The Syrian economy has never been the same since enterprises were first nationalised in the early 1960s. Where once dynamism and competitiveness were the hallmarks of a freshly independent state, the Syrian economy was systematically assaulted by hard-line ideologues who wanted to emulate Soviet industrialisation. Today Syrians are lumbered with an economy which is failing.

The Movement for Justice and Development believes passionately that it is the people's right to expect sound economic management by their government. The Ba'th regime has palpably failed in that task and people are suffering as a result. The numbers of young people graduating from colleges and university and joining the armies of the unemployed is truly frightening.

We promise to enact deep economic reforms which are market-orientated and enterprise driven. We promise to establish an open and transparent economic system where investors are protected by law, and where companies compete on a level playing field undistorted by corruption. We are confident that by opening up to the world market, the ingenuity of the Syrian entrepreneur will shine through, and that Syria will benefit enormously.

Our commitment to the Syrian people is that we will put in place a market economy which will create jobs and increase the national wealth.