President Ahmad al-Sharaa discussed investment opportunities in Syria and ways to broaden economic cooperation during a roundtable meeting with members of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and representatives of major U.S. companies, held on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly.
The Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) reported that Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Assaad Hassan al-Shibani attended the meeting, which focused on investment and partnership opportunities across several economic and development sectors.
According to SANA, the talks covered energy, technology, healthcare and banking, as well as ways to strengthen cooperation in support of reconstruction and Syria’s economic recovery.
U.S. Delegation of 50 Companies Visited Damascus
On September 14, Syrian officials and business figures began a series of meetings with a U.S. Chamber of Commerce economic delegation representing 50 companies. The International Cooperation and American Affairs departments of the Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates organised the meetings with the delegation, the first and largest U.S. business delegation to visit Syria since the lifting of sanctions.
Speaking at the opening session, Steve Lutes, Vice President for Middle East Affairs at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, said: “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.”
Mr Lutes said the mission had observed many things, “first among them the strength, determination and seriousness of the Syrian leadership, represented by Ahmad al-Sharaa, in creating an environment that focuses on business and supports and welcomes investment.”
He added that the delegation’s visit was “evidence of the strength and solidity of U.S.-Syrian relations, which have recovered following President Donald Trump’s decision to lift sanctions on Syria.”
For his part, U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Jacob McGee encouraged U.S. businesspeople to invest in the Syrian market, which he said “holds great opportunities.”
This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
