The Syrian Future Movement is following with great interest the announcement issued by the General Authority for Ports and Customs on Tuesday evening, May 19, 2026, regarding the signing of an agreement with the French multinational company CMA CGM to operate two dry ports within the Adra Free Zone in rural Damascus and the Aleppo Free Zone.
This announcement coincides with the arrival of the first trial run of a freight train from the port of Latakia to the dry port in Adra after a 14-year hiatus. This step reflects the reactivation of rail transport lines and the connection of seaports with inland logistics centers, thus enhancing shipping and transportation between ports and free zones.
Based on the Syrian Future Movement’s methodology of “supporting national solutions without absolute support for any party, and criticizing what threatens the state-building process without hostility,” we issue this statement to assess this important investment step and emphasize the necessity for it to positively impact the national economy, improve the business environment, and serve the citizens.
First: The Syrian Future Movement appreciates the efforts exerted by the General Authority for Ports and Customs to reach this agreement, which forms part of its comprehensive vision for developing the logistical infrastructure and enhancing the role of dry ports as logistical hubs supporting trade and transportation.
While commending this approach, we reiterate our firm and consistent position in supporting the improvement of the investment climate and attracting foreign capital, as demonstrated in numerous previous statements and studies published on our official website, including:
The study “Reconstruction Priorities in Syria” (dated December 19, 2024), which indicated that reconstruction cannot be completed without a developed logistical infrastructure that reconnects Syria to global trade networks and makes it a vital transit hub.
The statement “Setting the Wheat Purchase Price for the 2026 Season” (dated May 18, 2026), which emphasized that reducing transportation costs and improving logistical infrastructure is an integral part of any plan to achieve national food security.
Secondly, the Syrian Future Movement points to the importance of this step in improving transportation efficiency and reducing costs. We believe that establishing dry ports and activating railway lines will bring about a qualitative leap in the transportation and logistics sector in Syria, as it will contribute to:
- Accelerating the movement of goods and reducing costs by linking ports and border crossings to dry ports, and alleviating pressure on land transport networks.
- Providing integrated services that include customs clearance, warehousing, and multimodal transport, in accordance with the best international standards.
- Enhancing the readiness of infrastructure related to trade and transportation, and supporting economic activity in various sectors.
Third: The Future Movement recalls the broader context of this agreement and the importance of ensuring transparency and accountability. It comes just weeks after the signing of the major partnership agreement between the Syrian government and the CMA CGM Group in early May 2026, which was described as a “strategic transformation” in the management and operation of Syrian ports. The framework agreement stipulates an investment of €230 million over 30 years, of which €200 million is allocated to building a new marine berth at the port of Latakia within the first four years, along with modern equipment and logistical facilities that will later be transferred to state ownership free of charge.
The agreement is also subject to Syrian investment law and includes an international arbitration clause through the International Chamber of Commerce in London, providing a legal framework aimed at attracting investments.
While the Syrian Future Movement commends these significant investments, it emphasizes the importance of ensuring full transparency in the implementation of these contracts and continuous accountability to guarantee that their benefits reach all Syrians, and are not limited to a narrow segment.
Therefore, we demand that the government answer the following questions clearly and publicly:
What are the specific mechanisms in place to ensure transparency in awarding contracts and selecting companies to implement the sub-projects related to the dry ports?
What percentage of the workforce will be local during the operational phases, and what plans are in place to transfer technical and administrative expertise to Syrian personnel?
How will the government ensure that these projects do not become areas of economic dominance controlled by a single company, at the expense of fair competition?
What are the complementary plans for developing the industrial zones surrounding these dry ports to guarantee the creation of new job opportunities and achieve local development?
In conclusion, the Syrian Future Movement reiterates its full support for every effort that contributes to the reconstruction of Syria and the development of its infrastructure, and sees this agreement as a promising glimmer of hope.
However, the true success of these projects will not be measured solely by the amount of money invested, but rather by their ability to improve the lives of Syrian citizens, provide decent job opportunities, and enhance transparency and combat corruption.
For its part, the Syrian Future Movement will continue to closely monitor this issue, both supporting and criticizing it, in an effort to build a new Syria that is worthy of the sacrifices of its people, where national wealth belongs to everyone and is managed with transparency and accountability.
