Syria not seeking IMF, World Bank loans: Interim finance minister
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Syrian finance minister says no IMF or World Bank loans planned, as Damascus focuses on financial reform and deeper economic ties with Russia.
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Syrian Finance Minister Mohammed Yisr Barnieh speaks at the Governor Talks conference during the World Bank/IMF Annual Meetings at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) headquarters in Washington, Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025. (AP)
Syrian Finance Minister Mohammed Yisr Barnieh stated on Wednesday that Syria does not plan to borrow money from the International Monetary Fund or the World Bank anytime soon.
On the sidelines of the annual meetings of the IMF and the World Bank in Washington, Barnieh told reporters, "We have no intention whatsoever to borrow [from the IMF or World Bank]."
The finance minister further said that Damascus is currently focusing on financial discipline, but he did not rule out the possibility of eventually borrowing funds from either of the international financial organizations.
"I'm not excluding borrowing down the road, but now we have no intention whatsoever. We want to make sure that our in-house in order. We might borrow only for strategic projects where private sector finds it not attractive," he stated.
Ahmad al-Sharaa, Syria's transitional president, recently stated in a CBS interview that the country's reconstruction could cost from $600 billion to $900 billion.
Syrian finance minister expresses hope in Syria-Russia relations
Syrian Finance Minister Mohammed Yisr Barnieh expressed confidence in an interview with RIA Novosti that relations between Damascus and Moscow will gradually improve. "It will take some time, but it will be gradually improved," Barnieh told reporters in Washington.
Syrian Minister of Finance Mohammed Yisr Barnieh told RIA Novosti that his country is interested in Russia's assistance for all sectors of its economy, and when asked to specify the areas for this aid, Barnieh said, "I think all economic sectors."
Earlier on Wednesday, Barnieh told RIA Novosti that Damascus is ready to provide Russia with huge opportunities in exchange for support in reconstruction efforts.
Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin reaffirmed that Moscow and Damascus share a long-standing partnership built over many decades, and, while speaking during talks with Syrian transitional president Ahmad al-Sharaa in Moscow, he highlighted the enduring and friendly nature of relations between the two countries.
