Damascus, Sept. 14 (SANA)U.S.officials and business leaders on Monday highlighted investment and private-sector partnerships as a key next step in expanding economic ties with Syria, as a large American business delegation held a series of ministerial meetings in Damascus.U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of StateJake McGeeencouraged American companies to enter the Syrian market, saying opportunities were opening across a broad range of sectors.

“We encourage U.S. businesses to invest in the Syrian market, which offers significant opportunities,” McGee said during a meeting with the visiting U.S. economic delegation.He said Syria’s needs were substantial across multiple sectors, while changes to laws and investment procedures had made the market more accessible to investors.McGee said several U.S. companies had already begun taking steps into Syria and signed agreements with Syrian counterparts, citing Chevron, HKN, Visa and Mastercard.“These steps are important after decades of limited economic engagement,” he said.He added that dialogue now taking place between U.S. and Syrian investors could move beyond initial contacts toward memoranda of understanding and eventually long-term partnerships.

First U.S. Chamber mission to Syria

The meetings coincide with the first U.S. Chamber of Commerce mission to Syria, bringing together representatives of 50 companies and more than 80 delegates from different sectors.Steve Lutes, vice president for Middle East Affairs at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, said the size of the delegation reflected growing business interest in the Syrian market.He said the visitors had seen firsthand efforts by Syria’s leadership, represented by President Ahmad al-Sharaa, to establish an environment focused on business and investment.

Lutes also linked the expansion of economic engagement to the broader improvement in U.S.-Syrian relations following Washington’s decision to remove broad sanctions on Syria.The United States ended its comprehensive sanctions program on Syria effective July 1, 2025, while retaining targeted sanctions on deposed regime figures and other designated actors.

Syria seeks investment-driven recovery

Syrian Investment Authority Director Ahmad Rawad Ramadan said the country was entering a new economic phase centered on greater openness and integration with the global economy.He said Syria wanted U.S. companies to play an active role in that process as the Investment Authority develops partnership models, incentives and services designed to make investment easier.

“Syria today is not merely a land of opportunities — it is creating them,” Ramadan said.He added that the delegation’s visit offered U.S. companies a chance not only to learn about Syria, but also to explore a market that was becoming increasingly relevant to major international firms.

Turning political progress into economic partnerships

Saad Baroud, director of the American Affairs Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, said the improvement in Syrian-U.S. relations had created room for economic recovery, investment and partnership-building.“Our task now is to translate political progress into economic progress, dialogue into partnerships, and opportunities into projects,” Baroud said.

He said Syria’s needs remained significant, but pointed to the country’s expertise, human capital and strategic geographic location as assets for investors.Baroud added that the Syrian government was working to update laws and simplify procedures while coordinating with U.S. counterparts at the State, Treasury and Commerce departments to address technical and procedural obstacles.[2026-09-14 11:56 AM] Ec Sana: The meetings, organized by the International Cooperation and American Affairs departments at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, are focused on turning renewed political engagement into trade, investment and longer-term cooperation between Syrian and U.S. businesses.