The UAE and Syria have restructured their Joint Business Council to deepen trade, encourage investment and strengthen private-sector partnerships across a range of strategic industries….reports Arab Daily News Desk
The United Arab Emirates and Syria have taken a fresh step towards deepening economic cooperation by announcing the restructuring of the UAE-Syria Joint Business Council, a move aimed at expanding trade, attracting investment and creating new opportunities for private-sector partnerships between the two countries.
The announcement was made during a meeting between Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of Foreign Trade, and Dr Mohammed Nidal Al-Shaar, Syria’s Minister of Economy and Industry. The ministers discussed ways to strengthen bilateral trade and investment ties as both countries seek to enhance economic cooperation across a range of strategic sectors.
The revamped council will serve as a joint platform connecting business leaders and investors from the UAE and Syria, with the objective of facilitating commercial partnerships, encouraging investment and supporting long-term economic collaboration.
Speaking after the meeting, Dr Al Zeyoudi said the reactivation of the council reflects the commitment of both governments to restoring trade and investment relations and creating an environment that supports sustainable economic growth.
He said the council would develop a roadmap to strengthen commercial cooperation and deepen engagement between the private sectors of both countries.
According to the minister, the Emirati membership of the council includes leading business figures and investors representing sectors considered central to future economic cooperation, including food security, agriculture, logistics, manufacturing, energy, infrastructure, technology, digital transformation and financial services.
The announcement was made during a meeting between Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of Foreign Trade, and Dr Mohammed Nidal Al-Shaar, Syria’s Minister of Economy and Industry.
He added that greater collaboration between businesses would help unlock new investment opportunities while supporting broader economic development goals shared by both countries.
Dr Al Zeyoudi highlighted Syria’s strategic geographical position, saying the country has the potential to serve as an important logistics and commercial gateway linking regional markets with the Mediterranean.
He noted that future joint projects could contribute to strengthening trade routes and expanding access to international markets while supporting regional economic integration.
The initiative forms part of wider efforts to encourage private-sector participation in rebuilding commercial links and identifying investment opportunities across key industries.
The Federation of UAE Chambers of Commerce and Industry has been tasked with overseeing the Emirati participation in the council.
Its Secretary-General, Humaid Mohammed Bin Salem, said the appointment of UAE representatives marks an important step towards institutionalising cooperation between the business communities of both countries.
He said the council would provide a direct channel for dialogue between business leaders and investors, helping develop trade partnerships and encouraging investment in priority sectors.
The Emirati side of the council will be chaired by Essa Abdullah Al Ghurair, with Yahya bin Saeed Lootah serving as Vice Chairman. The body also includes a broad group of Emirati business leaders representing diverse economic and investment sectors, reflecting the council’s objective of promoting wide-ranging commercial cooperation.
Officials said the council’s diverse membership will help identify opportunities for collaboration across multiple industries while supporting efforts to expand bilateral trade and investment.
The restructuring also reflects the UAE’s continued emphasis on strengthening economic partnerships across the region through closer engagement with the private sector and the creation of institutional mechanisms that facilitate business cooperation.
The renewed council is expected to play a central role in advancing commercial relations between the UAE and Syria by promoting investment, supporting business-to-business engagement and encouraging long-term partnerships that contribute to economic growth in both countries.
