Syria and Saudi Arabia announced Saturday a renewed commitment to economic cooperation aimed at mutual growth and job creation for Syrians, following a recent easing of Western sanctions on Damascus.
The declaration came during a visit to the Syrian capital by Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, who held talks with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa and other senior officials. Prince Faisal’s trip marks a significant step in reestablishing ties between the two nations.
Prince Faisal described the sanctions relief as a chance to “reactivate the Syrian economy that had been at a standstill for decades.” Leading an economic and business delegation, he said Saudi entrepreneurs will soon travel to Syria to explore opportunities in key sectors such as oil, infrastructure, telecommunications, IT, and agriculture.
He also announced that Saudi Arabia and Qatar plan to provide financial support to Syria’s public sector employees, though specific details were not disclosed. “We assert that the kingdom will be a leading state among countries that will stand by Syria in its march for reconstruction and economic revival,” he said.
Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani echoed those sentiments, declaring that Damascus and Riyadh have entered a “new era of cooperation.”
The high-level meeting followed Syria’s signing of a major agreement with a consortium of Qatari, Turkish, and U.S. firms to develop a 5,000-megawatt energy project aimed at rebuilding much of the country’s electricity grid. Earlier this month, President al-Sharaa also met with President Trump in Saudi Arabia, signaling growing international engagement with Syria’s new leadership.
