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"The First Syrian-Emirati Investment Forum opened at the Ebla al-Sham Hotel in the Damascus countryside on Monday, bringing together senior officials and business leaders from both countries. Footage shows delegations receiving a warm welcome with lively traditional performances and speeches before attending bilateral talks. The forum aims to boost economic cooperation and expand investment partnerships across a range of sectors. Sultan Ahmed Al-Falahi, CEO and founder of Sultan Holding, praised the Syrian authorities' efforts to drive progress, but warned that sanctions on Syria remain the biggest obstacle to investment. "Syria has emerged from many wars and difficult circumstances, but it still needs to develop its infrastructure. I believe our Syrian brothers are capable of achieving this, and the UAE will provide all the support they need," he said. "We have begun to reap the rewards and things are going well. There are no major problems, and we are convinced that the days ahead will be much better," he added Ahmed Khaled Othman, a member of the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority, said the visit is aimed at strengthening the growing bilateral relationship and boosting investment in the agricultural sector, particularly in food security. "We are looking forward to strengthening the ever-evolving relationship," he said. "The Syrian Arab Republic is considered one of the most promising countries in this sector, in terms of both crop and livestock resources." Mousa Butrus, CEO of Fly Sham Syria, described the airline as a product of Syrian-Emirati cooperation, noting that the partnership aims to leverage the UAE's aviation expertise. The forum featured panel discussions bringing together officials and investors from both sides, offering a direct platform to explore opportunities for cooperation, investment, and partnerships. Discussions spanned a wide range of sectors, including trade, education, financial services, tourism, real estate, urban development, agriculture, food security, energy, aviation, logistics, healthcare, technology and digital transformation. The UAE delegation included UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi and Chairman of the General Authority for Islamic Affairs, Endowments and Zakat Omar Habtoor Al-Daraei. The Emirati delegation arrived in Damascus on an official visit on Sunday to discuss prospects for bilateral economic and investment cooperation and ways to expand partnerships in development and production sectors. Syrian Transitional President Ahmad Al-Sharaa previously discussed investment and real estate development opportunities with an Emirati economic delegation led by businessman Mohammed Ali Rashid Alabbar at the People's Palace in Damascus last Wednesday. Last month, Al-Sharaa visited the United Arab Emirates during his Gulf tour and met with UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi, where they discussed strengthening bilateral ties, expanding economic partnerships and regional developments in the Middle East."
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