UAE-Syria Business Council Reconstituted to Boost Trade and Investment
UAE-Syria Business Council reformed as ministers agree to deepen trade and investment ties, naming Emirati members and targeting food security, logistics, industry, energy and digital sectors.
Dr. Thani Al Zeyoudi and his Syrian counterpart announced the reconstitution of the UAE-Syria Business Council, signaling a coordinated effort to revive and expand bilateral trade and investment ties. The move, agreed during ministerial talks, names Emirati representatives to the council and establishes a joint platform to drive private-sector partnerships. The UAE-Syria Business Council will focus on priority sectors including food security, logistics, industry, energy and technology to align commercial activity with broader economic goals.
Ministers agree to reconstitute UAE-Syria Business Council
Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade, met with Dr. Mohammad Nidal al-Shaar, Syria’s Minister of Economy and Industry, to discuss measures to elevate commercial relations between the two countries. Both ministers endorsed a joint plan to reform and reactivate the UAE-Syria Business Council as a central mechanism for private-sector engagement.
The ministers framed the council’s reconstitution as a practical step toward restoring trade channels and creating a predictable environment for investors. They said the council will act as a bridge between business communities, facilitating deals and identifying projects that serve mutual developmental objectives.
Council to develop a roadmap for expanded cooperation
Officials said the reconstituted UAE-Syria Business Council will draft a clear roadmap to guide bilateral trade and investment initiatives. The roadmap is expected to set short- and medium-term priorities, outline regulatory and facilitation steps, and propose concrete projects for joint investment.
The council will prioritize measures to ease business contacts, promote direct investment, and enable public-private partnerships. Members will be tasked with translating ministerial directives into actionable programs that stimulate trade flows and joint ventures.
Emirati members named to lead private-sector engagement
The UAE side appointed a leadership team to represent Emirati business interests on the council, headed by Issa Abdulla Al Ghurair as chair and Yehya bin Saeed Louta as vice-chair. A cross-section of business leaders and investors from finance, logistics, agriculture, industry and technology will serve on the council to provide sectoral expertise.
Ahmed Jame’ al-Qeizi will serve as assistant secretary-general and act as the board secretary for the council, according to officials. The selection of experienced private-sector figures signals the UAE’s intent to channel practical investment capacity into joint initiatives with Syria.
Priority sectors include food security, logistics, industry and technology
Both sides highlighted food security and agricultural investment among the council’s top priorities, reflecting heightened regional interest in resilient supply chains. Logistics and infrastructure projects were identified as essential to positioning Syria as a gateway to the Mediterranean and wider export markets.
Officials also noted opportunities in energy, industrial rehabilitation, manufacturing and digital transformation. Financial services and fintech collaboration were mentioned as potential enablers of smoother cross-border transactions and investment flows between the two countries.
Syria’s geographic role and regional connectivity underlined
UAE ministers emphasized Syria’s strategic location and its potential to serve as a regional logistics and trade hub. They argued that targeted projects could strengthen Syria’s connectivity to the Mediterranean and open new corridors for UAE goods and investments.
The ministries indicated that joint projects would not only support Syrian integration into regional trade networks but also provide Emirati investors with access to new markets. Officials stressed that practical investments in ports, transport and logistics would be central to realizing these ambitions.
Institutional support and business-to-business engagement to follow
Hamid Mohammed bin Salem, Secretary-General of the UAE Chambers of Commerce and Industry, described the naming of Emirati council members as a significant step toward institutionalising business cooperation. He said activating the council will enhance direct communication between entrepreneurs and investors in both countries.
The council is expected to convene stakeholders from government and the private sector to explore specific partnerships and pilot projects. Authorities indicated follow-up meetings and working groups will be formed to expedite investments and to monitor implementation of the council’s roadmap.
The reconstitution of the UAE-Syria Business Council marks a deliberate push by both governments to rebuild trade ties and channel private-sector resources into shared development priorities, with an emphasis on pragmatic projects that can deliver measurable economic benefits.