The Syrian-American “SYNC’25 II” conference aimed at promoting the technology industry kicked off in Damascus this month on August 8. Organized by Syrian-American entrepreneurs and engineers from Silicon Valley, California, in collaboration with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT), the event took place at the Seven Gates Hotel.
In his opening speech, MCIT Minister Abdulsalam Haykal emphasized Syria’s commitment to strengthening regional and international partnerships while highlighting the country’s eagerness to establish agreements in the technology sector.
The two-day conference, themed “Let’s Tech It Out,” aimed to connect Syrian professionals with the latest technological developments that—due to the years of war—had been largely inaccessible. It also aimed to foster an exchange of knowledge, professional skills, and development and collaboration between Syrian talent and leading experts in the global tech sector.
In his address to the conference, Haykal noted that the ministry is focused on building national competency and digitally empowering society to enhance productivity. He expressed the goal of transforming Syrian governorates into platforms for startups, harnessing the creative potential of Syrian youth. The minister reviewed several projects currently underway, including the BarqLink project and the Silk Link project, some of which are set to launch soon.
Creating Jobs and Expanding Skills
The conference attracted various ministers, including those from Finance, Education, Health, and Culture, along with experts, academics, and specialists in technology and communications. Businessmen from Syria, the Arab world, and beyond attended, as well as startup owners, entrepreneurs, youth, and media figures.
Basil al-Aja, a member of the organizing team from Silicon Valley, said the core idea is to create an effective communication network between Syrian talent and tech companies. This initiative aims to facilitate expertise exchange, enhance current skills in computer and tech fields, and generate job opportunities for creative youth. Maysara Taqiuddin, another team member, shared that their mission is to create 25,000 job opportunities for Syrians in information technology over the next five years.
International Investment in Local Talent and Markets
On the second day of the conference, sessions focused on the experiences of globally recognized technology companies and their strategies for continuous human resource development. Discussions included marketing techniques and models for enhancing company capabilities to reach a broader customer base.
Several businessmen and company owners expressed plans to establish tech firms in Syria and collaborate with government bodies and private companies to advance the telecommunications and technology sectors. They also emphasized the importance of providing innovative solutions for individuals with disabilities through technological tools.
Amir Daqo, a member of the conference’s organizing committee, reported that 20 technology companies from various countries presented job opportunities for Syrian youth during the event, conducting on-site interviews. He noted that while Syrian talent possesses strong technical expertise, access to the job market remains a challenge. Furthermore, some companies have initiated processes to open offices in Syria and provide financial support for local initiatives.
