Damascus, Sept. 20 (SANA)Minister of Economy and IndustryNidal al-Shaarissued a decision Sunday reconstituting theSyrian-American Business Councilon the Syrian side, with the aim of strengthening cooperation between the two countries and supporting economic partnerships.

Under the decision, Issam Zuhair Ghreiwati was named chairman of the council, while Abdul Hamid Hisham al-Aqel and Mohammad Ali Sharaf were appointed vice chairmen. Hassan Daaboul was named secretary, Leila al-Samman treasurer and Iyad Beitinjane head of public relations.

The board also includes Majid Nazha, Ihsan Saeed al-Hafez, Basel Ajja and Imad al-Nin.

The decision established specialized economic sectors within the council, headed by Majd Abbar for telecommunications and technology, Tarek Dawara for energy, Kamal Haikal for shipping and logistics, Jihad Daaboul for industry and exports, and Louay al-Homsi for financial consulting.

Hanaa Saeed was named head of the banking and finance sector, Ghazwan Tarabishi for real estate and tourism, Farid Khoury for agricultural products, Fadi Haddad for media and marketing, and Abab Khalil for legal and security consulting.

The sectors will work in coordination with the board of directors. Their heads will monitor opportunities and challenges, propose initiatives and projects, prepare recommendations and proposals, and expand networks among businesspeople, companies and relevant professional bodies.

The decision provides for the formation of an advisory council comprising the heads of the specialized sectors, with each member’s position tied to their leadership of the sector they represent.

The advisory council will provide advice and recommendations to the board, help identify sectoral priorities, and propose initiatives, programs and opportunities for economic, trade and investment cooperation to support the development of relations between Syria and the United States.

The decision also named Samir Sabounji executive director for legal affairs at the Syrian-American Business Council.

The council will operate in accordance with the statutes governing Syria’s joint business councils with other countries, as well as their charter and procedural guidelines issued by the Syrian Council for the Coordination of Joint Business Councils.

The decision stated that the newly constituted council is the officially recognized body representing the Syrian side in relations with its U.S. counterpart, in accordance with procedures approved by the Ministry of Economy and Industry.

The Syrian Council for the Coordination of Joint Business Councils will oversee the council’s activities, coordinate with relevant bodies and ensure that its work and specialized sectors are aligned with Syria’s business council framework and national economic priorities.

The decision revoked the previous formation of the Syrian-American Business Council, established under Decision No. 855 of Nov. 20, 2025. The new formation will replace it from the date the decision takes effect.

Damascus hosted ministerial-level meetings last Monday organized by the International Cooperation and American Affairs departments at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates with a U.S. economic delegation to discuss investment opportunities and ways to strengthen economic partnerships between the two sides.