Prince Al-Walid voices readiness to back development in Syria
Syria-Saudi Arabia, Business, 3/23/2006

Chairman of the Kingdom Hotels Investments Prince Al-Walid Bin Talal Expressed readiness Wednesday to support every developing lead that would increase Syrias economic force.

At a lunch banquet to honor President Bashar al-Assad opening of the Four Seasons Hotel of Damascus, Prince Al-Walid said we are full ready to put all capabilities of the Holding Company and the Kingdom Hotels Investments that back and support Syria in any project needs an administrative buttress.

He said that "Syria could enter the world of investments and development from its biggest door noting that all obstacles might be surmounted and that is what we are looking for."

Prince Al-Walid depicted the project of the Four Seasons Hotels, which is inaugurated today, as a project boosting the inter-Arab trade, noting that it would be a pioneering project in the process of Arab investments.

The prince reassured Syria that bookings at the hotel are excellent despite of all pressures put on her.

"Pressures on Syria are big and we feel them as you do. Stressing Syria is clear and some are trying to depict the Syrian position as difficult; but I can reassure you Mr. President that bookings in the Four Seasons Hotel are excellent and that the hotel is full not only by Syrians and Arabs but also by the Europeans, Canadians and Americans," Al-Walid said.

Chairman of the holding company said the Syrian- Saudi relations are ideal and invulnerable and there is a red line in front of those trying to access them.

"If we are pouring into the pure river of the honest fraternal ties joining the Saudi Arabia and her sister Syria, then these ties are ideal I would like to confirm that ties between Syria and the Saudi Arabia are untouchable and there is a red line in front of those tarrying to approach them as like as the relationship between King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz and President Bashar al-Assad," Prince Al-Walid said.

"Syria will always a neighbor to Lebanon weather he likes it or not," the prince said stressing that the Syrians will remain neighbors to the Lebanese. He noted that this relation would remain and become stronger as like as Syria is remaining by Lebanon, Jordan and Palestine due to the geography of Bilad al-Sham.

He sent a clear message to all from this platform saying Syria will keep as a neighbor to Lebanon weather they like it or not. Prince Al-Walid pledged to stand by Syria in the first line of defense and to keep as an investor who contributes to the process of construction and modernization in Syria.

He asked why some are calling to punish Syria and some are punishing Syria saying this was due to Syria's refusal to be but herself as the Syria for construction Syria for Arabism and Islam and say briefly that she will keep as Syria the steadfastness as she has been during the late President Hafez al-Assad.

He also called for the return of Syrian immigrating capitals back into Syria from the European and African countries to contribute to increasing investments in the Country.

Syria doesn't suffer any shortage in investments a good proof of this is the increasing number of gulf countries investments, particularly from Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar and Kuwait. He expressed relief over the political situation in Syria, saying that talks will be held during the coming hours to discuss new investment opportunities between the Hotels Projects Company and Ministry of Tourism.

Bin Al-Walid, owner of the Kingdoms Holding Company, underlined that Syria is at the end of a difficult stage due to pressures it is exposed to, saying that these pressures will end peacefully and this will be an incentive to increase investments in the country.

Prince Al-Walid renewed the desire of his company to expand investments in Syria in all fields, referring to future projects along the Syrian Coast.

President Bashar al-Assad, conferred during a meeting at al-Shaab Palace with Prince al-Walid Bin Talal on prospects of new investments in Syria as well as the positive atmospheres in the country.

Later, President Assad awarded Prince al-Walid the Umayyad national medal in appreciation of his national and pan-Arab stances as well his achievements in Syria.

Prince al-Walid, for his part, thanked President Assad for this honor, expressing pride of this reward as offered by Syria.

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  al-Thawra: Saudi tourism to Syria great growth   (8/19/2005)
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