Economic Expert: Syria Could Serve as a Gateway for Egyptian Exports to Turkey and Europe

Strategic Location and Trade Potential

Mohamed Al-Gohary, editor-in-chief of the economic magazine «Iqtisaduna», stated that the geographic positions of Syria and Egypt together create significant opportunities to boost bilateral and regional trade. Speaking to Syrian Al-Ikhbariya channel, Al-Gohary argued that Syria is well placed to function as a primary transit corridor for Egyptian products and exports destined for Turkey and Europe, while the Egyptian market simultaneously represents a valuable destination for Syrian goods.

Reviving the Maritime Route

Al-Gohary stressed the importance of restoring the sea route connecting Egypt's Port Said with the Syrian ports of Tartus and Latakia. He described this maritime link as a foundational element for expanding the flow of exports and imports between the two countries and for reducing overall shipping costs.

Syria's Rebuilding Needs and Available Opportunities

The analyst noted that Syria requires more than 240 billion dollars to finance its rebuilding process, with approximately 56 billion dollars needed for the housing sector alone. He also referenced an earlier cooperation agreement under which Egyptian natural gas was exported via Jordan to Syria and Lebanon, suggesting that such arrangements could be revived and expanded under a renewed bilateral framework.

Egypt's Construction Expertise

Al-Gohary highlighted Egypt's substantial track record in the construction sector, pointing to a base of around 5,800 contracting companies alongside accumulated experience in developing smart cities, free zones, and the New Administrative Capital. He argued that transferring this expertise to Syria could meaningfully support infrastructure development and help avoid starting the rebuilding process from scratch.

Syrian Economy Minister Meets Egyptian Chargé d'Affaires

On the official level, Syrian Minister of Economy and Industry Mohamed Nidal Al-Shaar met with Mohamed Al-Faqqi, the Egyptian chargé d'affaires in Damascus, to discuss ways of strengthening economic and trade coordination in the interest of both countries. The meeting addressed the expansion of cooperation across economic and industrial sectors, and the promotion of direct engagement between private sector institutions and business communities on both sides, with the aim of stimulating investment and increasing the volume of bilateral trade, according to a statement published by the Syrian Ministry of Economy through its official channels.