The Syrian Future Movement welcomes the official statement issued by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission on February 25, 2026, headed by Mr. Ron van Roodeen (Deputy Director of the Middle East and Central Asia Department at the IMF), which comes within the framework of the intensive program of engagement with the Syrian authorities.
We consider the statement an important and positive step towards reintegrating the Syrian economy into the international financial system, after decades of isolation and structural deterioration resulting from the conflict.
The Syrian Future Movement appreciates the statement’s explicit acknowledgment of tangible signs of recovery, which include:
- The acceleration of economic activity in recent months.
- Improved consumer and investor confidence indicators.
- The lifting of international sanctions in key sectors.
- The continued return of refugees (approximately 1,464,684 individuals as of February 19, 2026, according to UNHCR estimates, mostly from neighboring countries).
- Improved electricity supply, good rainfall, and the launch of several major new investment projects.
The Syrian Future Movement appreciates the recognition of the relative financial achievements for 2025, including:
- A small surplus in the central government budget, with a focus on spending to meet basic needs and improve wages and living standards, and the cessation of monetary financing from the Central Bank of Syria.
- Inflation slowing to low double digits by the end of 2025, with a marked improvement in the Syrian pound’s exchange rate compared to 2024.
The Syrian Future Movement welcomes the 2026 budget’s focus on significantly expanding spending on vital social sectors (healthcare, education, wage increases, and rehabilitation of basic infrastructure), while establishing safeguards to maintain social spending and strengthen social safety nets in the event that the ambitious revenue projections (as described by the IMF) are not met.
The Syrian Future Movement emphasizes the strategic importance of the agreed-upon intensive technical cooperation program (extending to approximately 2030), which focuses on:
- Strengthening the independence of the Central Bank of Syria and building a modern monetary policy framework.
- Restructuring the banking system to restore public confidence and activate its role in international finance and trade.
- Improving public financial management, mobilizing sustainable revenues, managing public debt, and developing fair and transparent tax policies.
- Supporting the Ministry of Finance’s Strategic Transformation Plan 2026–2030 and updating financial legislation in accordance with international standards, in preparation for resuming Article IV consultations.
The Syrian Future Movement emphasizes that this statement, despite its clear positive aspects, does not constitute an immediate and radical shift, as it is currently limited to technical assistance and policy advice without direct funding from the Fund.
Sustainable recovery remains vulnerable to significant structural risks, including:
- The enormous financing needs for reconstruction (previous estimates exceeding US$200 billion).
- Weak foreign reserves and liquidity in the banking system.
- Heavy reliance on external factors (continued lifting of sanctions, regional and international investment flows, and donor support).
- The risks include geopolitical instability, fluctuations in global energy prices, and a slowdown in the return of refugees and internally displaced persons.
The Syrian Future Movement calls on the Syrian authorities to:
- Strictly commit to implementing the proposed structural reforms, while strengthening the role of the Ministry of Finance in evaluating major projects and partnerships with the private sector to contain contingent liabilities.
- Accelerate the digital transformation of government services and improve the efficiency and transparency of public spending.
- Ensure a fair and inclusive distribution of economic gains across all regions and communities, prioritizing poverty reduction among returnees and internally displaced persons.
- Strengthen regional and international partnerships to attract productive investments in energy, agriculture, industry, and infrastructure, while adhering to standards of good governance and transparency.
The Syrian Future Movement affirms its commitment to supporting the building of a free, productive, sustainable, and socially just Syrian economy based on efficiency, transparency, and broad participation, within the framework of a unified civil state that protects the rights of all and opens real prospects for sustainable development and prosperity for future generations.
