Memorandum of Understanding to Establish a Media Production City in Syria

The Syrian Ministry of Information signed a memorandum of understanding with the Qatari company Al Maha International to establish a media production city. The project, valued at more than $1.5 billion, aims to strengthen the media industry and support the country's economy after years of conflict.

Media City Agreement Ceremony The signing ceremony took place at the People's Palace in Damascus, attended by interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa and a number of ministers, officials, and artists. The agreement comes amid the new government's efforts to launch economic recovery and reconstruction efforts following the ouster of ousted President Bashar al-Assad in December.

Minister of Information Hamza al-Mustafa said during a speech at the People's Palace that the project "constitutes the first integrated media, film, and tourism production city in Syria." He explained that it will be built on an area of approximately two million square meters, and will include outdoor studios that emulate the Arab and Islamic style, as well as indoor studios equipped with the latest technology.

The project cost exceeds one billion dollars. The minister added that the project's cost is no less than $1.5 billion, and that it is expected to provide "more than 4,000 direct job opportunities and 9,000 seasonal ones," explaining that "Damascus Gate will help Syrian drama achieve a qualitative leap... and we aspire to produce 25 works this year to prove that the new Syria will be a fertile ground for creativity."

For his part, Chairman of Al Maha International, Mohammed Al-Anzi, said, "I am honored to share with you this historic event in the journey of building a new Syria." He called on investors from the Gulf and other countries to seize opportunities in Syria, "where significant facilities are available." He explained that the project would require between five and seven years to fully complete.

The new authorities hope to attract investment in various sectors, especially after the United States and the European Union announced in May the lifting of years-long sanctions on Syria.

Qatar is the most prominent supporter of the new Syrian administration, and along with Saudi Arabia, it has settled Syria's debts to the World Bank, amounting to approximately $15 million.