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.
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
The alternatives
• Founded in 2014, Telr is a payment aggregator and gateway with an office in Silicon Oasis. It’s e-commerce entry plan costs Dh349 monthly (plus VAT). QR codes direct customers to an online payment page and merchants can generate payments through messaging apps.
• Business Bay’s Pallapay claims 40,000-plus active merchants who can invoice customers and receive payment by card. Fees range from 1.99 per cent plus Dh1 per transaction depending on payment method and location, such as online or via UAE mobile.
• Tap started in May 2013 in Kuwait, allowing Middle East businesses to bill, accept, receive and make payments online “easier, faster and smoother” via goSell and goCollect. It supports more than 10,000 merchants. Monthly fees range from US$65-100, plus card charges of 2.75-3.75 per cent and Dh1.2 per sale.
• 2checkout’s “all-in-one payment gateway and merchant account” accepts payments in 200-plus markets for 2.4-3.9 per cent, plus a Dh1.2-Dh1.8 currency conversion charge. The US provider processes online shop and mobile transactions and has 17,000-plus active digital commerce users.
• PayPal is probably the best-known online goods payment method - usually used for eBay purchases - but can be used to receive funds, providing everyone’s signed up. Costs from 2.9 per cent plus Dh1.2 per transaction.
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Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
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DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE
Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman, Emma Corrin
Director: Shawn Levy
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First Person
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Chatto & Windus
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Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
The specs
Engine: 77.4kW all-wheel-drive dual motor
Power: 320bhp
Torque: 605Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh219,000
On sale: Now
ESSENTIALS
The flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh via Yangon from Dh2,700 return including taxes. Cambodia Bayon Airlines and Cambodia Angkor Air offer return flights from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap from Dh250 return including taxes. The flight takes about 45 minutes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Raffles Le Royal in Phnom Penh cost from $225 (Dh826) per night including taxes. Rooms at the Grand Hotel d'Angkor cost from $261 (Dh960) per night including taxes.
The tours
A cyclo architecture tour of Phnom Penh costs from $20 (Dh75) per person for about three hours, with Khmer Architecture Tours. Tailor-made tours of all of Cambodia, or sites like Angkor alone, can be arranged by About Asia Travel. Emirates Holidays also offers packages.
The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
The biog
Name: Abeer Al Shahi
Emirate: Sharjah – Khor Fakkan
Education: Master’s degree in special education, preparing for a PhD in philosophy.
Favourite activities: Bungee jumping
Favourite quote: “My people and I will not settle for anything less than first place” – Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid.
Indoor cricket World Cup:
Insportz, Dubai, September 16-23
UAE fixtures:
Men
Saturday, September 16 – 1.45pm, v New Zealand
Sunday, September 17 – 10.30am, v Australia; 3.45pm, v South Africa
Monday, September 18 – 2pm, v England; 7.15pm, v India
Tuesday, September 19 – 12.15pm, v Singapore; 5.30pm, v Sri Lanka
Thursday, September 21 – 2pm v Malaysia
Friday, September 22 – 3.30pm, semi-final
Saturday, September 23 – 3pm, grand final
Women
Saturday, September 16 – 5.15pm, v Australia
Sunday, September 17 – 2pm, v South Africa; 7.15pm, v New Zealand
Monday, September 18 – 5.30pm, v England
Tuesday, September 19 – 10.30am, v New Zealand; 3.45pm, v South Africa
Thursday, September 21 – 12.15pm, v Australia
Friday, September 22 – 1.30pm, semi-final
Saturday, September 23 – 1pm, grand final
Despacito's dominance in numbers
Released: 2017
Peak chart position: No.1 in more than 47 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia and Lebanon
Views: 5.3 billion on YouTube
Sales: With 10 million downloads in the US, Despacito became the first Latin single to receive Diamond sales certification
Streams: 1.3 billion combined audio and video by the end of 2017, making it the biggest digital hit of the year.
Awards: 17, including Record of the Year at last year’s prestigious Latin Grammy Awards, as well as five Billboard Music Awards
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
