Rebuilding Syria News & Updates

Hama governorate and the Ministry of Local Administration and Environment are organising 21 industrial zones and clusters, with building permit deadlines extended to end-2026.

Works to demolish and rehabilitate schools and clean rainwater drains continue in Souran, on the Hama governor's directive, under Decree 59 'Syria Without Camps'.

Syria's Transport and Finance ministries launched an urgent bridge and road plan on 2 June 2026, with Raqqa and Deir ez-Zor first and 2026 budget funding.

Maintenance on the Damascus–Aleppo highway began in April; contracts for its Damascus–Homs and Homs–Aleppo sections were awarded in October, SANA said.

The Syrian Building Information Modelling Framework was announced at the close of AIREX 2026. It is a practical guide based on ISO 19650, prepared by a specialist committee.

Aleppo Governorate reports 239,450 cubic metres of rubble removed and hauled away in phase two of its clearance project, with overall progress at 40% as of 22 October 2026.

Six fifth-generation hybrid gantry cranes have reached Latakia International Container Terminal under the first phase of its upgrade, which the terminal manager says will finish within two months.

Emergency Minister Raed al-Saleh outlines Decree 59, the National Mine Action Centre and emergency centres split into 3 operational categories.

Working hospitals in Deir ez-Zor rose from 6 to 13 and beds from 268 to 520, according to Ministry of Health data. Health centres now number 82.

Aleppo Governorate and UNDP held a two-day workshop to review and update the recovery plan for the old neighbourhoods of Aleppo across four thematic tracks.

The Syrian-Jordanian Free Zone company has signed eight investment contracts covering 11,000 square metres since 6 September, as customs moves toward digitisation.

The first LPG cargo supplied by Germany's Select Energy arrived at Baniyas Port on 19 October under a contract with the Syrian Petroleum Company, sponsored by the Syrian-German Business Council.

Syria and the World Bank Group agreed to establish a multi-donor trust fund, and an economic analyst outlined its expected effect on donor funding.

Finance Minister Mohammad Yosr Barnieh discussed in Bangkok Syria's move to the World Bank Arab Group and AIIB interest in financing infrastructure projects.

The Saudi Fund for Development approved concessional loans for six projects in Syria, and the finance minister discussed resumed infrastructure financing with Kuwait's fund.

A Damascus engineers' syndicate official says international road rehabilitation costs $700-800 million, as a contract covers the Nasib-Damascus highway.

Harran al-Awamid town council in Rif Dimashq has removed about 2,000 cubic metres of rubble since 20 September, with vital roads to be reopened next.

The General Establishment for Free Zones signed 8 contracts with 4 local, Arab and foreign firms, covering about 625,000 square meters in two border zones.

Syria's finance minister and central bank governor met the World Bank Group president to review financing and projects. The meeting covered a Damascus office due in January.

Syria's civil aviation authority announced a plan to convert Palmyra airport to civil use for tourism. Its head said service could start within 6 months to a year.

Finance Minister Barnieh and the Islamic Development Bank president discussed a proposal to settle outstanding obligations, in support of resumed infrastructure financing in Syria.

UN deputy envoy Claudio Cordone told the Security Council of EUR 620 million in announced EU support and a USD 175 million World Bank approval for agriculture.

Idlib's governor opened four health centers in Sheikh Idris, Kafr Amim, Tal al-Tuqan and Abu al-Zuhur, equipped with support from UNICEF, Insan Charity and MSF.

Syria's Central Bank executed its first documentary credit in 14 years for the Syrian Petroleum Company, with a major US bank, to finance a petroleum products supply deal.

Communications Minister Abdulsalam Haykal and Meta regional president Fares Akkad discussed restoring commercial services, including advertising tools and business services.

Communications Minister Abdulsalam Haykal said Zain will begin work in Syria within days. An academic said success depends on addressing infrastructure gaps.

The Ministry of Economy and Industry has opened subscriptions in the Deir ez-Zor Industrial City, offering over 140 hectares of plots from $25 per square meter in cash.

The Syrian Investment Authority and the Ministry of Local Administration and Environment agreed in Damascus to form a group to collect data for the investment map.

The Central Bank of Syria has launched a two-year technical assistance programme with France covering banking supervision, monetary policy and liquidity management.

Executives from Wyndham, Accor and Minor Hotels describe hotel projects under preparation in Syria, and UAE developer Arada announces a project worth about $7 billion.

Decision No. 158 of 5 October 2026 forms the Syrian-Pakistani Business Council, chaired by Mustafa Mohammad Jamil Musa, and invites companies in both countries to get in touch.

Decision No. 160 of 6 October 2026 forms the Syrian-Australian Business Council, chaired by Marwan Al-Dabbagh, and invites companies to submit cooperation opportunities.

