Syria and Uzbekistan have formalized a new partnership aimed at strengthening their economic and trade relations through the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to establish a joint economic and trade committee. The agreement was announced on September 21, 2026, with the goal of expanding investment, trade, and commercial cooperation between the two countries.
The committee is designed to serve as a regular platform for monitoring bilateral economic activities, facilitating the exchange of information, identifying business opportunities, addressing challenges, and proposing initiatives to enhance trade and partnerships. According to a statement from the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA), the committee will meet annually, alternating between Syria and Uzbekistan, and will include participation from the private sector. This structure aims to move beyond dialogue to develop practical projects and partnerships.
This MoU comes as Syria’s economy shows signs of recovery. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has projected double-digit growth for Syria in 2026, with expectations of sustained expansion into 2027. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan’s economy expanded by 7.7 percent in 2025, attracting $43.1 billion in foreign investment during the same year, according to Uzbekistan’s investment promotion agency. Syria intends to leverage Uzbekistan’s experience in attracting foreign capital and developing industrial capacity as part of its own economic revitalization efforts.
The Syrian Ministry of Economy and Industry indicated that the agreement follows extensive discussions focused on boosting industrial and commercial projects and attracting investment. Uzbek expertise in supporting investors throughout the entire process—from opportunity identification to project completion—has been a key model for Syria’s strategic economic planning.
The establishment of this joint committee signals a deepening of cooperation between Damascus and Tashkent as Syria seeks to rebuild its economy through diversified partnerships and investment sources. Both countries appear committed to fostering a more structured approach to bilateral trade and economic collaboration moving forward.