Syria Launches $2 Billion Digital Transformation Plan to Build Smart Cities

Syria's Ministry of Communications and Technology launched a comprehensive $2 billion Digital Transformation Plan on Thursday, aiming to transform Damascus, Aleppo, and Latakia into smart cities by 2030.

The plan includes deployment of 5G networks across all major cities, establishment of a national data center, digitization of all government services, and creation of a thriving tech startup ecosystem.

Minister of Communications Bassam Al-Sabbagh said the plan would create 100,000 jobs in the technology sector and attract major international tech companies to establish regional headquarters in Syria. Google, Microsoft, and Amazon Web Services have already expressed interest in the Syrian market.

The plan also includes a digital literacy program to train 500,000 Syrians in technology skills over the next three years.