The United Arab Emirates is signaling its growing ambitions in Syria’s postwar economy amid a burst of high-level engagement that suggests Abu Dhabi is warming to the country’s new leadership some 18 months after the collapse of President Bashar al-Assad’s government in December 2024.
On May 14, Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa and UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan discussed expanding bilateral cooperation during a phone call focused on development, investment and economic ties, according to Syrian state media. Days earlier, Damascus had hosted the first Syria-UAE Investment Forum — attracting Emirati officials and business leaders and reflecting interest in sectors ranging from real estate to port infrastructure.
What happened: The forum held May 11–12 brought representatives from more than 120 Emirati companies and institutions to the Syrian capital to discuss cooperation ranging from economic free zones to infrastructure, aviation, digital payments and industrial development.
UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi said in a speech that bilateral trade had doubled in 2025 to $1.4 billion. “The coming phase requires stronger cooperation and deeper ties,” he said during the event, which was also attended by UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Noura Al Kaabi.
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