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 held several contracts with the Ba'athist Government of Syria to develop government-owned shopping malls and hotel properties in Damascus, Syria. He was President of the Rif Dimashq Chamber of Commerce.^[1][2] He was reportedly close to Maher al-Assad, the brother of former Syrian president Bashar al-Assad.^[3]

Wassim al-Qattan
وسيم القطان
Born	(1976-03-04) March 4, 1976 (age 49)
Nationality	Syrian
Occupation	Businessperson
Known for	Muruj Cham Investment and Tourism Group, Adam Trading and Investment LLC

In February 2020, the European Union sanctioned al-Qattan for providing material support to the Ba'athist 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 al-Qattan had ties to regime figures and held several contracts with the Syrian government to invest in and manage government-owned shopping malls and hotels in Damascus.^[4] Al-Qattan's reaction to the US Treasury sanctions was to celebrate on Facebook, describing them as a "third package of medals".^[5] He is also sanctioned by the UK Treasury.^[1]

Background

Wassim al-Qattan is a Sunni from Damascus, Syria. Before 2011, he worked in an administrative position in Syriatel.^[3] In 2017, Al-Qattan was assigned the management contract of the Qassioum Shopping Mall, at an annual cost of SYB 1.2 billion.^[6] 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.^[7]