View Technical Program - Levant Desalination Association

AN OVERVIEW OF THE LEGAL FRAMEWORK FOR FOREIGN
INVESTMENT IN SYRIA
Anas Ghazi, Attorney at Law
Attorney at Law - Chairman – Meethak, Lawyers & Consultants - Syria
REF #IDA_DM2010-Ghazi
ABSTRACT
Among the Middle Eastern countries, Syria has keenly pursued in attracting
Foreign Investment (FI). In this respect it has constantly striven to maintain the
competitiveness of FI determinants, including the legal infrastructure. Various policy
instruments and institutions have been deployed. Today, due to water scarcity in
Syria, the foreign investment on water reuse becomes an essential economic need.
To counter this phenomenon the Government of Syria has enhanced the utility of
the existing determinants and is constantly considering new strategies to attract
FI. Accordingly, the FI legal framework has also been enhanced. This presentation
examines the legal aspects of FI in Syria on a broad basis and within the context, the
emerging legislative policy investment.
Currently, water in Syria is publicly owned, the state has almost absolute authority
as regards water resources management, and consequently the water investment in
Syria is based on a public-public partnership or private-public partnership contract.
The aim of the presentation is to clarify the legal conditions of water investment,
with a special focus on Arbitration which is the most common alternative dispute
resolution (ADR) strategy provided for contracts investment in Syria.
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Water Reuse and Desalination: Experience and Opportunity
TECHNICAL PROGRAM