The Role of Geology in the Reconstruction Phase

Damascus – The Third Geological Survey of Syria, organized by the General Organization of Geology and Mineral Resources in cooperation with the Syrian Geological Society, entitled “The role of geology in the reconstruction phase” started here on Monday with the participation of a group of researchers and specialists from the sectors of geology, mineral resources, water, housing and construction.

The three-day conference aims at exchanging views and ideas, benefiting from experiences, presenting expertise and learning about scientific developments in the field of geology and mineral resources, presenting suggestions and solutions for mechanisms of investing national wealth, discussing incentives for investment in the mineral wealth sector and highlighting the role of the sector in supporting the national economy.

The conference will discuss about 52 working papers on the future prospects of oil and gas geology, water needs in the reconstruction phase, the strategy of using raw materials and modern applications to explore mineral resources, investment and use of raw materials for building materials in addition to the assessment of seismic, natural and environmental risks and environmental impact assessment studies.

The Minister of Oil and Mineral Resources, Ali Ghanem, said that the Syrian geologists have completed studies and research established the rules of construction and investment, which led to the raising of the reserve explorer, stressing the importance of the conference come out with recommendations and proposals contribute to the substitution of new materials to reduce imports and achieve added value for the investment of national raw materials and establish a new industrial base to achieve sustainable development.

In a statement to reporters, Ghanem pointed out that the recommendations of the conference will be put in the hands of those involved in the construction and industry sectors, which will contribute to the optimal investment of materials and raw materials especially in the next phase. He pointed out that there are many investment opportunities in coordination with the Investment Association.

In turn, the Director-General of the General Organization of Geology and Mineral Resources, Chairman of the Geological Conference, Samir Al-Assad, stressed that the current economic conditions have resulted in the sector of geology and mineral resources additional challenges especially in terms of reconstruction, while the head of the Union of Arab Geologists, Sakhr al -Nsour, noted that Syria adopted the policy of self-reliance and it is self- sufficient in natural and human resources.

In a speech by participants from friendly countries, Nayef Abu Zeina, said that the conference is a platform for gathering of experts and specialists to support the oil sector and discuss investment opportunities as Syria enters the reconstruction phase, referring to the contracts signed with a number of friendly countries aimed at investing and supporting the economy.

Islam Al-Shennawi from Egypt emphasized on the cooperation of the Arab countries, especially Egypt, with Syria in the field of agrarian reform and phosphate industries, pointing out the importance of standing by the geologists to invest wealth.

For his part, member of the Board of Directors of the Syrian Geological Society, Dr. Abdul Majeed Al-Kafri, pointed to the role of Syrian geologists in the completion of vital projects and strategic huge projects such as irrigation, dams, land reclamation, extraction and industry of oil and gas and mineral wealth, non-mineralization and housing projects and infrastructure.

The conference was attended by Minister of Agriculture and Agrarian Reform, Eng. Ahmad Al-Qadri, Governor of Damascus countryside, Eng. Alaa Ibrahim, a number of heads and representatives of a number of diplomatic missions accredited in Damascus, representatives of chambers of commerce and industry and exporters federation in Syria.

Sh. Kh.