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.
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