Syrians Not Interested in Iranian Companies’ Presence in Reconstruction

Head of Association of Mass Housing Builders of Tehran says since Iran is currently out of the FATF, this issue has created problem even for Syria to cooperate with Iran and it makes difficult cooperation for both sides. Speaking to ILNA and reacting to Minister of Roads and Urban Development’s remarks for readiness to be present in the big housing projects in Syria, Iraj Rahbar said that this is not a new issue and since years ago, Iranian officials have been talking about the presence of Iranian companies for cooperation in construction in Syria and they have also had some meetings with Syrian officials for involvement of Iranian companies in reconstruction projects in Syria. He added that once the talks for construction of 20,000 housing units in Syria by Iranians became more serious but due to some reasons and several problems, neither Iranian mass housing builders nor Syrians have no interest for cooperation.

Rahbar said that one of the main problems for cooperation on developmental and construction projects in Syria is the issue of issuing and releasing the guarantees by Syrians and Syrians create hurdles and this action shows that Syrians are not interested in the presence of Iranians in their reconstruction. He added that the other major problem is lack of membership of Iran in the FATF and sanctions on financial transactions because Iran’s being out of the FATF has created cooperation for both sides. Rahbar also said that one of the other problems is transportation of construction material and the only cheapest route for shipping construction material is Latakia Port of Syria and it needs strong talks but this issue in Iran has no custodian to pursue it.

He added that currently transportation of construction material is expensive for builders and they show no interest to involve the projects in Syria. He reiterated that although statesmen of both countries announce readiness for cooperation but nor proper ground is provided for the presence of Iranian companies in Syria and Damascus due to the existing restrictions and problems shows no interest to cooperate with Iranians, too. Rahbar went on to say that Turkey and Russia have entered reconstruction projects in Syria and Turkey unlike Iran entered strongly in Syria’s reconstruction projects but after a while and implementing some projects, the presence of Turkish companies did not expand. He added that Russians due to their military power and strong capabilities have more dominance on Syrian market and most port, energy and power plant projects in Syria are in hands of Russians but Russians are less interested in housing projects. - Iran News