April 27, 2015 – Our Weekly Selection
A selection of ten articles on economic and social aspects in Syria.
Syria, Iran Discuss Boosting Cooperation in Reconstruction Stage: “Iranian ambassador meets with Public Works minister to discuss joint cooperation in the reconstruction of Syria’s infrastructure and service projects.”
Vegetable Prices Increase After Regime Loses Nasib Crossing: “Regime’s loss of Nasib border crossing with Jordan responsible for a hike in fresh produce prices inside Syria.”
Cabinet Announces Decisions to Stabilize Exchange Rate: “Ministers discuss efforts to stabilize the Syrian currency as the SYP continues to drop against the US dollar.”
U.N. invites Syrian parties to Geneva peace talks in May: “The United Nations envoy to Syria said on Friday he will begin meeting in May with the country’s government, opposition groups, and regional powers including Iran to assess by the end of June whether there is any hope brokering an end to the war.”
UN Envoy on Syria Warns That May Talks Are Not Negotiations: “A new series of talks on the Syrian war that begin next month in Geneva should not be seen as negotiations toward a peace deal, the U.N. special envoy on Syria warned the Security Council on Friday, while an Iranian diplomat indicated that his country would take part.”
Jordan’s most important trade route has been cut after the Syria border closure: “He said there were more than 1,000 traders doing business there — Syrians, Jordanians, even Iraqis — with a combined inventory of more than $1 billion (917 million euros).”
Workers Rights Deteriorate Inside Syria: “Although the total workforce in Syria is over 5.8 million, the conditions of many industrialists, artisans and workers have collapsed, with many qualified and experienced workers finding themselves on the street.”
Damascus fair encourages people to ‘buy Syrian’: “Syria’s entrepreneurs, suffering from crippling losses after four years of civil war, have launched a drive to encourage consumers hit by burgeoning inflation and a shortage of imports to “buy Syrian.”
Deir al-Zor Suffers Under Islamic State’s Harsh Rules on Aid: “Islamic State wants to keep us hungry,” she said. “It wants to break us by depriving us of our daily bread so that we don’t even think of rebelling. It’s exactly the same tactic used by the Assad regime.”
The ‘Slow Death’ Report: Why the U.N. Has Grossly Underestimated the Number of Syrians Living Under Siege: “In a report entitled “Slow Death”, the Syrian American Medical Society (SAMS) said 640,200 Syrians are currently living in at least 49 besieged communities across Syria, more than three times the U.N. estimate as of February 2015.”