Damascus, June 26 (SANA)Syrian Agriculture Minister Basel al-Suwaidan met on Friday with Egyptian businessman Naguib Sawiris to discussinvestmentopportunities in Syria’s agricultural sector and the incentives available to investors under the new investment law, the ministry said.

Al-Suwaidan stressed the importance of the agricultural sector as the backbone of the national economy, noting the multiple investment opportunities available and the accompanying exemptions and incentives for investors, according to a ministry statement.

He said the ministry is working to establish a holding company foragricultural investmentsthat would include all its productive and agricultural assets, allowing investors to enter as partners in managing and developing them, contributing to enhanced production and added value for the sector.

Al-Suwaidan reviewed the state of the agricultural sector and key products across Syria’s diverse environments, emphasizing their variety and quality. He also highlighted the importance of investing in sugar factories and expanding sugar beet cultivation using modern agricultural technologies.

Sawiris noted the sectors in which his companies operate, including agriculture, and emphasized the importance of investment opportunities available in Syria and the need to activate them and strengthen cooperation to serve the mutual interests of both countries, according to the statement.

Over the past two days, Sawiris held meetings with Minister of Public Works and Housing Mustafa Abdel Razzaq and DeputyMinister of Economy and IndustryBassel Abdel Hannan to discuss cooperation and investment opportunities across several sectors.

The Syrian government is working to enhance the investment environment and attract local, Arab and foreign capital, particularly in the agricultural sector, by offering incentives and facilitation under the new investment law as part of efforts to support production, achieve economic development and strengthenfood security. Sawiris, one of Egypt’s wealthiest businessmen with investments spanning technology, real estate and food industries, has previously expressed interest in investing in Syria’sreconstructionphase.