Saudi Arabia signs $403 million development loan agreements to support Syria's reconstruction

RIYADH — The Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) signed six concessional development loan agreements worth more than $403 million with Syria on Thursday to support key sectors, including energy, water, health, housing, infrastructure and digital transformation.The agreements were signed in the presence of Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman and Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa, in implementation of the directives of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman and the Crown Prince.SFD Chief Executive Officer Sultan Al-Marshad and Syrian Minister of Finance Mohammed Yisr Barnieh signed the agreements, which aim to restore essential services, rehabilitate damaged infrastructure and improve living conditions across Syria.The agreements cover six development projects targeting critical infrastructure and public services.A $90 million project will rehabilitate generating units at the Aleppo Thermal Power Plant, benefiting approximately five million people.The project aims to restore the plant's electricity generation capacity, provide a stable power supply to residents and public facilities, support economic and industrial activity, and strengthen the national electricity grid.Another agreement, valued at $30 million, will support the modernization of Syria's drinking water metering system through the supply and installation of 300,000 smart water meters.The project is expected to benefit approximately 1.5 million people across several governorates while improving the quality and efficiency of water services.A $105 million project will finance the construction, rehabilitation and equipping of 25 civil defense centers across several governorates, benefiting more than seven million people.The initiative seeks to strengthen emergency response and disaster management capabilities, including debris removal and management, while supporting stability in communities affected by the conflict.The agreements also include a $60 million housing rehabilitation project targeting up to 10,000 damaged residential units in various parts of Syria, contributing to improved living conditions and social stability.In the healthcare sector, a $100 million project will support the rehabilitation, construction and equipping of hospitals and health centers.The project aims to restore essential and specialized medical services, upgrade priority healthcare facilities, expand access to treatment and reduce pressure on existing hospitals.Additionally, more than $18 million will be allocated to support the digital transformation and institutional development of the Syrian Ministry of Finance.The project will introduce an integrated digital system designed to improve the experience of beneficiaries and enhance the efficiency and transparency of government financial services.The agreements reflect Saudi Arabia's continued development support for Syria through SFD, focusing on restoring essential services, rebuilding infrastructure and improving access to sustainable public services.In September 2025, Saudi Arabia, through SFD, provided two grants to Syria to supply crude oil and cover part of government employees' salaries for three months.