Syrian President al-Sharaa: The country has once again become an indispensable hub for global trade routes

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa announced that his country has regained its strategic role as an indispensable hub in the global trade corridor market. This significant announcement was made during a roundtable meeting co-chaired with French President Emmanuel Macron at the People's Palace in Damascus. The meeting was attended by leading figures from the global industry, economy, maritime transport, aviation, and energy sectors. This joint event organized by the two leaders is considered a concrete indicator that relations between Syria and France have entered a new era. The main focus of the discussions is the initiation of a comprehensive economic recovery and reconstruction process in the country.

While welcoming the participants to the "New Syria" during the ceremonies, President al-Sharaa emphasized that his country is determined to open its doors wide to regional and global investors. Drawing attention to Syria's unique geographical position connecting the Mediterranean to the Persian Gulf and Iraq, he stated that this situation makes the country extremely valuable logistically. He underlined how much the world needs safe and stable new trade routes, especially following international tensions such as the recent Strait of Hormuz crises. In this context, he expressed that Syria's geopolitical position once again holds vital importance for global supply chains. al-Sharaa added to his words that they hope this vision will help the development of both Syria and the region's economies by increasing commercial integration between countries.

It is reported that the Syrian government has taken concrete steps to strengthen its port infrastructure and has gained the trust of international companies in this field. It was recalled that last year, the French maritime transport giant CMA CGM group signed a 230 million Euro investment agreement to develop the Port of Latakia. al-Sharaa proved investor confidence by announcing that before even a year has passed since this agreement, the company decided to invest an additional 200 million Euro to increase the port's capacity. The modernization of port operations and the acceleration of infrastructure work aim to increase the volume of Syria's maritime trade through the Mediterranean. These steps are seen as a move that will greatly strengthen not only the country's domestic market but also its commercial integration with neighboring countries.

In the process of rebuilding the country, it is planned that not only the transportation and logistics sectors but also critical areas such as aviation, energy, and digital infrastructure will undergo a complete transformation. Syria is working on a comprehensive roadmap aimed at renewing its civilian air fleet, bringing existing airports up to modern standards, and making air navigation systems compatible with global norms. In addition, mega projects such as initiating energy exploration activities in the country's territorial waters and the complete reconstruction of national electricity and water networks are on the agenda. Furthermore, social and technological steps such as the modernization of university hospitals, the revitalization of the food industry, and the updating of digital infrastructure and population registration systems are at the center of this vision. The government aims to elevate this comprehensive development plan to a regional breakthrough phase by turning industrial cities into attractive production bases for foreign companies.

The Syrian administration desires this strategic partnership established with France to serve as a model for the new diplomatic and commercial relations the country will establish with Europe and the entire world. President al-Sharaa stated that pragmatic and realistic steps based on mutual commercial benefit must be taken in foreign policy, emphasizing that his country now focuses on partnerships that will provide concrete benefits to its people rather than empty rhetoric. This approach reflects Syria's goal of normalizing its economic ties with the international community and healing the wounds of the long-running civil war. The discussions held with French President Emmanuel Macron and the various investment agreements planned to be signed are considered an important step for Syria to reintegrate into the global economic system. This process also aims to strengthen the institutional and legal infrastructure of a modern investment environment that the country is trying to build through a sovereign decision.