Syria announces IMF envoy appointment following Washington meetings
DAMASCUS, Syria (North Press) – The Syrian transitional government’s Minister of Finance, Muhammad Yusr Barnieh, announced on Wednesday the appointment of an International Monetary Fund (IMF) envoy to Syria, following high-level meetings with the IMF and World Bank in Washington, D.C.
Barnieh said that at their request the IMF has appointed Ron van Rooden as head of the Fund’s mission to Syria. “This appointment marks a renewed phase of cooperation between the IMF and Syria.”
Barnieh, along with Central Bank Governor Abdul Qader Hasria, traveled to the U.S. on April 20 to engage with international financial institutions in a series of discussions aimed at rebuilding Syria’s economic ties.
He emphasized Syria’s commitment to reintegrating into the global financial system and strengthening partnerships with international institutions.
Barnieh also noted his participation in the ministerial meeting of the Group of Twenty-Four (G24), marking Syria’s return to the group’s discussions in Washington for the first time since 2010.
Othman Dione, World Bank Vice President for the Middle East and North Africa, shared on platform X, that they held productive meetings with the Syrian Minister of Finance and the Central Bank Governor during the Spring Meetings.
He added, “We discussed key priorities for recovery and reform and reaffirmed the World Bank’s readiness to support the Syrian people in areas such as energy and digital technology.”
“We discussed priority areas for recovery and reform, and reaffirmed the @WorldBank’s readiness to support the Syrian people—on energy and digitalization.”