Syrians across public and private sectors welcomed Washington’s decision to officially lift economic sanctions on Syria, a move hailed by the foreign ministry as a “positive step in the right direction” politically and seen by analysts as a signal of an economic turning point after 14 years of conflict and collapse.
In a statement, Syria’s foreign ministry praised the US government’s decision to remove long-standing sanctions on the country and its people, calling it a gesture that could help ease the humanitarian and economic suffering endured for over a decade.
“This is a positive step toward alleviating the country’s humanitarian and economic burden,” the ministry said, expressing gratitude to “all the countries, institutions and peoples who stood by Syria.”
The ministry added that the coming phase would focus on rebuilding what it described as the destruction left by the “former regime,” and on restoring Syria’s rightful place in the region and the world.
Analysts viewed the move as a potential turning point, with some describing it as the beginning of an “unprecedented golden era” for Syria’s economy following years of war, international isolation and domestic collapse.
A delegation of American investors is expected to visit Syria next month, Syrian businessman and head of the Damascus Chamber of Commerce Issam al-Ghraywati told Asharq Al-Awsat, signalling growing international interest in the country’s post-sanctions recovery.
“Investment opportunities in Syria are significant, particularly in technology and reconstruction, which is estimated at over $400 billion. That translates into years of job creation,” Ghraywati said, noting an uptick in visits from investor delegations, especially from Gulf countries and the Syrian diaspora.
Ghraywati, a Syrian-American entrepreneur who returned to Syria after the fall of the Assad regime while his family and business interests remain in Los Angeles, said US President Donald Trump’s use of executive authority to freeze sanctions could pave the way for their full abolishment through congressional approval.
He described Washington’s move as a “major opportunity” that could usher in an “unprecedented golden era” for Syria’s economy, including the reopening of foreign embassies, the return of international banks and businesses, and renewed engagement from Arab and foreign investors.
Ghraywati also pointed to the potential involvement of the World Bank in backing investment and rebuilding efforts.
“This creates a competitive free-market environment, generates jobs, brings down consumer prices, and ensures the availability of production inputs and goods,” he said.
Expressing confidence in Syria’s new leadership, Ghraywati called the return of expatriate investors a “national duty.”
The decision to lift US sanctions on Syria for a limited period is a tactical move within a broader American strategy aimed at reshaping regional dynamics, according to Abdul Hamid Tawfiq, head of the Al-Nahda Center for Research and Studies in Damascus.
Tawfiq said the temporary but comprehensive sanctions relief could enable Syria to distance itself from Iran’s influence in the Middle East, scale back Russian involvement in the country, and limit economic cooperation with China, all developments that align with US strategic interests.
“This step is a calculated tactical measure within the framework of Washington’s upcoming regional strategy,” he told Asharq Al-Awsat.
“It opens the door for Syria to break away from the Iranian project, reduce Russia’s current and future role, and slow down its growing economic ties with China.”
He added that the US move also aligns with Turkish objectives, noting that Ankara sees even symbolic stability in Syrian-American relations as a potential boost to its own regional interests.
