On reforms in Syria

The Syrian economist Nabil Sukkar has stated that the media in Syria talked for the first time about reform in Syria at the political and economic levels, but so far there is still more rhetoric than action -- as if that many of the decision makers think that by talking -- they can compensate for what they should have done.

In a statement with the London- based al-Sharq al-Awsat daily issued yesterday, Sukkar added that talks on "specialization" is always there, but nothing concrete has happened and the authorities are obsessed with reforms in the public sector -- a sector which is dying.

Sukkar encouraged the emergence of a genuine Syrian private sector and Syrian and foreign investments in order to have a real market. He indicated the increased number of unemployment which has reached a critical level especially among the youths, noting that there is a drastic need to provide 250,00 work opportunities every year, and that the strong and modern private sector is the one which is able to achieve a growth rate estimated between 7 to 8 %, which means ensuring the required job opportunities.

Nabil Sukkar said that the economy should be either "socialist" like the old traditional way or a modern "market economy." He explained that Syria has not boycotted the old system ( socialism). A matter which makes investors hesitant to come back to Syria for investment, including the Syrians in Diaspora.