The business of war: Egypt, others eye reconstruction bids
Despite lingering security concerns, Egypt is seeking a substantial, lucrative role in rebuilding Syria and Iraq.
CAIRO — The Syrian regime has intensified its call for investors to help rebuild the country, and Egypt is answering. For five months, Syrian officials have met with Egyptian, Chinese, Indian, Russian and Omani investors. Iranian investors and European companies have also expressed interest.
It appears Egypt will be involved in rebuilding both Syria and Iraq. Habib al-Sadr, Iraq’s ambassador in Cairo, announced during his Sept. 2 interview with al-Wafd daily that Egypt will play a significant role in Iraq's recovery process. This followed a Sept. 1 announcement by Haidar al-Nuri, the commercial attache at the Iraqi Embassy in Cairo, of 76 investment opportunities for Egyptian businesses in Iraq.
Egypt had already made a pitch for its public and private sectors to participate in Syria's reconstruction. On Aug. 17, Syrian Deputy Prime Minister Walid Moallem received a delegation from the Federation of Egyptian Chambers of Commerce, headed by Chairman Ahmed al-Wakil. Moallem praised the relationship between Egypt and Syria in his interview with Syria’s state news agency, SANA. “There is a sincere desire to enhance bilateral relations between the two countries,” he said.
Though Egypt and Syria haven’t had any dispute under Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, diplomatic representation between the two countries has remained weak since Egypt withdrew its ambassador from Damascus in 2012 because of increasing violence. Egypt settled for having a charge d'affaires there. In response, Syria withdrew its ambassador from Cairo.
