The Middle East Association is delighted to be hosting H.E. Dr Sami Khiyami, Ambassador of Syria, for a VIP Lunch on 19 January 2010. 

H.E. Dr Sami Khiyami has been Syrian Ambassador to the UK since November 2004.  Prior to this he was a leading figure in the drive to promote IT implementation in the Syrian public and private sectors, co-ordinating large software projects for the Transport Directorate, Central Bank, Damascus University Administration, Popular Credit Bank, Agriculture Bank, Ministry of Tourism and others.  He is a co-founder of the Syrian Computer Society, and a board member of Spacetel (Syrian GSM operator) and Syrian Arab Airlines.

Syria is pressing ahead with its programme of economic restructuring, and is making great efforts to attract foreign direct investment. Reform of the banking and financial sectors is underway, and tourism is being developed. The Heritage Foundation reported this year that these reforms have enabled the Syrian private sector to contribute to the country’s steady economic growth. We look forward to hearing the Ambassador’s views on the regional political situation, the current economic and business scene, and priority areas for development.