Recently, a consortium led by Qatar UCC Holdings has made a new move and has officially signed five consulting and design agreements, laying a solid foundation for the reconstruction of Damascus International Airport. UCC Holdings has announced in detail the partners and division of labor in its statement: Hesco Hammada Engineering Services is responsible for the design and reconstruction of Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, as well as the design of the new Terminal 3 and all related facilities; H'CCollective focuses on the architectural and interior design of the new Damascus airport hotel, striving to create a unique hotel space; Dahl Handasha will serve as the Project Management Office (PMO), responsible for overall on-site supervision, design review and approval, design and development supervision, progress verification, temporary payment, and other work to ensure project quality, safety, and timely delivery. His scope of work also includes research on upgrading the roads at the Damascus Airport; DG Jones&Partners is responsible for contract management, cost control, and quantity measurement of the project, ensuring the effective use of project funds; The joint venture between Elegancia Catering and Newrest Gulf will oversee the design and operation of the airport's central kitchen and in-flight catering facilities, ensuring a comfortable dining experience for passengers.

In the memorandum of understanding signed earlier, UCC Holdings has been explicitly designated as the main developer to promote the project through its investment department UCC franchise investment. At the same time, three Türkiye partners - Cengiz, Kalyon and TAV, as well as US based AssetsInvestmentsUSA, are also involved. The project will be implemented in a Build Operate Transfer (BOT) model and includes a five phase expansion plan for Damascus International Airport. After the expansion is completed, the annual throughput of the airport will be significantly increased to 31 million people. Not only that, the agreement also includes the construction of a 50 kilometer passage to the airport, as well as providing $250 million in financing for Syrian Airlines to purchase up to 10 Airbus A320 aircraft. Key words: the Belt and Road project, overseas project

The series of actions led by the Qatar consortium undoubtedly injected strong impetus into the reconstruction of Damascus International Airport. With the gradual implementation of various agreements and the steady progress of projects, this historic airport is expected to rise again with a brand new appearance. It will not only enhance Syria's air transportation capacity and promote local economic development, but also build a more convenient bridge for regional exchanges and cooperation.Editor/Cheng Liting