Trade between the United Arab Emirates and Syria more than doubled in 2025, a UAE minister said on Tuesday during an investment forum in Damascus that reflected rapidly improving ties between the two countries.
UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade Thani Al Zeyoudi said non-oil trade between the two states reached a record $1.4 billion in 2025, up 132% from the previous year. He said the increase opened new opportunities for expanding bilateral trade.
The two-day Syrian-Emirati Investment Forum, held at the Presidential Palace in Damascus this week, brought together senior officials from both countries, including Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa. During the event, both sides reached preliminary agreements on dozens of projects in tourism, infrastructure, agriculture, aviation, logistics and construction.
The UAE, which has traditionally opposed Islamist movements in the Middle East, had initially moved more cautiously than Saudi Arabia and Qatar in restoring ties with Syria’s new government led by Sharaa, a former al Qaeda commander.
However, relations have improved more rapidly since the outbreak of the Iran war, particularly after Syria repeatedly expressed support for Abu Dhabi following Iranian attacks on the UAE.
In April, Anwar Gargash, Diplomatic Adviser to the UAE President, described Syria as one of the Arab countries that had taken a positive stance towards the Emirates.
Mohamed Alabbar, founder of Emaar, said the company was studying projects in Damascus worth up to $12 billion, alongside coastal developments in Syria valued at up to $7 billion.
Syrian Economy and Industry Minister Nidal Shaar said both countries had agreed to establish a Syrian technical delegation to visit the UAE and prepare an implementation roadmap for the recent agreements.
Meanwhile, Etihad Airways announced the resumption of flights between Abu Dhabi and Damascus in mid-June after suspending operations in 2012 following the outbreak of the Syrian conflict.
Syria has been seeking foreign investment to revive an economy devastated by years of war and sanctions. Over the past year, Damascus has signed several major agreements with Gulf investors and U.S. companies, including Chevron for deep-water oil and gas exploration projects.
British police are facing a national backlash over their handling of the fatal stabbing of 18-year-old student Henry Nowak, who was handcuffed while d...
China’s Special Envoy for Afghanistan, Yue Xiaoyong, has met Pakistan’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, Mohammad Sadiq, in Islamabad to di...
International organisations, investors, environmental experts and business representatives gathered in Samarkand for the opening of Eco Expo Central A...
China is sending doctors, medical teams and emergency supplies to help combat a growing Ebola outbreak in Central Africa, joining an international eff...
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has said Yerevan remains committed to normalising relations with Azerbaijan and Türkiye, expressing confidenc...
British police are facing a national backlash over their handling of the fatal stabbing of 18-year-old student Henry Nowak, who was handcuffed while dying from stab wounds after his attacker falsely claimed to be the victim of a racist assault.
China’s Special Envoy for Afghanistan, Yue Xiaoyong, has met Pakistan’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, Mohammad Sadiq, in Islamabad to discuss the China-facilitated Urumqi Process and regional security concerns.
International organisations, investors, environmental experts and business representatives gathered in Samarkand for the opening of Eco Expo Central Asia 2026, one of the region's largest environmental events focused on green growth, climate resilience and sustainable development.
China is sending doctors, medical teams and emergency supplies to help combat a growing Ebola outbreak in Central Africa, joining an international effort to contain the disease before it spreads further.
Okinawa lost transport links and suffered widespread power outages on Monday (1 June) as Severe Tropical Storm Jangmi brought destructive winds and heavy rain to Japan's south-western islands.
Competing narratives continue to shape perceptions of the war in Ukraine, with Russian leadership suggesting a possible end phase while Ukrainian officials warn of renewed large-scale attacks and ongoing escalation risks.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has held talks with Lebanese President and Israeli Prime Minister on efforts to ease tensions between Israel and Lebanon. According to a U.S. official, Washington has proposed a plan aimed at achieving a gradual de-escalation of hostilities.
When Armenians vote on 7 June, they will be voting in an election shaped by months of political change and a rapidly deepening relationship with the European Union. The result may not only determine who governs Armenia but also the future direction of the country's geopolitical alignment.
Unsealed records from the U.S. Department of Justice have renewed scrutiny of lawyer Robert Amsterdam after documents revealed communications between his law firm and Jeffrey Epstein's office. The disclosures have drawn attention because of Amsterdam's prominent role in Armenia.
British police are facing a national backlash over their handling of the fatal stabbing of 18-year-old student Henry Nowak, who was handcuffed while dying from stab wounds after his attacker falsely claimed to be the victim of a racist assault.
China is sending doctors, medical teams and emergency supplies to help combat a growing Ebola outbreak in Central Africa, joining an international effort to contain the disease before it spreads further.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) said they struck a cargo ship owned by the “American-Zionist enemy” with a cruise missile after an Iranian freighter was attacked in the Sea of Oman.
Dutch police have launched an investigation into the use of force against a pregnant woman at an asylum seekers' centre in Zeist after videos of the incident circulated widely on social media.
Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar said on Monday that his government would begin legal proceedings to remove President Tamás Sulyok if he continues to reject calls to resign.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment