For the first time in 55 years of World Economic Forum annual meetings, a Syrian official representing the government is attending Davos. Asaad Al Shibani, the country’s new Foreign Minister, arrived on Tuesday and has had a series of meetings to explain the vision of the new Syrian authorities to world leaders.
Mr Al Shibani’s attendance in Davos is part of a wider opening up by the West to Syria and his main message is that his country is open for business. However, that opening up is stalled by international sanctions, particularly from the US, still imposed on Syria.
Mr Al Shibani addressed a room packed with officials, journalists and business people on Wednesday afternoon in a moderated event. His moderator was a surprising choice, former British prime minister Tony Blair. He started the conversation by asking Mr Al Shibani how things are in Damascus, to which the minister responded with a broad smile: “It is amazing. Finally, we have our freedom."
Mr Al Shibani went on to say that “we have mini-Davoses in Damascus every day”, alluding to the many diplomatic visitors the Syrian capital has hosted since the fall of former president Bashar Al Assad's regime in December. And while Mr Al Shibani said “people are celebrating”, he also acknowledged that during the Syrian civil war “15 million people were killed and displaced - I owe my place to them”.
He was very clear about the authorities he represents being committed to a just future and representing all Syrians. However, when Mr Blair asked him about the issue of minorities, Mr Al Shibani was clear that Syria should be for all Syrians, rather than dividing the population based on ethnicity or religion. Responding to a question about whether women will be represented in government, he said: “Of course, they should be."
The Syrian official spoke of the need to rebuild the country. “We will not look at the past - [we are] looking to the future," he added. He also committed to making sure Syrians are treated fairly. “We will not repeat the past."
A key factor in the rebuilding of Syria will be the ability to bring in foreign investment, much of which relies on removing the sanctions. “We inherited a collapsed state in Syria," Mr Al Shibani said. "There is no economy. We have a big opportunity for investment."
He made it clear that Syria is open to business and drew a sharp contrast with the regime that put restrictions on businesses before the civil war. “From the first day we have a vision - the economy will be open and we will open the road for investment in Syria from all the world," Mr Al Shibani said.
He highlighted five sectors that his government is working on: energy, telecommunications, roads and airports, education and health.
While he did not go into details about the challenges facing his country, he acknowledged that many challenges exist. “We know there are high expectations, but the Syrian people are ambitious," he added. He said jokingly that US President Donald Trump took the slogan "America first" from Syrians who insist “Syria first” will be their motto.
Mr Blair said he would meet Mr Al Shibani at the next annual meeting of the World Economic Forum to determine how much of his government’s promises have been implemented.
While Mr Al Shibani had many meetings, he did not hold talks with the Iranian delegation. Tehran's Vice President Javad Zarif is attending the meeting and the two men have been seen in the same hall, but it appears they have not spoken or interacted directly.
Other officials who met the Syrian Foreign Minister and some who have been to Damascus in the past few weeks said everything they hear from the new authorities is very promising, but what will ultimately matter is the actions of those authorities. That is what they will be judged on by the international community and their own people.
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
The five pillars of Islam
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AS IT STANDS IN POOL A
1. Japan - Played 3, Won 3, Points 14
2. Ireland - Played 3, Won 2, Lost 1, Points 11
3. Scotland - Played 2, Won 1, Lost 1, Points 5
Remaining fixtures
Scotland v Russia – Wednesday, 11.15am
Ireland v Samoa – Saturday, 2.45pm
Japan v Scotland – Sunday, 2.45pm
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
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The bio
Job: Coder, website designer and chief executive, Trinet solutions
School: Year 8 pupil at Elite English School in Abu Hail, Deira
Role Models: Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk
Dream City: San Francisco
Hometown: Dubai
City of birth: Thiruvilla, Kerala
The years Ramadan fell in May
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THE BIO
Bio Box
Role Model: Sheikh Zayed, God bless his soul
Favorite book: Zayed Biography of the leader
Favorite quote: To be or not to be, that is the question, from William Shakespeare's Hamlet
Favorite food: seafood
Favorite place to travel: Lebanon
Favorite movie: Braveheart
In numbers: China in Dubai
The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000
Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000
Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
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Bert van Marwijk factfile
Born: May 19 1952
Place of birth: Deventer, Netherlands
Playing position: Midfielder
Teams managed:
1998-2000 Fortuna Sittard
2000-2004 Feyenoord
2004-2006 Borussia Dortmund
2007-2008 Feyenoord
2008-2012 Netherlands
2013-2014 Hamburg
2015-2017 Saudi Arabia
2018 Australia
Major honours (manager):
2001/02 Uefa Cup, Feyenoord
2007/08 KNVB Cup, Feyenoord
World Cup runner-up, Netherlands
How to join and use Abu Dhabi’s public libraries
• There are six libraries in Abu Dhabi emirate run by the Department of Culture and Tourism, including one in Al Ain and Al Dhafra.
• Libraries are free to visit and visitors can consult books, use online resources and study there. Most are open from 8am to 8pm on weekdays, closed on Fridays and have variable hours on Saturdays, except for Qasr Al Watan which is open from 10am to 8pm every day.
• In order to borrow books, visitors must join the service by providing a passport photograph, Emirates ID and a refundable deposit of Dh400. Members can borrow five books for three weeks, all of which are renewable up to two times online.
• If users do not wish to pay the fee, they can still use the library’s electronic resources for free by simply registering on the website. Once registered, a username and password is provided, allowing remote access.
• For more information visit the library network's website.
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
Other acts on the Jazz Garden bill
Sharrie Williams
The American singer is hugely respected in blues circles due to her passionate vocals and songwriting. Born and raised in Michigan, Williams began recording and touring as a teenage gospel singer. Her career took off with the blues band The Wiseguys. Such was the acclaim of their live shows that they toured throughout Europe and in Africa. As a solo artist, Williams has also collaborated with the likes of the late Dizzy Gillespie, Van Morrison and Mavis Staples.
Lin Rountree
An accomplished smooth jazz artist who blends his chilled approach with R‘n’B. Trained at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, DC, Rountree formed his own band in 2004. He has also recorded with the likes of Kem, Dwele and Conya Doss. He comes to Dubai on the back of his new single Pass The Groove, from his forthcoming 2018 album Stronger Still, which may follow his five previous solo albums in cracking the top 10 of the US jazz charts.
Anita Williams
Dubai-based singer Anita Williams will open the night with a set of covers and swing, jazz and blues standards that made her an in-demand singer across the emirate. The Irish singer has been performing in Dubai since 2008 at venues such as MusicHall and Voda Bar. Her Jazz Garden appearance is career highlight as she will use the event to perform the original song Big Blue Eyes, the single from her debut solo album, due for release soon.
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Score
Third Test, Day 2
New Zealand 274
Pakistan 139-3 (61 ov)
Pakistan trail by 135 runs with 7 wickets remaining in the innings
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
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Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
