The first Syrian-Lebanese Investment Forum brought more than 300 government officials and business leaders to Beirut to discuss reconstruction, investment and closer economic cooperation between the neighboring countries.
Sessions covered investment opportunities, sustainable development, transport and trade, with additional focus on infrastructure, energy, agriculture, industry and tourism.
Syria’s Economy and Industry Minister Nidal Al-Shaar said the forum could help reshape the countries’ economic relationship into a partnership based on shared interests and voluntary cooperation. He said that would require respect for each country’s sovereignty and independent decision-making.
Al-Shaar also cautioned that geographic proximity alone would not deliver economic integration. Stronger ties would need effective border crossings, reliable institutions, banks able to finance trade, investment-ready companies and capital capable of assessing risk, according to the announcement.
He identified transport, ports, logistics, agriculture, food processing, tourism, healthcare and technology as potential areas for joint value chains. Lebanon could provide business networks, services and expertise, while Syria offers a large market, production potential and overland access to regional markets, he said.
Al-Shaar added that Syria’s emerging economic model is centered on competition, private-sector partnerships and a state role focused on regulation and facilitation. The country is also working on legislative, financial and institutional reforms to improve its investment environment.
Source: Arab News
