Al-Sharaa Meets UAE and Arab Business Leaders on Syria Reconstruction Investment

Syrian transitional President Ahmad al-Sharaa held separate meetings with prominent Arab investors to advance Syria's reconstruction agenda. He met Egyptian businessman Hassan Allam, whose firm is exploring construction and infrastructure project opportunities in Syria. He also met Emirati businessman Muhammad Ibrahim al-Shaibani to discuss potential investments in real estate, tourism, and financial services. The meetings come against the backdrop of the confirmed DP World $800 million deal to develop Tartus port — one of the largest single foreign investment commitments to post-Assad Syria. Syria's overall reconstruction needs are estimated by the World Bank at $216 billion. Investor confidence has been boosted by Syria posting its first budget surplus since 1990 at end of 2025, and by the lifting of US Caesar Act sanctions and EU trade restrictions. Gulf and Arab capital is positioning ahead of what is expected to be a broader international reconstruction fund for Syria.