Al-Sharaa says Syria "born again" after sanctions lifted, outlines economic growth plans at Dubai summit
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa credited mediation by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Turkish President Erdogan with President Trump, for the "historic decision" to lift sanctions
Speaking at the Arab Media Summit 2026 in Dubai, al-Sharaa said Syria faced an exceptionally extensive sanctions regime, with some restrictions dating back to 1979. "I think there was perhaps no country in the world subjected to this quantity of sanctions; Syria, perhaps, and North Korea... There are even entire generations that have never experienced financial transactions, bank guarantees and things like that," al-Sharaa said.
The Syrian president credited regional diplomacy for the breakthrough, saying, "Through mediation carried out by Prince Mohammed bin Salman and President Erdogan with President Trump, a historic decision was taken and the sanctions on Syria were lifted. I believe Syria was born again after the sanctions were lifted, and the road opened before it. What remains now is policy, procedures, and making the right and sound choices."
Al-Sharaa said Syria's economy stood at around $60 billion in 2010 before falling to roughly $20 billion by 2024, then growing to $32 billion in 2025, with expectations of reaching $50 billion this year and returning to its 2010 level by 2027. "Our programs aim to bring the economy to around $200 billion over the following five to 10 years," he said, provided international conditions remain stable.
Al-Sharaa also noted that investors from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Kuwait are moving into Syria, citing planned investments including Emirati businessman Mohamed Alabbar and DP World's investment in the Port of Tartus.
He described Syria's potential as a regional food source, saying it could feed 70 to 75 million people without advanced technology and more than 100 million with it.
Addressing the media's role, al-Sharaa claimed that journalists carry "a great responsibility" to maintain credibility and avoid politicization. "People's minds are, in a sense, entrusted to journalists," he said, adding, "I believe this is, above all, the mission of journalists as messengers: to convey the facts to people as they are."