Syria's Local Administration Ministry reviewed September activities, including climate and digital projects, a Raqqa industrial zone and international rebuilding cooperation.

Damascus Governorate formally approved starting to issue building and restoration licences in Yarmouk Camp under announced technical rules, ahead of residents' return.

As President al-Sharaa visits Riyadh, the Elaf fund has begun its first investment at Aleppo International Airport, and a finance professor outlines the conditions for growth.

Syria's Investment Authority held an extended meeting with representatives from 26 public bodies to advance its one stop shop and investor services.

Idlib's governor and Syria's justice minister reviewed plans to rehabilitate courthouses in Idlib and Maarat al-Numan and speed up activation of peace courts.

Syria's Minister of Public Works and Housing Mustafa Abdul Razzaq stated the government relies on the private sector to execute 70 to 80% of urban projects.

Syria signed a framework agreement with UAE developer Eagle Hills to build large housing and tourism projects in Damascus and Latakia.

Syria's Finance Minister met a World Bank MIGA delegation to discuss offering investment risk guarantees aimed at boosting the business climate.

Syria's Investment Authority and UNDP met in Damascus to discuss development priorities, focusing on support for the national textile industry.

Syria's housing and tourism ministries signed a framework agreement with UAE's Eagle Hills to develop Damascus Hills and a Latakia tourism project.

Latakia port recorded over 3.7 million tons of cargo and received 532 vessels by the end of September 2025, with round-the-clock operations.

Syria's electricity company details the technical status of three strategic power plants in Rif Dimashq and announces contracts and MoUs to integrate 750 MW of wind and 1,000 MW of solar power.

A US Treasury banking roundtable in New York brought together Syrian and American financial officials to discuss reconnecting Syria's banking sector to the global system.

Syria's Finance Minister and Central Bank Governor met Mastercard's CEO in New York to discuss developing digital payments and government financial services.

A project to rehabilitate and operate the Al-Muslimiyah cement plant in Aleppo has been launched in cooperation with Turkey's Sanko Group.

Deir ez-Zor Governorate says rebuilding of Al-Mayadeen Bridge has begun, SANA reported, while Al-Siyasiyeh advances in a three-bridge plan after the floods.

Syria's central bank launches a trial phase for international bank cards with payment networks, marked by the first overseas Mastercard purchase in Dubai.

The Technical Services Directorate in Tartus completed maintenance of the Qusaibiya road leading to Shuwaihdat and Ain al-Jash villages in Dreikish.

Syria's Civil Aviation Authority reports new requests from Asian carriers to use Syrian airspace, alongside growing demand from Gulf and regional airlines.

Al-Sham Humanitarian Foundation announced the opening of ten schools in Rural Damascus and Homs, rehabilitated in a KSrelief-funded project started in May 2026.

Finance Minister Mohammad Yasser Barnieh told an Abu Dhabi workshop that Syria's economy continues to recover, with a medium-term fiscal framework planned for the 2027 budget.

Japan has removed sanctions on 16 more Syrian entities, including the defense and interior ministries, Syriatel and the Commercial Bank of Syria, to support rebuilding efforts.

Syria's civil aviation authority says restored dense air traffic across Syrian airspace has multiplied aviation sector revenues four to five times.

The Euphrates Dam Authority increases released water to 1200 cubic meters per second and empties 6 million cubic meters of storage ahead of autumn and winter.

Syria's Local Administration Ministry closed its participation in Mosiad Expo 2026 in Istanbul, presenting investment opportunities in seven industrial zones as part of a wider plan.

Syria's international freight shipping union held its 2026 annual meeting in Damascus, signing MoUs with Jordan and Iraq to boost regional transport cooperation.

Syria's Investment Authority and Aleppo governorate launched the first project under the new real estate development system, amid $800 million in tracked projects.

Minister Nidal Al-Shaar announced the Syrian-Azerbaijani Business Council, council no. 23, at the Azerbaijan International Investment Forum in Baku and signed its founding decision.

Iraq and Syria agreed on new border measures including electronic customs data exchange and a 100-dunam expansion of the Rabia crossing.

Syria's central bank governor expects over $1 billion in foreign capital to establish new banks, citing legal protections for investors.

Banking ties between Jordan and Syria are expanding as restrictions ease, with Jordanian banks offering transfer and trade finance channels.

Syria's economic relations with Jordan, Iraq and Lebanon are expanding through agreements on energy, transport and trade, with Jordan trade tripling to $330 million.

Daraa province is mapping unlicensed wells and studying which ones can be linked to drinking water networks after they strained groundwater reserves.

FlyDar has obtained its Air Operator Certificate, becoming the first Syrian private airline licensed after liberation, based at Damascus International Airport.

