Syria In The Shadow Of Sanctions And War: There Are Still More Than 300 Investment Opportunities.

"We still have more than 300 investment opportunities here."

In December 19th, held in Damascus.

On this day, the Damascus stock index fell to 850 points, which shrank by more than half compared with 1750 in February this year.

Hotels in the capital have become increasingly crowded.

But on the street, cars still come and go as usual.

There were demonstrators supporting President Assad in the square.

Western and Arab League economic sanctions are encircling the country.

In order to resist the impact, the Syria government recently launched a series of

Diab told reporters at the investment forum that Syria is now the most important.

The Minister of economy of Syria, who attended the event, said in his speech that he could promise investors' returns.

However, according to the reporter's observation, there were few foreign investors present.

Zhang Xiaodong, Secretary General of the Middle East Institute, said: "it may be seen that businessmen in the Gulf countries who invested in Syria have been affected by sanctions."

Syria industry minister Adnan Salak told the newspaper that Syria is looking forward to cooperating with China in fertilizer production and textile industry.

Diab disclosed that he is currently in contact with a state-owned Chinese company, which intends to invest in railways, electricity and infrastructure.

A cool hotel, a hot textile mill.

Syria's economy, dominated by agriculture, food processing and textile industry, is very low in dependence on foreign capital.

Diab said that the current stock of foreign capital was only $1 billion, he said, not worried about the impact of sanctions.

On the 19 day, traffic on the streets of Damascus was still very busy.

From time to time, young people holding the Syria national flag played the music through the car and joined the parade to support the president in the square on the same day.

A staff member of the Chinese Embassy in Syria told the newspaper that even under sanctions, the livelihood of the Syrians is still not a problem.

"Developed agriculture can basically guarantee self-sufficiency."

"Every cloud has silver sides."

Nora Chuck, director of Syria Europe Business Center, made such a judgement on the current economic situation.

The agency was founded in Syria and signed the Barcelona agreement with the European Union, and the aid projects from the EU to help the private sector of the economy in Syria come out.

"Economic sanctions have made people more supportive of the government and awakened young people's sense of responsibility towards the state.

The Syrians gradually realized the significance of China and Russia against sanctions.

Nora Chuck said.

The reporter said that because the embargo had cut off the international source of goods and the market demand could not be satisfied, some local textile factories that were once depressed had gained more orders instead of Syria.

A local Chinese diplomat confirmed to reporters that China did not evacuate the overseas Chinese at present.

"Because of the reduced workload, Chinese enterprises have streamlined their scale."

Even after the announcement of the withdrawal of overseas nationals in European countries, private contacts were not completely interrupted.

French Michel Jean told reporters that he had decided to be president of a French school in Damascus because the former principal had left.

"I am a retired person. I have time to do these things."

Michel said.

However, the political situation has already affected Syria's economic situation and investor confidence.

From February to December 19th this year, the Damascus stock index dropped from 1750 to 850.

The constant violence in the news has severely damaged the local tourism industry. The Damascus luxury hotel, which has always been favored by European tourists, has only about 20% of the occupancy rate.

According to Chinese staff working in Syria, the Arab League's embargo sanctions led to shortages in parts of the capital.

"For example, milk powder, Syria has dairy industry, milk powder supply depends on imports."

Reporters also noted the blackouts caused by inadequate diesel supply.

According to the official interpretation of Syria, this is due to terrorist attacks on the oil pipeline.

But the staff of Chinese companies who work here say that the main reason is that diesel imports are limited and Syria's local diesel supply capability can not meet the electricity demand during the heating season.

Upcoming Arab League observation team

There is a glimmer of hope when sanctions cease.

Almost all the people in Damascus are paying close attention to this situation, and street vendors even neglect their business.

On the 19 day, the foreign minister of Syria announced that he agreed to allow the Arab League to send an observer mission to Syria.

Earlier, the Syria government decided to immediately impose economic sanctions against Syria because it did not sign the agreement to send an observer mission before the deadline.

Arab League Secretary General Alabi held a press conference after the signing of the agreement, said whether or not to stop sanctions must be decided by the Ministerial Conference of the League of Arab States. The meeting of the Ministerial Committee of the League of Arab States on Syria, which was originally held in Cairo on 21 may, was postponed.

The foreign minister of Syria stressed at the press conference of that day that after many consultations, signing the agreement finally meant the beginning of cooperation between Syria and the Arab League.

"Syria hopes to find a political solution as soon as possible with the assistance of the League of Arab States and the observation group."

It is reported that the period of observation signed on the same day is 1 months, and the total number of observation teams currently set is 100, but this is not the final number.

Each delegation consists of 10 or more people and will travel to different parts of Syria.

Members of the mission included representatives from Arabia countries and non-governmental organizations.

This means that the government of Syria needs to quell the situation as soon as possible.

At present, in the cities near the border, the government forces are still at war with the opposition.

On the 19 day, Holmes, who had just returned from the most confrontational confrontation to Damascus, returned to Damascus's Global Times reporter, telling Holmes that the government troops used heavy artillery in less than one square kilometers of old city.

He judged that the heavy firepower of the government forces was intended to deter the same armed opposition.

"The sound of guns ceased all night, but the days were calm as usual, with no casualties."

Qiu Yongzheng said, "we drove to all parts of Syria, and the government troops controlled the main roads."

The silent majority in the streets of the capital

Whether the public will support Assad is still uncertain.

The streets of Damascus are full of Assad's portraits. Young people in the square are singing and dancing to support the government March. But this does not represent all Syrians' opinions.

A young Syria girl in the United Arab Emirates told reporters that those who opposed Assad had been "forever" not in Damascus.

The opposition in North America and Europe has usually had the "accusation" of political prisoners, repeatedly demonstrating their determination to fight against the Assad family and hoping to pull it down with foreign powers.

Unlike those who are extremely enthusiastic supporters and opponents who want to fight to the end, the views of the people in Damascus are not clear at the moment.

According to the reporter's observation, in 10 months, Damascus experienced a period from deserted to normal life.

Most people have become accustomed to changes in the domestic situation.

"They are concerned about whether business is going to be the same as tomorrow and whether their livelihood is guaranteed."

A Syria student told reporters: "we didn't talk about politics in the past, but now politics has become the hottest topic."

But he did not share his views with reporters.