The Syrian Future Movement is following with great interest and appreciation the opening of the “Tech Town” Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center on Sunday evening, July 12, 2026, in the Kafr Souseh district of Damascus. The opening ceremony was held under the patronage of the Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Abdul Salam Heikal, and in the presence of the Director of the Syrian Investment Authority, Talal Al-Hilali, along with officials and representatives from the public and private sectors and entrepreneurs. We see this as a strategic opportunity to build a sophisticated knowledge-based economy capable of attracting young talent and providing job opportunities, following the example of countries that have made technology and innovation central to their development.
The Syrian Future Movement commends this initiative, which provides a comprehensive environment to support startups, promote digital transformation, and attract investments in the technology sector.
We also note with interest the Minister of Communications’ statement that “Tech Town” reflects the Syrian people’s confidence in their abilities and their belief in the future, and that Syria possesses the talent capable of leading the reconstruction and development phase.
We see this center, which includes workspaces and specialized labs in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, the Internet of Things, and virtual reality, as a model for public-private partnerships in developing the digital economy and empowering youth.
The Syrian Future Movement notes that, as CEO Sinan Hatahet explained, the center focuses on incubating startups from their early stages, developing their prototypes, connecting them with investors and partners, and developing national talent through specialized training programs that align with labor market needs.
The Syrian Future Movement appreciates this approach, which contributes to transforming ideas into products and technologies that support economic development and strengthens Syria’s position as a hub for innovation and entrepreneurship in the region.
It is also worth mentioning that this step comes within the framework of ongoing efforts to develop the innovation and digital transformation ecosystem, provide an integrated environment that supports entrepreneurs and startups, enhances research and development, and contributes to building a technology- and knowledge-based economy.
The Syrian Future Movement reiterates its unwavering support for digital transformation and the development of the business environment, as published on its official website. This includes:
- The statement on the opening of the “One-Stop Shop” at the Port of Latakia (dated July 11, 2026), which emphasized that digital transformation requires advanced technological infrastructure, transparent oversight mechanisms, and investment in human capital.
- The statement on Mastercard’s return to Syria and its commitment to enhancing digital transformation (dated May 10, 2026), which welcomed the move to reconnect the Syrian market to the global payments network and stressed the importance of digital financial inclusion.
- The study on the Central Bank of Syria’s 2026–2030 strategy (dated May 8, 2026), which indicated that digital transformation in the financial and banking sector is a fundamental pillar for achieving monetary stability and sustainable development.
While the Syrian Future Movement welcomes this important step, it emphasizes that the true success of these centers is not measured by the size of their facilities, but rather by their ability to achieve tangible change in the digital economy and sustain this impact in the long term.
Based on its national responsibility, the Syrian Future Movement recommends the following:
- Expanding the scope of innovation centers to include all Syrian governorates, and not limiting them to the capital, to ensure that opportunities reach young people everywhere and achieve equitable distribution of development opportunities, following the example of countries that have established networks of innovation centers across their regions.
- Linking “Tech Town” with universities and scientific research centers to serve as a platform for transforming academic research into commercial projects and strengthening cooperation between academia and industry, similar to the Silicon Valley model.
- Ensuring transparency in the process of incubating startups and distributing support, and announcing the acceptance criteria and evaluation mechanisms to prevent any corruption or favoritism and enhance the confidence of investors and entrepreneurs in the center.
- Providing specialized training programs in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and big data to bridge the gap between educational outcomes and labor market needs, and to ensure that national talent is capable of leading the digital economy.
The Syrian Future Movement affirms its support for this important step and reiterates that investing in technology and entrepreneurship is an investment in Syria’s future and a message of hope that the new Syria is capable of catching up with developed nations and building a sophisticated knowledge economy worthy of its people’s sacrifices and aspirations.
We believe that the Syrian government, the private sector, and civil society are called upon today to work together to ensure the success of this initiative and expand its scope, so that it may become a model to be emulated in the region and a source for improving citizens’ lives and building the new Syria on the foundations of knowledge, innovation, and sustainable development.
For its part, the Syrian Future Movement will remain supportive, critical, and observant of this initiative, striving to build the new Syria on the foundations of sustainable development and social justice.
