Damascus, Sept. 14 (SANA) U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of StateJake McGee on Monday encouraged American companies to invest in Syria, saying the country offers significant opportunities across a wide range of sectors.
“We encourage U.S. businesses to invest in the Syrian market, which offers significant opportunities,” McGee said during a ministerial meeting with a visiting U.S. economic delegation in Damascus.
He said Syria’s needs were substantial across multiple sectors and noted that the Syrian government had amended investment laws and opened the market more widely to investors.
Several U.S. companies have already begun entering the Syrian market and signing agreements with Syrian counterparts, McGee said, citing Chevron, HKN, Visa and Mastercard.
“These steps are important after decades of limited economic engagement,” he said.
McGee added that contacts now being established between American and Syrian investors could lay the groundwork for memoranda of understanding and eventually long-term partnerships.
“The relationships being built today through dialogue between U.S. and Syrian investors could pave the way for memoranda of understanding that develop into long-term partnerships,” he said.
His remarks came as a U.S. Chamber of Commerce delegation comprising representatives of 50 companies and more than 80 participants from a range of sectors held a series of meetings with Syrian officials in Damascus.
The meetings are being organized by the International Cooperation and American Affairs departments at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates and are scheduled to continue throughout the day.
Steve Lutes, vice president for Middle East Affairs at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, said the visit marked the Chamber’s first mission to Syria.
“This is the first U.S. Chamber of Commerce mission to visit Syria, and it includes 50 companies and more than 80 delegates from various sectors,” Lutes said.
He said the delegation had seen firsthand the determination of Syria’s leadership, represented by President Ahmad al-Sharaa, to create a business-focused environment that supports and welcomes investment.
Lutes also said the visit reflected renewed momentum in U.S.-Syrian relations following U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to lift broad sanctions on Syria.
The United States ended its comprehensive Syria sanctions program effective July 1, 2025, while retaining targeted sanctions on deposed regime officials and other designated actors.
The Damascus meetings are focusing on investment, trade and potential cooperation between Syrian institutions and U.S. companies.
kA/ABD
