Damascus, Sep.20 (SANA) Economic relations between Syria and the Gulf states are no longer measured solely by the scale of investments or the value of agreements. They are increasingly linked to Syria’s position within regional trade, energy and supply networks and to the opportunities that stability in the country could create for the region.
President Ahmad al-Sharaa, speaking at the Arab Media Summit in Dubai on Wednesday, Sept. 15, said Syria had shifted from an area of conflict to one of stability and was increasingly being discussed as a secure trade corridor for supply chains linking East and West, as well as a potential route for energy supplies.
President Al-Sharaa described Syria’s stability as a “shared interest” for the region and said the country offered significant opportunities for Gulf states, neighboring countries and Europe.
That shift is broadening Syrian-Gulf economic relations beyond investment in reconstruction toward a wider convergence of economic interests. Syria needs capital, markets, transport networks and financing, while rebuilding its economy could offer Gulf companies opportunities in infrastructure, energy, transportation, industry and services.
Saudi Arabia: From investment to connecting markets
Saudi Arabia has emerged at the forefront of this trend, with cooperation moving from investment agreements toward projects directly linked to trade flows and regional connectivity.
At the Syrian-Saudi Investment Forum in July 2025, the two sides signed 47 agreements and memorandums of understanding worth more than $6.4 billion across 11 sectors, reflecting the expanding scope of economic cooperation.
Cooperation expanded further this year in aviation, communications and infrastructure. During a Saudi delegation’s visit to Damascus on Aug. 27, Syria and Saudi Arabia signed four memorandums of understanding covering roads, railways, postal services and aviation, while discussing improvements to logistics, transportation and trade.
Mohammad Ali al-Bishi, editor-in-chief of Saudi newspaper al-Eqtisadiah, told SANA that the shift in economic relations between Syria and Gulf states toward concrete investments and agreements being implemented on the ground underscores Syria’s importance to the region and to trade.
He identified energy, trade, transportation, logistics, real estate and construction as sectors offering investment opportunities for Gulf investors.
The significance of these agreements extends beyond the transportation sector itself. Improving roads, railways and border crossings and linking them with regional transportation networks could increase trade flows through Syria and give Saudi companies access to new markets, while Syria could benefit from greater transportation and commercial activity.
Saudi market: The other side of the relationship
Investment and trade do not flow in only one direction. The Saudi market has itself become an important gateway for Syrian products.
That was reflected at the “Syrex Jeddah 2026” Syrian Industries Exhibition, which brought together more than 150 Syrian companies and factories from the food, textile, engineering and chemical industries in an effort to expand the presence of Syrian products in the Saudi market and establish new channels for trade and investment cooperation.
UAE: Ports as a gateway to integration
In the United Arab Emirates, ports, logistics and trade have emerged as key areas of economic cooperation.
President al-Sharaa said on Sept. 15 that the UAE was among the first countries to seize opportunities in Syria, pointing to “Dubai ports” in the Port of Tartous and the significance of linking that route with Jebel Ali Port.
Syria’s geographical position gives such projects broader significance. Developing ports, free zones and logistics services could connect Syrian trade with wider networks stretching from the Gulf to the Mediterranean and facilitate the movement of goods among regional markets.
Syrian-Emirati cooperation extends beyond ports. On June 25, the two countries discussed establishing a logistics corridor linking Syrian ports with Gulf states through Iraq and the port of Umm Qasr. They also discussed connecting Syrian and Emirati ports and establishing a joint overland freight route for trucks to support trade and logistics integration.
From the Gulf to Europe and Asia
Saudi Transport and Logistics Services Minister Saleh al-Jasser highlighted the importance of regional connectivity during a visit to Damascus, saying it could support trade and the movement of people. He also pointed to strong interest among Saudi private-sector companies in investing in Syria.
“Asharq Bloomberg” reported on Aug. 25 that a joint Saudi-Syrian-French business council had been established to expand investment in Syria and support its economic recovery, citing a joint statement issued at the conclusion of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s visit to France.
The report said the initiative was part of efforts to develop alternative routes connecting Europe with the Gulf and Asia through Syria. France, it said, had expressed readiness to contribute to reconstruction and expand cooperation with Damascus.
Gulf ties expand across a wider network
Economic relations are not limited to Riyadh and Abu Dhabi, with Syria expanding cooperation with other Gulf states.
In Qatar, a new investment partnership was launched in September with businessmen and investors from both countries, alongside discussions on expanding economic and investment cooperation.
Syria and Kuwait agreed in July to establish a joint higher coordination committee and reactivate joint committees. The two sides also discussed establishing a Syrian-Kuwaiti business council and strengthening cooperation between chambers of commerce and business councils.
Cooperation has extended to Bahrain, where the Federation of Syrian Chambers of Commerce discussed opportunities in banking, food and textile industries, exhibitions, digital transformation, reconstruction and cement production.
These developments reflect the widening scope of Gulf economic interests in Syria, alongside efforts to increase Syrian access to Gulf markets and develop export channels and private-sector partnerships.
Exhibitions: From showcasing products to building markets
Trade exhibitions and business councils in 2026 have provided another channel for direct engagement between companies.
Saudi Arabia participated in the 63rd Damascus International Fair with about 50 companies. The Fair brought together around 1,000 companies and other entities from 60 countries and provided a platform for business and investment meetings.
In the other direction, Syrian participation in Syrex Jeddah 2026 gave Syrian companies and products direct access to the Saudi market, reflecting a broader shift from government-level agreements toward direct links between businesses and markets.
Al-Bishi said the return of Syrian exports to Saudi Arabia and other Gulf markets, including textile, agricultural and manufactured products, could contribute to Syrian economic growth and help establish new partnerships with regional businesspeople.
He said economic partnerships between Syria and Gulf states could produce mutual benefits in the coming period.
The emerging relationship between Syria and the Gulf is increasingly centered on mutual economic interests, bringing together Syria’s reconstruction opportunities and geographic position with Gulf capital, expertise and commercial networks, while creating wider scope for investment, trade and transportation across regional markets.
A/Dh – Mazen
