Syria’s economic reforms

About 77 per cent of Syria’s unemployed are under 25

Reforms have been a large part of Syrian President Bashar al Assad’s presidency since he came to power in 2000. He promised change, and emphasised economic rather than political reform. 

 

That change has begun to take shape over the past four years as the Syrian economy has started to open up, and for the first time in decades, foreign banks have set up branches in the country. 

 

But as the government now weighs cutting subsidies on food and oil that allow much of the population to afford basic living supplies, many Syrians are still waiting to see the benefits promised.
 
Many young Syrians had also hoped the changes would bring new job opportunities for them. As in much of the Arab world, unemployment in the country is over 10 per cent and in Syria, the majority of the unemployed are young people.
 

How have economic reforms changed the Syrian landscape? And are they creating new jobs and opportunities for young Syrians? 

 

Hashem Ahelbarra talks to economists and job-seekers in this special edition of Inside Story from Damascus.