UAE-Syria trade doubles in 2025, poised for growth: minister

Where Diplomacy Meets News

UAE-Syria trade doubles in 2025, poised for growth: minister

May 12, 2026

DUBAI,— Trade between the United Arab Emirates and Syria more than doubled in 2025, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade Thani Al Zeyoudi said on Tuesday during an investment forum in Damascus that highlighted improving relations between the two countries.

Al Zeyoudi told the first Syrian Emirati Investment Forum that non oil trade between the UAE and Syria reached a record $1.4 billion in 2025, marking a 132% increase from the previous year.

He said the growth created new opportunities for broader trade cooperation between both sides.

Officials from Syria and the UAE also reached preliminary agreements covering dozens of investment projects during the two day event.

The projects involve tourism, construction, infrastructure, agriculture, aviation and logistics.

The forum took place at the Presidential Palace in Damascus and was attended by Syrian President Ahmed al Sharaa, ministers and senior officials from both countries.

The UAE, which has long opposed Islamist groups in the region, had expanded ties with Syria more cautiously than Saudi Arabia and Qatar after the new Syrian government came to power under al Sharaa.

Al Sharaa, also known as Abu Mohammed al Golani, was previously linked to al Qaeda, ISIS and later founded al Nusra Front. The group was initially connected to al Qaeda before changing its name to Hayat Tahrir al Sham, or HTS.

In April, the UAE released former Syrian rebel commander Issam Buwaydani after he spent nearly a year in detention in the Gulf state under undisclosed circumstances. The move came a day after al Sharaa visit to the UAE and held talks with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Relations between Abu Dhabi and Damascus improved more quickly after the start of the Iran war. The UAE faced Iranian attacks during the conflict, while al Sharaa publicly expressed support for the Gulf state.

In April, Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to the UAE president, said Syria was among the Arab countries that had taken a positive position toward the UAE.

Mohamed Alabbar, founder of Emirati developer Emaar, said the company was studying projects in Damascus valued at up to $12 billion, along with projects on Syria’s coast worth as much as $7 billion.

Syrian Economy and Industry Minister Nidal Shaar said both countries agreed to form a Syrian technical delegation that will visit the UAE soon to prepare a full implementation plan for the recent agreements.

Etihad Airways announced on Monday it would restart flights between Abu Dhabi and Damascus in mid June. The airline halted operations in 2012 after the Syrian conflict began.

Syria has been seeking foreign investment to rebuild its economy after more than a decade of war and Western sanctions, most of which were removed late last year.

Damascus has also signed several billion dollar agreements with Gulf investors and U.S. companies, including Chevron.

(With files from Reuters)