Damascus - Prime Minister Mohammad Naji Otri on Saturday laid the foundation stone for the Yasmeen Rotana Hotel in the Mezzeh area in Damascus.
The project is being carried out by Bena Properties company, a subsidiary of Cham Holding company. The hotel will have 6 conference halls, 3 restaurants, an executive lounge, a 600-seat banquet hall, 338 rooms, 35 businessmen rooms and suites, two VIP suites and a presidential suite.
In a statement to the press, Premier Otri underlined the importance of tourism sector and the care given to it by the government due to its active participation in the GDP, which is close to the participation of the petroleum sector.
In turn, Chairman of the Board of Cham Holding Nabil al-Kezbari reviewed the project and its sections, pointing out to the government's support of the private sector to participate in the process of construction and development in Syria.
For his part, Deputy Chairman of the Board of Cham Holding Rami Makhlouf said the hotel will be a new tourist landmark in Damascus that will provide the best tourist services, adding that the project will be completed within 24 months.
Premier Otri also inaugurated al-Hikma Hospital in the city of Qatana in Damascus Countryside. The private hospital has an area of 3300 square meters distributed over 7 floors containing 60 beds.
Otri pointed out to the importance of the private sector's participation in projects that provide health services to people.
In turn, Hospital Director Dr. Ismail al-Abdullah reviewed the various departments of the hospital, which include cardiac surgery, general surgery, neurosurgery, plastic surgery, pediatrics, oncology, pathology, dermatology, radiology, gynecology and optometry, among others.
The Prime Minister also reviewed progress in the Qatana National Hospital project, which will have a capacity of 100 beds and covers all medical specializations. The overall cost of the project is estimated at SP 263 million (USD 5.7 million).
He also inspected the progress of the Damascus Security Exchange project and the 8th Gate of Damascus project.
The 8th Gate of Damascus, located in al-Sabboura in Damascus Countryside, is an integrated city combining traditional Arab architecture with modern designs. It contains tourist and housing facilities, five-star hotels, shopping malls, business centers, restaurants, movie theaters and amusement parks.
By H. Sabbagh
© SANA (Syria Arab News Agency) 2010
