The Syrian government is focusing on new investment in its economy. It is also doing institutional outreach to countries such as Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan, and Azerbaijan in the wake of its attendance at the Munich Security Conference.
In recent months, Syria has been receiving a number of investments from oil and energy deals, and there is talk of investment in train lines and airports.
The latest developments include outreach by the Syrian Education Ministry, which signed a trilateral strategic partnership with Azerbaijan’s Science and Education Ministry, according to the Syrian state media site Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA).
The new agreement was signed by “Syrian Minister of Education Mohammad Abdul Rahman Turko, Azerbaijani Minister of Science and Education Emin Amrullayev, and ICESCO [the 53-member-states Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization] Director General Salim bin Mohammed al-Malik,” according to the report, which detailed that “under the agreement, valid until December 31, 2030, 100 schools will be rehabilitated and 10 new schools built to modern standards, with a $30 million budget, funded by Azerbaijan and implemented by ICESCO in coordination with Syrian authorities.”
Syria's General Authority of Civil Aviation talks with Saudi Arabia
In another development, Syria’s General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) held talks with Saudi Arabia’s Saudi Ground Services (SGS) on a potential cooperation to develop ground handling services at Syrian airports, SANA said.
“Authority Chief Omar al-Hosari met with an SGS delegation led by CEO Mohammed Bin Abdulkarim Mazi to explore opportunities for technical and operational collaboration. The discussions focused on upgrading operational efficiency and aligning airport services with international standards,” the report said.
The discussions focused on basic airport needs, such as “passenger processing, baggage handling, load control, and ramp operations. The [GACA] Authority said the talks formed part of broader efforts to modernize airport infrastructure and strengthen cooperation with regional service providers.”
SGS operates 28 airports in Saudi Arabia, the report noted.
In addition, Damascus is seeking to expand its relations with countries in Central Asia. Many countries in the region see Central Asia as a land of opportunity. This has included Iranian outreach to the same region. A report at SANA said that “Syria is seeking to expand economic ties with Uzbekistan in a move aimed at opening Central Asian markets to Syrian exports and attracting investment in key sectors as part of efforts to support the country’s economic recovery.”
A Syrian delegation traveled to Uzbekistan recently to hold talks about trade in Tashkent.
It’s worth noting that Central Asian countries also have close ties to the China-backed Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), as well as to countries involved in the intergovernmental BRICS [a geopolitical Western-institutions-counterweight] and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), which is a Russia-led economic bloc.
“Louay al-Ashqar, a board member of the Damascus Chamber of Commerce, said Uzbekistan – one of Central Asia’s growing economies – could serve as a strategic partner as Syria works to diversify its external trade relations,” SANA noted.
“He said discussions focused on increasing Syrian exports, particularly agricultural products, food items, textiles, and pharmaceuticals, while also encouraging investment in productive sectors to support domestic manufacturing and job creation,” the media outlet said.
Lastly, Damascus held talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) with the goal of looking at re-engaging with the fund. Syrian Investment Authority (SIA) Chairman Talal al-Hilali led Syria’s talks with the IMF.
“According to the Authority [SIA], the meeting addressed the importance of regular IMF missions and technical assistance programs, particularly in public financial management, monetary policy frameworks, and statistical systems, aimed at supporting economic reform and institutional capacity-building,” SANA noted.