Syrian-Emirati investment forum opens in Damascus as Emirati delegation arrives to explore economic ties
UAE delegation led by Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi and Omar Habtour Al-Durai arrived in Damascus to attend the Syrian-Emirati investment forum, seeking new bilateral investment opportunities.
Strong opening: delegation arrives to attend Syrian-Emirati investment forum
A high-level Emirati delegation arrived in Damascus on Sunday to participate in the Syrian-Emirati investment forum, aimed at strengthening economic and investment cooperation between the two countries. The delegation is headed by Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade, and Omar Habtour Al-Durai, chairman of the General Authority for Islamic Affairs, Awqaf and Zakat. Syrian officials received the visitors as the forum — billed as a platform for workshops and business meetings — prepares to open in the capital.
Emirati delegation lands in Damascus
The visiting party was formally welcomed at Damascus International Airport by senior Syrian ministers and officials, underscoring the diplomatic significance of the visit. Syrian Economy and Industry Minister Nidal al-Shaar, Minister of Awqaf Mohammad Abu al-Kheir Shukri, and Talal Hilali, head of the Syrian Investment Authority, were among those present for the reception. The presence of both economic and religious affairs representatives highlights the broad institutional interest in advancing bilateral engagement.
Forum set to open at Ebla Hotel with targeted workshops
Organizers confirmed the forum will open Monday at the Ebla Hotel in the Umayyads Hall, adjacent to the Damascus Conference Palace, and will feature a series of workshops and presentations. Sessions are designed to showcase investment opportunities across multiple sectors and to provide practical briefings for private-sector participants. Delegates from both countries are expected to engage in sector-specific roundtables and bilateral meetings to assess feasibility and next steps.
Syrian officials signal intent to expand investment ties
Syrian ministers attending the reception emphasized the forum’s role in attracting capital and technology to support reconstruction and economic recovery efforts. Officials from the Syrian Investment Authority are positioned to present current regulatory frameworks, project pipelines, and incentives available to foreign investors. Emirati representatives have signalled interest in exploratory talks that could lead to memoranda of understanding or sectoral agreements following the workshop outcomes.
Sectors highlighted for potential cooperation and partnership
The forum’s agenda points to a focus on developmental and productive sectors where both parties see mutual benefit, including manufacturing, infrastructure, agriculture, and services. Delegates will examine projects that offer employment generation and supply-chain linkages, and that can be implemented in partnership with local Syrian firms. Organizers say the workshops will enable investors to evaluate on-the-ground conditions and identify pilot projects suited to public-private collaboration.
Expectations for concrete steps and follow-up mechanisms
Officials on both sides have indicated that the forum is intended to move beyond discussion toward concrete actions, including technical working groups and follow-up visits by sector teams. Business delegations will be able to request detailed data, propose joint feasibility studies, and negotiate preliminary commitments during bilateral sessions. Observers expect the event to set timelines for next-phase assessments rather than immediate large-scale contract signing.
Final paragraph
The Syrian-Emirati investment forum brings a focused diplomatic and business effort to Damascus, combining ministerial-level engagement with private-sector workshops to explore practical investment pathways. With a structured programme at the Ebla Hotel and high-level delegations on both sides, the forum seeks to convert dialogue into targeted projects that advance economic cooperation and mutual commercial interests.
