Warsaw: Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa said on Monday that his country is moving toward a new economic program and a reconstruction phase, stressing the importance of benefiting from the expertise of the Syrian diaspora in Germany. His remarks came in an interview with the state-run Syrian news channel on the sidelines of his visit to Germany, where he arrived on Sunday evening as part of a tour that will also take him to the United Kingdom on Monday and Tuesday.
According to Anadolu Agency, al-Sharaa stated that there is a significant interest in strengthening economic relations, which was evident during his meetings with major companies in Germany. He emphasized that political connections are crucial, with economic ties being the foremost priority, highlighting the achievements in Syrian-German relations.
Al-Sharaa pointed out that Germany, as the world's third-largest economy, holds a prominent position in various industrial domains. The country is renowned for its advanced technologies in agriculture, telecommunications, and artificial intelligence. He underscored the necessity for Syria to leverage the expertise of the Syrian community in Germany as the nation embarks on a new economic and reconstruction program.
A statement from the Syrian presidency revealed that al-Sharaa held a roundtable meeting with representatives of several German companies. The meeting was attended by Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani, Economy Minister Mohammad Nidal al-Shaar, Energy Minister Mohammad al-Bashir, and Emergency Minister Raed al-Saleh. Proposals were presented by the companies across multiple sectors, including energy, finance, security, digital transformation, construction, health care, and logistics.
Several memorandums of understanding were signed between the Syrian side and the participating companies. Germany had reopened its embassy in Damascus on March 25, 2025, following a 13-year closure. The Syrian government is actively pursuing improved economic conditions by signing international agreements, attracting investors, and re-engaging with the international community after a 14-year conflict initiated by the ousted regime of Bashar al-Assad, which lasted from 2011 to 2024.