A strong Syria is beneficial for countries across the Middle East, even as trade routes through the Strait of Hormuz remain blocked, President Ahmad Al Shara said in Dubai on Tuesday.
His country has been at the heart of recent regional discussions over finding alternative routes for trade and oil in the Middle East, with talks emerging over linking its ports on the Mediterranean to Gulf states through Iraq.
“Syria turned into a topic of discussion among the media and politicians, from a problem to a great opportunity that people could benefit from and could participate in the strategic security of the region and trade routes,” Mr Al Shara told the Arab Media Summit in Dubai.
“Syria has transformed … from an exporter of Captagon and humans, and a source of conflict in the region, to a stable point, and people have been talking about it as a trade route, and a supply chain for energy between the East and West.”
He also said that Syria has the ability to feed 75 million people “and our population is 25 million”, adding that “with proper agricultural tools, Syria can feed around 100 million people”.
One of the biggest investors in Syria is the UAE. Syrian officials have received Emirati business delegations and met representatives of Abu Dhabi Ports to discuss the development of ports, border crossings and free zones since Mr Al Shara took power in December 2024. In May, the Syrian government and DP World signed an initial agreement worth $800 million to develop the port of Tartus.
Mr Al Shara welcomed the deal, saying the Emirati group had a “vision of seeing the importance of this port and tying in Jebel Ali to the port even before the issues in Hormuz”.
“This location was a historic hub for servicing the region's trade routes,” he added. The Syrian President said the recent lifting of US sanctions meant Syria “was reborn”. He added: “I think we're on the right path.”
Mr Al Shara was welcomed at the Arab Media Summit by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai.
In a statement on X, Sheikh Mohammed said relations between the two countries were very strong.
"We rejoice at Syria's return to the path of development," he said. "And we are optimistic about the return of civilized Syria to the global position it deserves. And we are optimistic about deep fraternal relations between the two friendly peoples."
Mr Al Shara's appearance on Tuesday came a day after Syrians took to the streets on Monday to demonstrate against a shock government decision to raise fuel prices by up to 40 per cent, extending the largest protests since the fall of Bashar Al Assad's regime in December 2024.
His appearance at the Dubai summit was his first in the emirate since taking office following visits to Abu Dhabi in April and July this year, and comes as Syria continues its efforts to rebuild its regional and international relationships following the fall of the Assad regime.
This year's Arab Media Summit, which began on Tuesday, runs until September 17 and is expected to bring together about 10,000 media professionals and industry figures, with more than 400 speakers from over 23 countries due to take part in more than 175 sessions.
Syria’s Minister of Information, Khaled Zaarour, was among senior Arab officials attending the event.
