Wassim Al-Qattan

Wassim Anwar Al-Qattan (Arabic: وسيم أنور القطان; born March 4, 1976), also known as Wassim Qattan, is a Syrian businessman who holds several contracts with the Government of Syria to develop government-owned shopping malls and hotel properties in Damascus, Syria. He is President of the Rural Damascus Chamber of Commerce. He is reportedly close to Maher al-Assad, the brother of Syrian president Bashar al-Assad.

In February 2020, the European Union sanctioned Al-Qattan for providing material support to the Syrian government. In July 2020, the US Department of Treasury sanctioned Wassim Al-Qattan and entities associated with him for "providing material assistance in support of the Government of Syria." The Treasury alleged that Mr. al-Qattan has ties to regime figures and holds several contracts with the Syrian government to invest in and manage government-owned shopping malls and hotels in Damascus. Al-Qattan's reaction to the US Treasury sanctions was to celebrate on Facebook, describing them as a "third package of medals". He is also sanctioned by the UK Treasury.

Background

Wassim Al-Qattan is a Sunni from Damascus, Syria. Before 2011, he worked in an administrative position in Syriatel. In 2017, Al-Qattan was assigned the management contract of the Qassioum Shopping Mall, at an annual cost of SYB 1.2 billion. In 2018, the Syrian Ministry of Tourism awarded him a 45-year contract to develop prime real estate in Damascus, and management of the Massa Plaza mall.