Syria's Investment Authority discussed with investors and a delegation from China's ZXAUTO the prospects of car manufacturing and assembly projects in Syria.

The Syrian-Ukrainian Business Council, chaired by Mohammad Naeem Zeidieh, was formed by ministerial decision and held its first founding meeting on 22 September 2026.

Syria's government presented a UN vision shifting from displacement funding to solutions, launching 300 projects to rehabilitate camp areas in Idlib and Aleppo.

Syria's Emergency Minister outlined a plan in New York to end camps through mine clearance, infrastructure rehabilitation and international investment.

Syria's Transport Minister presented a $500 million road rehabilitation plan and a $200 million World Bank rail grant at a Beirut investment forum.

A Lebanese Syrian investment forum opened in Beirut with ministers and nearly 400 business figures discussing cooperation in rebuilding, energy and transport.

Ten months after Syria reconnected to SWIFT, financial experts say the real challenge is rebuilding trust with international correspondent banks, not the technical link itself.

Syria's central bank governor took part in a panel at Jordan's 2026 fintech festival, presenting plans for a national electronic payment system to boost financial inclusion.

The Port of Latakia received 467 ships in the first eight months of 2026, handling a combined cargo weight exceeding 3.3 million tons.

Preliminary rehabilitation works have started at Mezzeh Airport in Damascus, aiming to convert it from a military facility into a civilian airport for private aviation.

Syria's Finance Minister joined a high-level UN roundtable in New York to discuss coordinated support for reforming the country's financial and banking sector.

Syria's General Establishment of Roads signed a contract with a Kuwaiti company to maintain and rehabilitate the Nassib-Damascus highway, a key international transit route.

Syria's central bank governor met Arab banking officials in Amman to discuss forming a Syrian banking association to coordinate the sector.

Syria's Transport Minister discussed investment opportunities in roads, railways and a digital freight platform worth over $500 million with Chinese firms.

King Salman Relief Center signed a program to build the Um Al Bashaer complex in Saraqib, Idlib, offering health and community services to over 100,000 residents.

Emirati businessman Mohamed Al Abbar says Syria investment projects worth about $15 billion will be signed in the first week of October.

Syria's Rebuild 2026 exhibition closed in Damascus with 3,200 contracts and 412 memoranda of understanding worth over $1.756 billion in construction, infrastructure and industry.

The Syrian-Uzbek Business Council, council no. 22, was announced in Tashkent alongside a counterpart Uzbek council and a business forum covering trade, investment, industry and agriculture.

Syrian and Iraqi customs officials agreed to electronically link their systems and expand Tanf crossing before reopening it to travelers.

Egypt and Syria agreed on execution mechanisms for economic cooperation, technical working groups, and a joint business forum on trade and investment.

A joint Islamic financing agreement between public and private banks will fund the Mujtahid tunnel, marking a new model for infrastructure financing in Syria.

Qatar's Attia Architecture Group has signed execution contracts for projects in Aleppo and Jaroud, Rif Dimashq, both still awaiting licensing.

Deir ez-Zor launched the Nabd al-Deir campaign to upgrade infrastructure, roads and services, with Governor Ziad al-Ayash attending the launch.

A Syrian delegation in Beirut agreed with Lebanese officials on mutual recognition of conformity certificates to ease bilateral trade.

Syria's central bank governor met a US Treasury delegation to discuss trade financing, correspondent banking, and integration into the international financial system.

Syria's Economy Ministry signed an MoU with Saudi company Golden Buildings to invest in and develop the Deir al-Bashal complex in Banias, Tartus.

Bab al-Hawa border crossing recorded 95,247 commercial trucks carrying over 2.1 million tons of goods and 602,000 travelers in eight months.

Jordan's approval to route gas to Lebanon through Syria could give Damascus transit fees and gas shares, economists say.

SYRIX Jeddah 2026 opened with more than 160 Syrian companies from food, textile, engineering and chemical sectors seeking trade ties with Saudi Arabia.

Syria's civil aviation chief met Saudi firm SAAL's CEO to discuss developing air cargo and logistics cooperation between the two countries.

ACWA Power and WTCO, with Syria's Energy Ministry and Fichtner, signed a technical services agreement to study water resources, desalination and transmission.

A Jordan-Lebanon gas agreement routed through Syria revives the Arab Gas Pipeline, opening questions over transit fee revenue for Syria.

Damascus governor and the education minister opened Jawdat Hashemi school after full renovation, part of a wider drive to prepare dozens of schools for the new academic year.

Aleppo province and the Engineers Syndicate agreed to cut design fees 50% for investment and rebuilding projects, and waive fees for destroyed homes.