Lorries shuttle back and forth as cargo ships unload their wares at the port of Tartus on Syria's Mediterranean coast: the scene was unthinkable only months ago as Syria remained a pariah in international business. Now, the quayside is a hive of activity as foreign firms seek opportunities after the fall of Bashar Al Assad.
The city of Tartus is home to Syria's second-largest seaport, a strategic hub on international transit routes through the Mediterranean Sea. But the port fell into disuse under the Assad regime due to western sanctions on Syria and high customs fees.
During a recent visit, workers told The National the port had previously been so neglected that they could not even find basic supplies such as stationery. Now, they say they are working non-stop to repair machinery, as business booms.
Ayman Hamawiye, president of the Syrian government's Investment Authority, told The National: “The port almost came to a halt due to the sanctions: international shipping companies didn’t dare deal with Syrian ports, except for a few companies that weren’t very significant – those tied to or complicit with the former regime.”
Activity began to gather pace again after former president Mr Al Assad was toppled by rebels in December. Under the long-time dictator, Syria was left largely isolated from the international economy as the regime fought a 13-year civil war.
The game-changer for the economy since the change of power were announcements by the US and EU that they would lift the sanctions imposed during Mr Al Assad's presidency.
The move has reignited the appetite of overseas businesses, with the Investment Authority reporting it has received hundreds of letters in recent weeks expressing interest.
“There’s now a real need to develop the ports – not just Tartus but also Latakia, along with the dry ports – because transit traffic, commercial activity and overall movement are expected to dramatically increase,“ Mr Hamawiye said.
Early this month, Syria renewed a deal with French shipping giant CMA CGM to develop and operate Tartus for another 30 years. DP World, the Dubai-based port operator, signed an agreement for a multipurpose terminal at the port worth $800 million. The Emirati company was selected from several international firms that sent proposals.
“This is one of the most important deals signed since the announcement of the lifting of western sanctions,” Mr Hamawiye said. While the deal is so far non-binding, he said there was no doubt it will be implemented.
Under the Assad regime, the port was run by a Russian company, STG Stroytransgaz, which was granted a 49-year lease in 2019. In January this year, the new authorities cancelled the contract in a sign of Russia's waning influence in Syria. Moscow was a primary backer of Mr Al Assad.
All revenue from the port now goes to the Syrian state, said Riad Joudi, head of customs for the wider Tartous governorate.
The Tartus seaport also houses Russia’s only overseas naval base, which serves as a repair and replenishment point for the Russian navy in the Mediterranean.
The cancellation of Russia's port management deal is not related to the military facility. However, it has cast doubt on the base's future amid signs that Moscow's sway is fading.
Port employees told The National the naval base has been largely emptied out since Mr Al Assad was deposed. Satellite images show most military equipment has been withdrawn.
In addition to the Tartus base, Russia also maintains an airbase at Hmeimim in Latakia governorate.
After the fall of the Assad regime, The National reported that communication was taking place between Russia and the new Syrian authorities, with Moscow hoping to maintain its military presence.
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Other ways to buy used products in the UAE
UAE insurance firm Al Wathba National Insurance Company (AWNIC) last year launched an e-commerce website with a facility enabling users to buy car wrecks.
Bidders and potential buyers register on the online salvage car auction portal to view vehicles, review condition reports, or arrange physical surveys, and then start bidding for motors they plan to restore or harvest for parts.
Physical salvage car auctions are a common method for insurers around the world to move on heavily damaged vehicles, but AWNIC is one of the few UAE insurers to offer such services online.
For cars and less sizeable items such as bicycles and furniture, Dubizzle is arguably the best-known marketplace for pre-loved.
Founded in 2005, in recent years it has been joined by a plethora of Facebook community pages for shifting used goods, including Abu Dhabi Marketplace, Flea Market UAE and Arabian Ranches Souq Market while sites such as The Luxury Closet and Riot deal largely in second-hand fashion.
At the high-end of the pre-used spectrum, resellers such as Timepiece360.ae, WatchBox Middle East and Watches Market Dubai deal in authenticated second-hand luxury timepieces from brands such as Rolex, Hublot and Tag Heuer, with a warranty.
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More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
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Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
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The specs
Price, base / as tested Dh12 million
Engine 8.0-litre quad-turbo, W16
Gearbox seven-speed dual clutch auto
Power 1479 @ 6,700rpm
Torque 1600Nm @ 2,000rpm 0-100kph: 2.6 seconds 0-200kph: 6.1 seconds
Top speed 420 kph (governed)
Fuel economy, combined 35.2L / 100km (est)
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
UK-EU trade at a glance
EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years
Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products
Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries
Smoother border management with use of e-gates
Cutting red tape on import and export of food
Results
2.15pm: Handicap Dh80,000 1,950m
Winner: Hello, Tadhg O’Shea (jockey), Ali Rashid Al Raihi (trainer).
2.45pm: Handicap Dh90,000 1,800m
Winner: Right Flank, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson.
3.15pm: Handicap Dh115,000 1,000m
Winner: Leading Spirit, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar.
3.45pm: Jebel Ali Mile Group 3 Dh575,000 1,600m
Winner: Chiefdom, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer.
4.15pm: Handicap Dh105,000 1,400m
Winner: Ode To Autumn, Patrick Cosgrave, Satish Seemar.
4.45pm: Shadwell Farm Conditions Dh125,000 1,200m
Winner: Last Surprise, James Doyle, Simon Crisford.
5.15pm: Handicap Dh85,000 1,200m
Winner: Daltrey, Sandro Paiva, Ali Rashid Al Raihi.
Most sought after workplace benefits in the UAE
- Flexible work arrangements
- Pension support
- Mental well-being assistance
- Insurance coverage for optical, dental, alternative medicine, cancer screening
- Financial well-being incentives
TCL INFO
Teams:
Punjabi Legends Owners: Inzamam-ul-Haq and Intizar-ul-Haq; Key player: Misbah-ul-Haq
Pakhtoons Owners: Habib Khan and Tajuddin Khan; Key player: Shahid Afridi
Maratha Arabians Owners: Sohail Khan, Ali Tumbi, Parvez Khan; Key player: Virender Sehwag
Bangla Tigers Owners: Shirajuddin Alam, Yasin Choudhary, Neelesh Bhatnager, Anis and Rizwan Sajan; Key player: TBC
Colombo Lions Owners: Sri Lanka Cricket; Key player: TBC
Kerala Kings Owners: Hussain Adam Ali and Shafi Ul Mulk; Key player: Eoin Morgan
Venue Sharjah Cricket Stadium
Format 10 overs per side, matches last for 90 minutes
Timeline October 25: Around 120 players to be entered into a draft, to be held in Dubai; December 21: Matches start; December 24: Finals