Damascus, SANA- Syrian Finance Minister Mohammad Yusr Barnieh confirmed Wednesday that the World Bank Board of Directors’ approval of a $146 million grant to Syria to repair power lines represents the bank’s first project in Syria in nearly four decades.

The minister explained in a post on his LinkedIn page that “this grant is free of charge, not a loan” stressing the ministry’s commitment to fulfilling its responsibilities for further support.

He expressed hope this step would open greater doors for cooperation between Syria and the World Bank and other international financial institutions.

Barnieh thanked the bank team for their cooperation, as well as the officials in the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Energy, and Finance who worked to complete this grant arrangements.

Nisreen/Abdulrahim