The Damascus Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with JCI Syria, hosted the “National Entrepreneurship Conference” to address the significant challenges facing young entrepreneurs in the country and outline new support mechanisms. The event culminated in the announcement of the Chamber’s plans to launch a dedicated entrepreneurship award and a new business accelerator.
Quick Facts
- Conference held to address Syrian entrepreneurship challenges.
- Damascus Chamber of Commerce announces new accelerator.
- An entrepreneurship award is also planned.
Spotlighting Local Talent
Held under the theme “Reading the Challenges and Foreseeing Opportunities,” the Damascus-based conference provided a platform for eight local startups to pitch their ventures. Five of these startups advanced to the final stage of the global Creative Young Entrepreneur (CYE) competition, an initiative by JCI designed to connect innovative young founders with international opportunities.
The event also included a specialized lecture by JCI member Nawaf Zeidan, who shared practical advice with founders on navigating the local business environment and increasing their chances of success.
A Push to Reverse Brain Drain
In his opening remarks, Essam Al-Ghariwati, President of the Damascus Chamber of Commerce, acknowledged that a historical lack of support for innovators and entrepreneurs has led to a significant brain drain. He noted that many Syrian talents have gone on to contribute positively to the economies of other nations.
Al-Ghariwati emphasized that current economic developments in Syria, particularly around free trade, present new opportunities for young Syrians. He affirmed the Chamber’s commitment to connecting project owners with investors interested in the Syrian market to help transform ideas into successful businesses.
Accelerator and Award in the Pipeline
Amer Kharboutli, General Manager of the Damascus Chamber of Commerce, confirmed the Chamber’s new strategy to more actively foster the startup ecosystem. He revealed that the organization is working to launch both an entrepreneurship award and a business accelerator in the near future.
According to Kharboutli, these initiatives are being developed in collaboration with relevant authorities to provide structured support for early-stage companies and strengthen their role in driving economic growth.
JCI Syria Champions Youth-Led Innovation
Samia Sarkis, President of JCI Syria, highlighted the importance of backing youth-led projects to spur innovation, create jobs, and bolster the national economy.
She stated that empowering young founders helps turn systemic challenges into viable opportunities, building a generation capable of contributing effectively to the country’s reconstruction and development.
About Damascus Chamber of Commerce
Established in 1830, the Damascus Chamber of Commerce is one of the oldest trade chambers in the region. It works to support the business sector by providing advisory and information services, representing the interests of merchants and companies, preparing studies on economic legislation, and promoting foreign trade relations.
About JCI Syria
Junior Chamber International (JCI) is a global non-profit network of young active citizens aged 18 to 40, present in over 100 countries. It aims to develop the business skills of young people to create a positive impact. The Syrian chapter was founded in 2004 and focuses on training and empowering young leaders to activate their community role.
Source: SANA
