Syrian-Japanese talks to enhance financial and economic cooperation

Meeting on the G7 Sidelines

Syrian Finance Minister Mohammad Yasser Barnieh held talks with Japanese Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama on the sidelines of the Group of Seven (G7) Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors meeting in Paris, focusing on ways to strengthen bilateral economic and financial cooperation.

The Syrian Ministry of Finance announced on Wednesday, 20 May 2026, that both sides expressed a shared interest in deepening economic and financial ties and expanding areas of cooperation in the coming period, in a manner that serves the mutual interests of both countries.

Japan's Role and the JICA Partnership

Minister Barnieh affirmed that Japan has consistently been a key partner to the Syrian people, particularly through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), and expressed Syria's appreciation for Japan's constructive role in humanitarian and development efforts over the past years.

He also conveyed Syria's aspiration to see greater Japanese engagement in rebuilding Syria and in supporting the economic recovery process, with a view to restoring institutions and achieving stability and sustainable development.

Areas of Future Cooperation

The two ministers discussed opportunities for future cooperation across the following areas:

• Financial reform and modernisation of tax and customs systems
• Institutional capacity building within government bodies
• Economic development and investment attraction

Both sides underscored the importance of sustaining dialogue and strengthening the bilateral partnership in the period ahead.

Progress on Syria's Debt File

At the conclusion of the meeting, tangible progress was recorded on the matter of Syria's outstanding debt obligations. The Japanese side demonstrated a broader understanding of Syria's position and expressed readiness to explore solutions that would help create the fiscal space Syria requires to support its recovery path.

Syria's Participation in the G7 Meeting

On Tuesday, 19 May, Barnieh participated in the G7 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors meeting in Paris, attending at the invitation of the French G7 Presidency and alongside the President of the World Bank and the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund.

In a closed session, Barnieh presented the financial reforms being pursued by the Syrian government and the challenges currently facing the country, reaffirming Syria's commitment to integrating into the global economic and financial system and to creating a conducive environment for investment and sustainable development.