Private Sector Dialogue: Recommendations for Economic Reform

The first National Private Sector Dialogue Conference of 2026 concluded its proceedings at the Damascus Convention Palace after three days of extensive sessions. The conference brought together representatives of the Syrian government, chambers of commerce and industry, economic federations, and business figures from inside and outside Syria, alongside international development partners. The event was organized by the Ministry of Economy and Industry in cooperation with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and with the partnership of the Government of Japan.

Economic Vision for the Coming Phase

Participants affirmed that the future of the Syrian economy must be grounded in productivity, efficiency, transparency, competition, regulated openness, equal opportunity, and the prevention of monopoly. They called for an effective partnership between the public and private sectors within transparent institutions, clear rules, accountable governance, and stable economic and regulatory policies. Participants emphasized that the private sector is not merely a beneficiary of the recovery process, but a principal partner in job creation, reviving value chains, activating markets, and supporting social stability.

Investment Foundations and the Legal Environment

Participants noted that the protection of private property, respect for contracts, and adherence to legal obligations are essential pillars for building trust, stimulating domestic investment, and attracting Syrian capital toward productive activities. They called for improvements to the legal, regulatory, and investment environment through streamlining procedures, reducing administrative complexity, and reinforcing policy stability.

Participants also stressed the importance of expanding access to finance and modernizing financial and banking systems to support small and medium enterprises and productive investment. They underlined the need to facilitate trade and market access by developing logistics services, simplifying customs procedures, strengthening export capacity, and deepening integration with regional and international markets.

Investing in Human Capital

On the theme of human resource development, participants highlighted the importance of investing in human capital, skills, and innovation, and of aligning education and training with labor market needs. They called for expanding opportunities for youth, women, and entrepreneurs, and for engaging the Syrian diaspora within structured institutional frameworks that transform their expertise into a driver of economic recovery and growth.

Institutionalizing Dialogue and Follow-up Mechanisms

Participants described the conference as the first comprehensive national forum for organized private sector dialogue held inside Damascus, and a launching point for an institutional process intended to evolve into a regular annual forum and a sustainable platform for shaping economic priorities. They called for the establishment of an institutional follow-up mechanism through a dedicated committee led by the Ministry of Economy and Industry, with participation from both public and private sector representatives, tasked with monitoring the implementation of recommendations and issuing periodic progress reports.

Participants affirmed the need to institutionalize public-private dialogue so that it becomes a permanent instrument of economic governance rather than a series of ad hoc consultations.

Sustained Cooperation Between the State and the Private Sector

Participants concluded that building a more resilient and growth-capable Syrian economy requires sustained cooperation between the state and the private sector, drawing on national expertise and linking economic reforms to the interests, needs, and development opportunities of citizens. They called on public institutions to continue creating an enabling and stimulating environment for business and investment through gradual reform, greater regulatory clarity, and the opening of regular consultation channels with all relevant stakeholders.