Financial grant from Qatar to revive the Syrian economy and enhance salaries.

In a remarkable step that may bring about a relative breakthrough in the Syrian economic scene, Finance Minister Dr. Mohammad Yusr Bernia announced that Syria has received a Qatari grant of $29 million monthly for three months, extendable, to be allocated to pay part of the salaries and wages of workers in vital sectors such as health, education, social affairs, in addition to civilian retirees. The minister expressed deep gratitude to the Qatari government for this initiative, describing it as generous, confirming that it is being managed in coordination with the United Nations Development Program, giving it legitimacy and transparency. He also praised the quick response of the U.S. Treasury Department, which exempted this grant from imposed sanctions, considering it an encouraging step that could pave the way for further measures to alleviate the economic blockade on the country. According to Bernia, the grant covers about five monthly wage bills and is part of a reformative context through which the government seeks to enhance trust and integrity in the financial system. However, he did not overlook the challenges, indicating that despite its importance, this step requires accompanying structural reforms to ensure sustainability. On the other hand, Dr. Abdul Rahman Mohammed, Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Economics at Hama University, viewed this Qatari support as having political and economic dimensions beyond mere salary funding, considering it part of a regional and international coordination to contain crises and achieve partial stability in Syria by improving living conditions and reducing popular discontent. According to his analysis, the expected 400% increase in salaries could positively impact purchasing power and stimulate commercial activity, especially in essential sectors such as food, medicine, and fuel. Some local industries may benefit from increased consumption, provided there is suitable infrastructure, but sharp inflation and the depreciation of the local currency will limit the positive effects and keep the impact of the increase limited. He pointed out that increased spending may affect the private sector and activate the informal market, but on the other hand, it exposes the weakness of the public sector and its inability to meet needs. He also warned that increased reliance on imports may benefit neighboring economies more than it serves the Syrian economy. He concluded that this grant represents an opportunity, but its success is linked to the government's ability to employ it within a comprehensive plan that includes supporting local production, regulating the distribution of goods, and combating inflation. A sudden increase in liquidity without boosting production could turn temporary gains into a consumption bubble that multiplies burdens. In short, the Qatari grant opens a small window of hope in the face of accumulated crises, but without serious reform steps, it may turn into a missed opportunity in the record of the exhausted Syrian economy.