The new management of the Syrian Petroleum Company is facing a wave of dissenting opinions following a series of recent appointments described by industry circles as a move to "recycle" expertise previously held by figures associated with the Syrian regime, at the expense of personnel aligned with the revolutionary movement.
These steps come after Youssef Qablawi assumed the position of CEO, initially enjoying broad technical and local support, before his recent decisions sparked controversy regarding the selection criteria.
The most controversial appointments include:
The changes affected vital departments within the company, most notably:
- The Foreign Relations portfolio: Talal al-Hallak was appointed to this role, amid reports indicating prior ties to economic circles affiliated with the regime.
- The Marketing Office: Hala Helmi was appointed to head it, raising concerns about past connections to officials in Damascus that could influence the sector's direction.
- The Media Office: This was assigned to Mohammed Karkoush, who previously held similar positions at the Ministry of Oil in Damascus.
Between "Technocrats" and "Political Exclusion"
The scene regarding these trends is divided into two interpretations:
- The administration's view: These steps are seen as utilizing "technocrats" with institutional expertise to ensure the continuity of the region's economic lifeline.
- The critics' view: Some see it as a policy of "deliberate exclusion" of the personnel who supported the path of change, and a marginalization of those who paid a heavy price in confronting the regime, in favor of figures who were part of its system.
These changes remain under the scrutiny of public opinion, given the strategic importance of the Syrian Petroleum Company as the most important financial and developmental resource in the region.
Zaman al-Wasl
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