Syria needs to introduce political and institutional reforms to attract foreign investments necessary for the economy to flourish, Asma, the wife of President Bashar Al Assad, said yesterday.
"Syria is shaping its business environment for today's global economy. This means major change at a sustainable pace, introducing the reforms necessary for a dynamic and prosperous enterprise economy," she told delegates attending a women's conference in Damascus.
Asma, a former financial analyst who grew up in London, said the conference provides "an important platform for the exchange of ideas and the debate of pressing issues affecting women all over the world".
The two-day Woman in Business International Forum opened yesterday and aims at activating the role of women in society. More than 2,000 delegates from over 40 countries, including the United States, are attending the meeting.
Asma said Syria stands at a crossroads on its own development path and faces "the complex but not insurmountable challenge of creating a sustainable and prosperous future for all its citizens".
She said the active participation of women in this process is imperative.
"It's only through partnerships that we can close the gaps which exist as barriers to much needed progress," she said.
Despite some progress already made, Asma said Syria needed more far-reaching political and institutional reforms.
