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.
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
Vidaamuyarchi
Director: Magizh Thirumeni
Stars: Ajith Kumar, Arjun Sarja, Trisha Krishnan, Regina Cassandra
Rating: 4/5
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The specs
Engine: Direct injection 4-cylinder 1.4-litre
Power: 150hp
Torque: 250Nm
Price: From Dh139,000
On sale: Now
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If you go...
Etihad Airways flies from Abu Dhabi to Kuala Lumpur, from about Dh3,600. Air Asia currently flies from Kuala Lumpur to Terengganu, with Berjaya Hotels & Resorts planning to launch direct chartered flights to Redang Island in the near future. Rooms at The Taaras Beach and Spa Resort start from 680RM (Dh597).
If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.
When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.
How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Bayern Munich v Real Madrid
When: April 25, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Allianz Arena, Munich
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 1, Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid
if you go
The flights
Emirates have direct flights from Dubai to Glasgow from Dh3,115. Alternatively, if you want to see a bit of Edinburgh first, then you can fly there direct with Etihad from Abu Dhabi.
The hotel
Located in the heart of Mackintosh's Glasgow, the Dakota Deluxe is perhaps the most refined hotel anywhere in the city. Doubles from Dh850
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Events and tours
There are various Mackintosh specific events throughout 2018 – for more details and to see a map of his surviving designs see glasgowmackintosh.com
For walking tours focussing on the Glasgow Style, see the website of the Glasgow School of Art.
More information
For ideas on planning a trip to Scotland, visit www.visitscotland.com
Traits of Chinese zodiac animals
Tiger:independent, successful, volatile
Rat:witty, creative, charming
Ox:diligent, perseverent, conservative
Rabbit:gracious, considerate, sensitive
Dragon:prosperous, brave, rash
Snake:calm, thoughtful, stubborn
Horse:faithful, energetic, carefree
Sheep:easy-going, peacemaker, curious
Monkey:family-orientated, clever, playful
Rooster:honest, confident, pompous
Dog:loyal, kind, perfectionist
Boar:loving, tolerant, indulgent
THE%20SPECS
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Cryopreservation: A timeline
- Keyhole surgery under general anaesthetic
- Ovarian tissue surgically removed
- Tissue processed in a high-tech facility
- Tissue re-implanted at a time of the patient’s choosing
- Full hormone production regained within 4-6 months
Paatal Lok season two
Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy
Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong
Rating: 4.5/5
Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
The%20Kitchen
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THE SPECS
Engine: 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V12 petrol engine
Power: 420kW
Torque: 780Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh1,350,000
On sale: Available for preorder now
The Africa Institute 101
Housed on the same site as the original Africa Hall, which first hosted an Arab-African Symposium in 1976, the newly renovated building will be home to a think tank and postgraduate studies hub (it will offer master’s and PhD programmes). The centre will focus on both the historical and contemporary links between Africa and the Gulf, and will serve as a meeting place for conferences, symposia, lectures, film screenings, plays, musical performances and more. In fact, today it is hosting a symposium – 5-plus-1: Rethinking Abstraction that will look at the six decades of Frank Bowling’s career, as well as those of his contemporaries that invested social, cultural and personal meaning into abstraction.
The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
The essentials
What: Emirates Airline Festival of Literature
When: Friday until March 9
Where: All main sessions are held in the InterContinental Dubai Festival City
Price: Sessions range from free entry to Dh125 tickets, with the exception of special events.
Hot Tip: If waiting for your book to be signed looks like it will be timeconsuming, ask the festival’s bookstore if they have pre-signed copies of the book you’re looking for. They should have a bunch from some of the festival’s biggest guest authors.
Information: www.emirateslitfest.com
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