Damascus, June 1 (SANA) Syria’s first National Private Sector Dialogue Conference opened in Damascus on Monday, bringing together government officials, business representatives and international partners to discuss economic recovery priorities and the role of private investment in the country’s future development.
The conference, titled “Syrian Private Sector Dialogue 2026,” is organized by the Ministry of Economy and Industry in cooperation with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Syria and in partnership with the Government of Japan.
Participants are expected to examine challenges facing businesses in Syria, including operational and regulatory obstacles, while discussing measures aimed at encouraging investment, improving the business environment and strengthening cooperation between the public and private sectors.
Speaking at the opening session, Minister of Economy and Industry Mohammad Nidal al-Shaar said Syria is entering a historic phase in which investors and economists are closely watching the economic model adopted by the country’s new state in the post-liberation period.
Al-Shaar said the conference was intended to help shape a shared vision for Syria’s economic future rather than simply review investment opportunities. He said Syria was seeking to build a competitive, productive and sustainable economy capable of integrating into regional and international value chains while benefiting from successful international development experiences and adapting them to local conditions.
The minister stressed that adopting a market-oriented economy does not mean the absence of the state’s role, arguing that successful economic models are based on a balance between private-sector initiative and strategic government planning.
Al-Shaar said debates over economic reform should not be reduced to a choice between public ownership and privatization. He argued that the key issue is the ability of assets to generate economic value, support growth, create jobs and contribute to sustainable development.
“The true value of public assets lies not in their sale price, but in their capacity to generate lasting value for the national economy,” he said.
He also stressed that partnership with the private sector does not mean transferring state responsibilities to investors, warning that excessive dependence on imports could create long-term strategic risks. Governments, he said, must safeguard economic, food and productive security while creating an attractive environment for investment.
Al-Shaar highlighted the importance of strengthening governance, modernizing legislation and building institutions capable of responding to economic transformation. He described governance as a shift from a culture centered on individuals to one based on institutions, rules and the rule of law.
The minister also underscored the importance of women’s economic empowerment, saying broader participation by women in small and medium-sized enterprises and productive sectors is essential to achieving more inclusive and sustainable growth.
Looking ahead, al-Shaar said Syria aims to develop smart industrial cities, integrated logistics zones and technology and innovation hubs that can serve as centers for manufacturing, knowledge transfer and industrial development linked to regional and global markets.
He also described consumer protection as both a professional and ethical responsibility, saying the success of investment depends in part on consumer confidence and satisfaction.
Al-Shaar said the government is working to strengthen monetary stability through inflation control, banking-sector reform, modernization of payment systems and greater transparency, with the aim of preserving purchasing power, improving market confidence and supporting long-term economic growth.
N.J/ABD
