Damascus, Aug.13 (SANA)Syria’s trajectory toward full economic openness is accelerating at an unprecedented pace. Backed by expanding Western, Arab, and international partnerships in energy, logistics, ports, and industrial technology, Syria is successfully overhauling its legislative framework, lifting capital restrictions, and integrating into the global financial system.

Capping off this economic revival, the 63rd DamascusInternational Fair—scheduled to run from August 26 through September 4, 2026—serves as the flagship platform uniting international investors, global corporations, and Syrian business leaders to turn high-level MOUs into actionable, on-the-ground projects.

The 63rd Damascus International Fair brings together over 1,000 domestic and global corporations representing approximately 60 countries across five continents, alongside more than 40 Syrian ministries, public agencies, and official institutions.

Moving far beyond a traditional product exposition, the 63rd edition is structured to directly facilitate foreign direct investment (FDI) and trade:

Dedicated business schedule: August 26–28 is strictly reserved for official state delegations, investors, and certified business leaders, featuring a high-level Ministerial Economic Panel and the“Road to the Damascus World Economic Forum”initiative. Public attendance opens on August 29.

B2B & B2G Hubs: Daily structured business-to-business and business-to-government matchings will directly connect international capital with Syrian line ministries.

Pro-investment legislation: Under decree No. 114 of 2025, foreign investors are now permitted 100% ownership of national projects, supported by streamlined single-window licensing, tax incentives, and robust dispute resolution mechanisms under the updated Investment Law.

Booming domestic enterprise: Driven by sweeping regulatory easing, Syria registered over 10,500 new companies and commercial registries in the first half of 2026 alone.

The fair comes as major international firms transition from preliminary agreements into full operational execution across Syria’s vital sectors:

Port logistics: France’s CMA CGM entered a 30-year terminal management and modernization agreement for Lattakia Port, focusing on infrastructure, equipment, berths, and operational systems.

Offshore energy: American firm ConocoPhillips, France’s TotalEnergies, and QatarEnergy signed a joint MOU with the Syrian Petroleum Company for offshore oil and gas exploration in Syrian territorial waters.

Agri-chemicals & mining: Saudi Arabia’s SAMI Rock partnered with the General Establishment for Geology and Mineral Resources to launch an industrial project utilizing oil shale for Di-Ammonium Phosphate (DAP) fertilizer production.

United States engagement: Following the complete lifting of US and European sanctions that previously restricted trade and banking, the inaugural Syrian-American Business Forum was held in Damascus on July 13, 2026. US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Jacob McGee affirmed that American enterprises are actively exploring Syrian investments, with Washington working alongside Damascus to facilitate full re-integration into global banking networks.

Gulf economic drive: Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar are expanding their commercial footprint. Beyond Saudi-Syrian energy and agricultural processing ties, the inaugural Syrian-Emirati Investment Forum launched a series of joint industrial and infrastructure ventures.

In its latest official assessment released on August 4, 2026, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) confirmed that the Syrian economy is experiencing a robust structural recovery. The IMF projects Syria’s GDP growth to exceed 10% in 2026, propelled by rebounds in agriculture, oil and gas production, stabilized power grids, expanding trade, the return of refugees, and growing tourism.

Speaking to SANA, Saudi economist and member of the Saudi Economic Association Abdullah Ahmed al-Maghlouth emphasized that global engagement with Syria has decisively pivoted from conflict management toward economic partnerships in energy, infrastructure, and trade transit:

“Syria possesses the strategic geography and core resources needed to thrive as a premier investment hub. As regulatory frameworks modernize and national stability deepens, international investor confidence will continue to surge.”

By pairing global participation with concrete legislative safeguards, the 63rd Damascus International Fair marks a transformative turning point—re-establishing Syria as a vibrant, indispensable economic hub in the Middle East.