VOL. XLIV

No. 03

15-January-2001

SYRIA

Syria Releases Early 2001 Budget

The Syrian government on 6 December approved a S322bn ($7bn) FY2001 balanced budget which contains a 16.9% rise in spending over the previous year and aims to create 65,939 jobs during the year. After approving three consecutive budgets in the past 10 months (for additional information on the previous two budgets see MEES, 24 April and 26 June 2000), the early 2001 budget release underscores President Bashar al-Asads...