Russia wants to secure most contracts in Syria's reconstruction

DAMASCUS, (Patria) - A Russian business delegation arrived in Damascus on Monday for talks with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on major economic projects for investment in the reconstruction of the war-torn country. 

Russia, the Syrian government's biggest ally in the fight against rebel groups and ISIL, is seeking to secure the largest share of contracts for the country's reconstruction.

- Major Russian investment projects were discussed - the Syrian state news agency Sana quoted Assad as saying, referring to improved security in some parts of the country.

Such projects would focus on trade and energy, including the gas, phosphate, power, and petrochemical industries.

- Syria is a country of unlimited wealth. Russian companies have a moral right to develop major economic projects here - the RIA news agency quoted Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin as saying.

Rogozin led a delegation of heads of major Russian companies in the Syrian capital, Sana reported.

- Syrian authorities today want to work with Russia, and exclusively with Russia, on restoring the country's energy capacities - he said.

Rogozin stated that both countries are seeking to create a joint project for the exploitation of large phosphate reserves.

Moscow also plans to use Syrian ports to export Russian flour to Syria, Iraq, and neighboring countries.

The World Bank estimates war losses in Syria at $226 billion, almost four times the country's pre-war gross domestic product, AFP reported.