Executive Summary:
Following the political and security liberalization phase that was completed in late 2024, Syria is witnessing qualitative economic transformations embodied in innovative local initiatives, most notably the “Deir al-Ezz” campaign, and in advanced regional partnerships, particularly with Saudi Arabia in the cement sector.
This paper draws on a theoretical framework that combines sustainable development theory and regional integration theory to analyze the new economic dynamics in Syria and assess their impact on enhancing local production, reducing dependence on foreign aid, and reintegrating the Syrian economy into the regional and international system.
The Political and Economic Context of the Post-Liberation Transformation:
Following the end of the conflict that extended from 2011 to 2024, Syria witnessed a remarkable political and economic openness, manifested in its return to the Arab League (May 2023) and the gradual lifting of Western sanctions during 2024 and 2025 after the escape of the criminal Bashar al-Assad. This openness paved the way for rebuilding economic relations with neighboring countries, most notably Saudi Arabia, which had severed diplomatic relations with Damascus in 2012. With the reopening of embassies in early 2023, a new phase of economic cooperation began, culminating in the Syrian-Saudi Investment Forum in July 2025.
The Syrian-Saudi Investment Forum – A New Economic Beginning:
The first Syrian-Saudi Investment Forum was held in Damascus on July 23 and 24, 2025, in the presence of Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa and a high-level Saudi delegation headed by Minister of Investment Khalid al-Falih, which included more than 120 businessmen. The forum resulted in the signing of 47 agreements and memoranda of understanding worth a total of $6.4 billion, covering the energy, agriculture, industry, and real estate sectors. We had previously clarified our position on this issue in what we published on the official website of the Syrian Future Movement, particularly the two statements titled:
1- Saudi Investments and National Economic Establishment
Saudi Investment Leads to Radical Change in Syria, dated July 25, 2025.
2- Signing of Service and Development Agreements between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Syria, dated September 7, 2025.
Among the most prominent of these agreements was a memorandum of understanding between the General Organization for Cement and Building Materials (Omran) and the Saudi Northern Cement Group, which later developed into a strategic agreement in September 2025.
Investment Protection Agreements – Legal Guarantees and Financial Incentives:
In August 2025, Syria and Saudi Arabia signed an agreement to promote and protect mutual investments, which included dispute resolution mechanisms, guarantees against expropriation, and legal facilitation for capital flows.
Saudi Arabia also supported Syria’s efforts to settle its debts to the World Bank, which boosted confidence in the Syrian economy. By the end of August 2025, bilateral investments reached approximately $24 billion, distributed across 12 sectors, as part of a Saudi strategy to support economic and political stability in Syria.
Deir Ezz Campaign – A Crowdfunding Model for Reconstruction:
The Deir Ezz Campaign was launched on September 11, 2025, in Deir Ezzor, with the goal of raising $25 million for the reconstruction of the governorate. The campaign exceeded its goals within its first hours, raising more than $30 million from government sources, international organizations, and businessmen.
The campaign represents a practical application of the crowdfunding model, relying on individual and institutional contributions via electronic and field channels. It is expected to contribute to increasing Deir Ezzor’s GDP by 5 to 10% in the short term by creating job opportunities and improving basic services. Despite the organizational challenges the campaign faced, including a chaotic opening ceremony, the broad public and official support, including praise from President al-Sharaa, strengthened its credibility as an effective economic and social tool.
Strategic Agreement in the Cement Sector – Economic and Sector Analysis:
On September 11, 2025, the General Organization for Civil Defense (Omran) signed a strategic agreement with the Saudi Northern Cement Group during the ENTERCEM conference in Istanbul. The agreement included several components:
- Training and qualifying 40 Syrian engineers and technicians at the Adra plant.
- Improving production efficiency and reducing operating costs by 15%.
- Producing new types of cement and importing clinker.
- Implementing a comprehensive equipment maintenance plan with Saudi technical support.
- Implementation period: 120 days, with a focus on industrial sustainability.
Economically, the agreement is expected to contribute to increasing local production by 20-30% over three years, reducing dependence on imports by 20%, and creating thousands of direct and indirect jobs. It is also expected to increase the cement sector’s contribution to the gross industrial product by 1-2% and improve the trade balance through exporting the potential surplus.
Strategically, the agreement strengthens Syrian-Saudi rapprochement, limits Iranian and Russian influence in vital sectors, and supports sustainable development goals through low-impact production technologies.
Situation Assessment – Syrian Future Movement Vision:
The Syrian Future Movement considers the Deir al-Ezz campaign and the strategic agreement in the cement sector to represent two complementary models for economic reconstruction in Syria.
The campaign reflects the local community’s ability to mobilize resources, while the agreement with Saudi Arabia represents a qualitative shift in regional partnerships.
Therefore, we, at the Syrian Future Movement, recommend the following:
- Enhancing transparency in the management of financial resources for public campaigns.
- Expanding regional partnerships to include the energy and agriculture sectors.
- Developing the legal and institutional infrastructure to attract investment.
- Supporting local initiatives that promote social solidarity and sustainable development.
References:
- Enab Baladi. (2025, September 12). “Deir al-Ezz” Campaign Launches… Donations Exceed $26 Million. Enab Baladi. https://www.enabbaladi.net/773531
- Syrian Observer. (2025, August 19). Syria and Saudi Arabia Sign Landmark Agreement to Promote and Protect Mutual Investments. Syrian Observer. https://syrianobserver.com/society/syria-and-saudi-arabia-sign-landmark-agreement-to-promote-and-protect-mutual-investments.html
- Enab Baladi. (2025, August 17). Saudi Steps to Engage in the Syrian Cement Sector. Enab Baladi (English Edition). https://english.enabbaladi.net/archives/2025/08/saudi-steps-to-engage-in-the-syrian-cement-sector/
- Arab Center Washington DC. (2025, August 7). Saudi Arabia and the new Syria: Constructive pragmatism? Arab Center Washington DC. https://arabcenterdc.org/resource/saudi-arabia-and-the-new-syria-constructive-pragmatism/
