Iraqi trade delegation meets Syrian officials in Damascus to explore investment opportunities

DAMASCUS, Syria — An Iraqi trade delegation met on Wednesday in the Syrian capital with Alaa El Ali, head of the Syrian Federation of Chambers of Commerce, to discuss investment opportunities inside Syria, mechanisms to expand bilateral trade and partnerships between the two countries' business communities, Syria's official news agency SANA reported. The sides focused on collaborations aligned with regional economic recovery and serving mutual interests, according to SANA. Iraqi delegation members said they appreciated the incentives offered to Syrian investors and indicated that economic and commercial cooperation between the two countries could expand in the coming period. El Ali said an attractive investment environment had been built through state-approved laws and incentives, with the private sector's role in the development process being supported. Usama El Kadi, First Deputy at Syria's Ministry of Economy and Industry, said on May 22 that the Iraqi market represented a strategic opportunity for the Syrian economy and that strengthening the commercial partnership was a stated goal. Iraq is among Syria's most important external neighboring markets due to geographic and social ties. According to the Iraq-Syria Business Council, trade via the Al-Qaim border crossing reached approximately $1 billion in 2024.