The recent visit of a Syrian economic delegation to Uzbekistan marks a pivotal step toward establishing a broad economic partnership between the two countries. Officials and business leaders say the rapprochement is expected to strengthen trade, industry and investment, while supporting Syria’s economic recovery and long-term stability.
Luay al-Ashqar, a member of the board of directors of the Damascus Chamber of Commerce, described Uzbekistan as one of the fastest-growing economies in Central Asia, making it a suitable partner for Syria as it seeks to diversify its economic relations and reduce reliance on a limited number of markets.
Opening Central Asian Markets
Ashqar explained the delegation’s visit is part of a broader strategy of expansion into Central Asian markets and creating new outlets for Syrian exports, particularly in the agricultural, food processing, textile and pharmaceutical sectors. The initiative also aims to attract investment into productive industries, helping to revive the domestic production cycle and create employment opportunities.
He added that Uzbekistan’s strategic geographic position and integration into regional and international transport corridors, especially through its participation in China’s Belt and Road Initiative, provide Syria with a gateway to wider Asian markets and potential indirect access to European destinations.
Industrial Cooperation and Knowledge Transfer
Muhannad al-Zanbarji, an economic expert in strategic planning, highlighted the importance of the discussions held in the Uzbek capital, Tashkent. He noted that the understandings reached are expected to generate tangible benefits for Syria’s industrial sector.
These include prospects for joint industrial ventures and the transfer of Uzbek expertise, particularly in the food and textile industries. He added studies are underway to reactivate or modernize industrial facilities within Syria to enhance local value added and gradually shift the economy from a consumption-based model toward a production-oriented one.
Agricultural Collaboration and Trade Corridors
In agriculture, Zanbarji said cooperation will focus on exchanging expertise in farming and irrigation techniques, alongside the import of seeds, fertilizers and modern agricultural technologies aimed at improving productivity and crop yields. The partnership also envisions strengthening direct communication between chambers of commerce and industry in both countries to facilitate knowledge exchange in industrial and commercial management.
He further noted that utilizing Syrian ports as access points for Uzbekistan to the Mediterranean Sea presents a strategic opportunity to reinforce Syria’s position as a regional trade corridor, effectively linking Central Asian markets with Arab markets and enhancing the country’s broader economic relevance.
An economic delegation of 25 Syrian businessmen visited Uzbekistan on February 11, during which several memoranda of understanding were signed to promote economic and investment cooperation and establish cross-sector partnerships between the two nations.
