Syria talks energy with Turkey in bid to end rolling blackouts, agrees deal with China firm

Syria's government hosted Turkish Minister of Energy Alparslan Bayraktar at the People's Palace in Damascus on Friday for discussions on energy and water cooperation, amid a utilities crisis in Syria.

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa and Syrian Energy Minister Mohammad al-Bashir held talks with the Turkish delegation, according to the Syrian Presidency's Facebook page.

The meeting followed "the signing of a joint cooperation agreement between the Turkish minister and the Syrian side aimed at developing the partnership between the two countries in these vital sectors", he said.

Turkey on Thursday agreed to provide 2 billion cubic metres of natural gas to Syria annually, which could provide the country with 24 hours of electricity a day amid rolling blackouts in the country.

The energy crisis has hampered business and civilian life in Syria, with homes, restaurants, and shops hit by frequent blackouts.

Syria's General Authority for Land and Sea Ports, meanwhile, signed a memorandum of understanding with Chinese firm Fidi Contracting, granting them the right to invest in the entire free zone in Hasiya and the Homs countryside.

According to the authority, the deal will see the establishment of an industrial zone containing specialised factories and production facilities.

The Chinese company will also be allowed to invest in 300,000 square metres in the Adra Free Zone of the Damascus countryside. 

The 20-year agreement will see Fidi carrying out the projects in phases and according to a fixed timetable.

The General Authority for Land and Sea Ports hailed the agreement as being "the move is part of its policy to revitalise free zones in Syria and attract foreign capital, particularly from friendly countries, which will contribute to job creation, technology transfer, and increased trade volume through land and sea ports".

Wednesday's agreement between Damascus and the Chinese firm follows a series of discussions between Syrian and Chinese officials on economic cooperation.

Syria, which is undergoing a transitional period after overthrowing long-time President Bashar al-Assad in December, is looking to attract foreign investment to boost its ravaged economy.

In recent weeks, US President Donald Trump has pledged to remove sanctions on Syria, while the European Union approved plans to scrap broad economic penalties that targeted Syria.

Syria's economic stability is seen as a key element in ensuring stability in the country, which has been fractured by over a decade of war and sectarian strife.