the stability of public services and eased the living burdens on employees and citizens, in addition to supporting the government's efforts in implementing wage system reforms.
The minister explained that the grant will contribute in stages to covering about 17% of the civilian employees' salary bill, an important percentage that allows the government to move forward in an economic, financial, and social reform program, which positively reflects on the citizens' livelihood and the stability of state institutions’ performance.
The minister affirmed that Syria seeks to build on this continuous support to expand cooperation areas in the upcoming phase, through developing strategic partnerships with brotherly and friendly countries, which enhances opportunities for economic and social development, attracts investments, and improves the quality of essential services.
He explained that cooperation with Qatar and Saudi Arabia gains special importance in supporting vital sectors and developing economic policies, transferring institutional experiences, knowledge, and technologies, which contributes to institutional reform, revitalizing the economy, and improving living standards in an integrated and sustainable manner.
The joint Qatari-Saudi grant was announced last September, with a total value of about 89 million dollars, to support the salaries of public sector employees in Syria and contribute to the stability of basic services, through the Qatar Development Fund and the Saudi Development Fund, in cooperation with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), with the aim of supporting the Syrian government's efforts to implement financial and economic reforms and improve the living standards of employees as part of the national recovery program.
