Post-Assad push: Syria aims to rebuild economy with reforms

Shafaq News/ Syria’s transitional government launched a
series of reforms aimed at reviving the country’s struggling economy, with a
focus on restructuring state-owned enterprises, an official at the Ministry of
Economy and Industry said on Saturday.

The ministry’s media office director told Shafaq News that
economic revitalization has become a top priority for the new administration
following the ousting of Bashar al-Assad. “We have begun dismantling
institutions that hindered economic liberalization and are working to modernize
those that can contribute to a more open and competitive market.”

The transitional authorities have also introduced a revised
customs tariff designed to support local manufacturing and boost domestic
production, he noted.

“Since the change in government, Syria has received hundreds
of investment delegations from Arab and international companies,” he pointed
out, adding that the ministry is preparing plans to restart shuttered factories
or open them up to private investment.

The official further affirmed that the government is
prioritizing small and medium enterprises and encouraging the return of skilled
professionals and entrepreneurs who can contribute to building a sustainable
economy.

Previously, the ministry had outlined an eight-point roadmap
for revitalizing Syria’s industrial base, including privatizing state-run
enterprises, prioritizing the energy sector, attracting both domestic and
foreign investment, improving product quality, expanding trade with friendly
nations—particularly Iraq—and opening new export markets for Syrian goods.

Despite the ousting of al-Assad in December 2024, Syria
continues to grapple with the burden of extensive Western sanctions that were
initially imposed during his regime. While the United States has eased certain
restrictions to allow humanitarian aid and limited energy transactions, the
broader sanctions framework remains largely intact.

International bodies, including the United Nations, have
called for a reevaluation of these sanctions to facilitate Syria’s recovery and
reintegration into the global economy.