A Historic Gathering in Damascus
While much of the world is focused on political upheaval, a unique event unfolded in Damascus: the SYNC 25 conference, marking the first independent tech conference in Syria in 50 years. Organized by Syrian-Americans from Silicon Valley, this two-day event aimed to rebuild the war-torn country's economy and tech infrastructure.
Bridging Silicon Valley and Syria
The conference featured workshops and discussions on artificial intelligence, data security, and other tech-related topics, aiming to connect Silicon Valley with Syria's emerging tech ecosystem. Bassel Ojjeh, co-founder and CEO of LigaData, expressed the desire to connect with entrepreneurs and industry leaders to exchange expertise and form strategic partnerships.
Job Creation Goals
The organizing group is ambitious, aspiring to create 25,000 new tech jobs in Syria's technology sector within the next five years. Attendees emphasized the need for improved internet infrastructure and employment opportunities to attract investors.
Political Context and Economic Challenges
The conference occurred amidst Syria’s transitional government actively seeking to rebuild diplomatic ties and garner support after the ousting of former President Bashar al-Assad. Despite Western sanctions being slowly lifted, the country continues to face challenges in attracting investments due to a lack of international trust.
Infrastructure Issues
Syria's tech landscape is hindered by outdated telecom infrastructure, slow internet, and a critical shortage of basic amenities. Nour Al-Khatib from MTN highlighted the importance of building trust with foreign investors to revitalize the economy.
A Resilient Workforce
Despite these challenges, Syria boasts a resilient pool of software engineers who manage to be productive under difficult conditions. Ojjeh noted that the conference could serve as a catalyst for further development in the tech sector, emphasizing the new authorities' eagerness for continued tech initiatives.
Image caption: A spacious event venue with attendees engaged in conversation during the SYNC 25 conference.
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