This old and deep seated interest in Syria and Syrian affairs had its reasons. In the first place, Syria was famous for its raw materials, most importantly, its wood and timber that was in abundant supply in the woods of its northernmost regions. The Pasha, very conscious of the fact that Egypt lacked wood, took various measures to encourage the fellahin to plant trees. However, he was also aware that no matter how successful he was in this respect, the quality of wood grown in Egypt was not as good as that imported from abroad. He thus undertook to import wood from any place he could find it, be it from the Sudan, Cyprus, Greece, Anatolia, or Europe.

Builds on: "Syria was Mehmed Ali's most coveted province from early on."

Khaled Fahmy, All the Pasha_s Men_ Mehmed…, loc. 213