Development Fund: Ready to Contribute to Syria's Reconstruction Efforts
The Governor of the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development confirmed the Fund's readiness to contribute to Syria's reconstruction in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the World Bank.
Translated by Qiyas from الراي — Original source
Rashid Al-Badr, Acting Director General of the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development, affirmed the Fund’s readiness to resume development cooperation with the Syrian Arab Republic, contributing to reconstruction efforts in solidarity with the Syrian people, in accordance with the directives of the State of Kuwait and in close coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
This was stated in a statement issued by the Fund on Wednesday, during Al-Badr’s participation in the Syria Reconstruction Partners Roundtable, organized by the World Bank on the sidelines of the 2026 Annual Meetings of the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund in Bangkok, the capital of Thailand.
Al-Badr said that over the past four decades, the Fund had provided 28 loans totaling more than 330 million dinars (approximately $1 billion), which helped finance vital projects in the energy, roads, telecommunications, irrigation, water, and sanitation sectors. He noted that the development cooperation between the Fund and Syria dates back to 1969.
He added that during the Syrian crisis years, the State of Kuwait, through the Fund, had provided grants exceeding $375 million to support those affected inside Syria and in neighboring host countries of refugees, in cooperation with United Nations agencies and humanitarian partners.
He mentioned that the Fund had recently held constructive discussions with relevant Syrian authorities regarding the resumption of institutional cooperation, including a proposal to form a joint technical, legal, and financial team to review previously funded projects, as well as to explore opportunities for cooperation in new development projects.
He clarified that potential areas of cooperation, according to priorities set by Syrian authorities, include rehabilitating energy sector infrastructure and developing water and sanitation networks, reconstructing roads and bridges, and supporting social infrastructure, including schools and health facilities, as well as providing technical assistance and building institutional capacity.
Al-Badr emphasized the Fund’s commitment to continuing work in close coordination with the World Bank Group, the International Monetary Fund, the United Nations, and partners in the Arab Coordination Group, to ensure that support is integrated and aligned with Syria’s reconstruction priorities and economic recovery.
He expressed the Development Fund’s willingness to receive further details regarding the Fund’s structure and governance mechanisms, noting that the proposal would be studied in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Al-Badr also expressed the Fund’s aspiration to enhance cooperation with Syrian authorities and international partners, supporting recovery and reconstruction efforts and contributing to achieving a stable and sustainable future for the brotherly Syrian people.
