Asharq Al-Awsat has learned that the Saudi-Syrian Business Council is currently working on around three new pathways that are still being developed as part of an institutional framework aimed at facilitating the entry of Saudi companies into the Syrian market and paving the way for new sector-specific projects in the coming stages. Saudi-Syrian economic relations have developed since last year, following the arrival in Damascus of a high-level Saudi delegation led by then Investment Minister Khalid Al-Falih. The delegation included more than 130 businesspeople and investors, reflecting the scale of official and economic interest in strengthening trade and investment ties between the two countries. The visit saw the signing of more than 47 agreements and memorandums of understanding across 11 vital sectors, with total investments exceeding $6.4 billion. They covered real estate, infrastructure, telecommunications and information technology, industry, and other sectors. Coordination with the “Syrian Sovereign Fund” According to the information, a mechanism has been established to coordinate with the Syrian Investment Authority to form a joint team to study the development of land and sea logistics corridors. This would include facilitating direct access for exports and temporary admission procedures for equipment used to carry out projects. In parallel, the Federation of Saudi Chambers has opened a direct channel with the Syrian sovereign fund to follow up on investment opportunities available to the Saudi private sector and support communication with relevant authorities in the Syrian market. The council was established as Syria prepares for a new phase of reconstruction and development, creating opportunities for the Saudi private sector to participate in investment projects and various economic sectors, drawing on its financing and investment capabilities and its experience in project development. Since its establishment, the council has begun preparing an action plan for 2025-2030 aimed at strengthening sustainable economic cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Syria, highlighting investment opportunities, supporting strategic partnerships, and facilitating trade and logistics procedures for Saudi companies' exports. The plan focuses on enabling the Saudi private sector to benefit from reconstruction and development opportunities in Syria by supporting exports, simplifying procedures, and strengthening regulatory frameworks that provide a more favorable environment for investors. It focuses on sectors including infrastructure, trade and export development, real estate development, tourism, industry, and food security. New Investments In this context, Mohammed bin Abdullah Abu Nayyan, chairman of the Saudi-Syrian Business Council, said the council includes a number of senior Saudi officials and investors with international business activities, strengthening its ability to support trade and investment relations between the two countries and achieve its objectives. The Saudi-Syrian Business Council delegation visited the Syrian capital, Damascus, last August, with the participation of 180 Saudi businesspeople. It held joint meetings and more than 15 meetings with government officials, in addition to eight sector-focused meetings and workshops addressing investment opportunities, challenges, and areas of cooperation. During the visit, the delegation announced the “Sham View” project by Saudi real estate development and investment company Tharaa, with investments exceeding $1 billion. It also launched construction work on the Narcissus Damascus Hotel, owned by Saudi hotel and resort group Boudl.
