AMMAN — The Jordan-Syria Investment Forum kicked off on Thursday in Damascus, underlining the need for a sustainable economic alliance between the two countries through public-private partnership and shared interests.

 

Organised by the Jordanian Businessmen Association (JBA) in cooperation with the Syrian Business Council (SBC), the forum called for full utilisation of trade and investment opportunities and highlighted the role of Jordanian investor expertise and success, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

 

The Jordanian delegation includes representatives from key sectors, including construction, transportation, logistics, education, energy, water, general trade, agriculture, tourism and travel, industry, finance, banking, information technology, and free and industrial development zones.

 

Syrian Finance Minister Mohammad Yasir Barniya said that Syrian-Jordanian economic relations are showing notable development, reflected in growing trade volumes and stronger private sector partnerships.

 

Barniya expressed optimism about 2026, projecting double-digit economic growth exceeding 10 per cent if positive conditions continue.

 

The ongoing lifting of sanctions, announced last year, is expected to yield tangible results, including the return of Syrian expatriates and growing investor interest, he said.

 

The minister added that the government is creating an attractive investment environment through institutional and legislative reforms to empower the private sector and give it a leading role in the economy.

 

He said tax system reforms, including simplification of procedures and improved transparency, aim to support the private sector while protecting low-income groups through effective social safety nets.

 

Syrian Minister of Communications and Information Technology Abdul Salam Haykal said Syria welcomes Jordanian companies and investors to participate in building a modern digital ecosystem that serves both countries and the wider region.

 

Haykal said Syria’s telecommunications and technology sector is advancing at a rapid pace under a comprehensive reform vision.

 

He added that the existing rapprochement and commitment between Syria and Jordan present a strategic opportunity for the business communities in both countries, noting that the new phase in bilateral relations opens unprecedented prospects for economic and investment cooperation.

 

Haykal also noted that Syria is currently undergoing a phase of “resetting new foundations,” regaining its commercial identity and its ability to build alliances and strengthen partnerships.

 

He described Jordan as Syria’s closest neighbour and a country that hosted Syrians throughout the years of crisis, as a natural partner at this stage.

 

He noted that Syria’s telecommunications and IT sector is witnessing accelerated growth and remains one of the vital sectors that combines investment in infrastructure and digital services, making it attractive to major companies and investment funds, as well as medium-sized firms seeking regional expansion.

 

Haykal pointed to Jordan’s experience in developing its information technology sector based on national talent, saying Syria is adopting a similar model. The similarities between the two countries enhance prospects for knowledge exchange, particularly in efficient resource management and building a knowledge-based economy, he added.

 

The minister also said Syria chose Jordan as the first destination for its recent external visits, where cooperation was strengthened with Jordan’s Ministry of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship, resulting in the establishment of four to five joint Jordanian-Syrian companies that have already begun entering the market.

 

JBA Chairperson Ayman Alawneh described economic cooperation with Syria as a long-term strategic path, extending beyond trade to joint investment and integrated development projects reflecting historical ties.

 

He noted that Jordan’s free trade agreements with the EU, the US, Canada, and Singapore provide competitive advantages that can be leveraged in Syrian partnerships.

 

Trade between the two countries rose 185 per cent in the first 11 months of 2025 compared with the same period in 2024, signalling renewed economic momentum and real opportunities for growth, he said, adding that Syria’s reconstruction represents a comprehensive development process requiring Jordanian expertise and long-term partnerships based on mutual interest.

 

Alawneh said current relations are positive, supported by both countries’ leadership, and strengthen stability, growth, and prosperity in the region.

 

Jordanian Ambassador to Syria Sufian Qudah said the forum is a pivotal step in strengthening investment and trade ties and demonstrates the political will to expand cooperation on sustainable foundations.

 

Official indicators show significant growth in trade volume, confirming an upward trajectory in economic relations, Qudah noted.

 

Governor of the Central Bank of Syria Abdul Qader Hasriya said economic relations must move beyond traditional trade toward a broader economic alliance.

 

He highlighted Syria’s diverse investment opportunities, called for long-term joint ventures, and welcomed the return of foreign banks, including Jordanian institutions.

 

Hasriya noted that monetary stability has improved the exchange rate by 25 to 30 per cent and that low inflation rates have been achieved.

 

He added that new monetary policy tools are being developed to enhance liquidity management and market operations, with the financial and banking sector expected to play a leading role in supporting investment and production across Syria.

 

Head of the SBC Haitham Joud said forums between neighbouring countries should be held regularly and described the event as a step toward organised, sustainable economic partnerships.

 

Jordanian investors, with their expertise and proven success in multiple sectors, are well-positioned to enter the Syrian market, which offers wide-ranging opportunities in energy, information technology, phosphate, pharmaceuticals, real estate development, and infrastructure, he said.