Syrian deputy PM: Unjust economic sanctions cause of rising prices

Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, Minister of Internal Trade and Consumer Protection Qadri Jamil, asserted that the unjust economic sanctions imposed on Syria are the main cause of rising prices of supplies and food, along with lack of bank transfers and rising transport costs. In a seminar on economic policies held on Sunday, Jamil said that the government has taken many steps to alleviate the effects of the crisis on citizens, with many efforts being exerted with friendly countries to prevent foreign interference in Syria's internal affairs. He  stressed that resolving the economic crisis requires a comprehensive political solution and clear policies instead of urgent measures, and that the current stage requires exceptional steps on the basis of "war government and war economy." Jamil reviewed some of the steps taken by the government to reduce and control prices, noting that the government holds third of the responsibility for the current economic crisis, while the responsibility for the two remaining thirds are held equally by the security conditions and the economic sanctions. The Deputy Prime Minister stressed the need to curb corruption and help national media play its role in this regard, calling for rallying resources to support the Syrian Army. On the SYP to USD exchange rates, Jamil said the USD price will decrease if the government manages to provide all basic necessities for citizens and if it intervenes in every outlet, calling for preserving foreign currency reserves to allow the state to fund imports and provide them to citizens at a subsidized price. He said the Central Bank of Syria must focus on protecting the Syrian Pound and open credit line with friendly countries. Jamil noted that the economic crisis is part of a bigger crisis, and that it cannot be separated from the political and military developments, saying that Syria is in the eye of the storm which will for a new world order. "Syria, with its historic experience and its civilized and human depth, deserves to find a new economic model that suits the nature of its society and establishes new features for national economy," he pointed out, stressing the need to benefit from past crises and experiences. He also noted that blaming the economic crisis on specific persons and figures is part of the efforts to instigate and extend the crisis, criticizing some journalists who antagonize honest people to serve the interests of some sponsors and influential people.