Sharaa: Saudi Arabia Is a Destination for Economists, Syria’s Key to the World

Syria's interim President Ahmed Al-Sharaa (L) speaks during the Future Investment Initiative (FII9) conference in Riyadh on October 29, 2025. (AFP)
Syria's interim President Ahmed Al-Sharaa (L) speaks during the Future Investment Initiative (FII9) conference in Riyadh on October 29, 2025. (AFP)
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Sharaa: Saudi Arabia Is a Destination for Economists, Syria’s Key to the World

Syria's interim President Ahmed Al-Sharaa (L) speaks during the Future Investment Initiative (FII9) conference in Riyadh on October 29, 2025. (AFP)
Syria's interim President Ahmed Al-Sharaa (L) speaks during the Future Investment Initiative (FII9) conference in Riyadh on October 29, 2025. (AFP)

Syrian interim President Ahmed Al-Sharaa underlined on Wednesday Saudi Arabia’s “major importance to the region”, describing it as “Syria’s key to the world.”

Sharaa made his remarks at a plenary session at the Future Investment Initiative in Riyadh. The session was attended by Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister.

Sharaa added that security and stability are tied to economic development, “and this is what Saudi Arabia represents at this time.”

“Saudi Arabia has great importance in the region, and with its new vision, led by Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, it has become a destination for economists in the region,” he remarked, according to Syria’s state news agency SANA.

“Our first external visit was to Saudi Arabia because we recognize that the key to the world lies here in the Kingdom,” he continued.

Moreover, Sharaa said Syria is pivotal to the region’s stability and Syria's stability is tied to economic development.

Syrian interim President Ahmed Al-Sharaa speaks at the 9th edition of the Future Investment Initiative (FII9) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, October 29, 2025. (Future Investment Initiative Media Center/Handout via Reuters)

“The world has witnessed Syria’s failure over the past 14 years ... and it has today opened a new chapter and rapidly reclaimed its regional position due to the support from friendly countries, led by Saudi Arabia,” he stated.

“We have amended Syria’s investment laws to become among the best in the world, and within the first six months, the country attracted investments worth $28 billion,” he revealed.

Syria boasts immense investment opportunities in real estate, tourism and agriculture, he went on to say. “The path of Syria’s reconstruction lies in investments and I am banking on my people,” he stressed.

“I don’t want Syria to be a burden to anyone. I want it to rebuild itself by itself, we will not rely on aid, but on investment,” he declared.



Coalition: Ballistic Missile Launched by Terrorist Houthis at Khamis Mushait Destroyed

Coalition official Spokesperson Major General Turki Al-Malki. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Coalition official Spokesperson Major General Turki Al-Malki. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Coalition: Ballistic Missile Launched by Terrorist Houthis at Khamis Mushait Destroyed

Coalition official Spokesperson Major General Turki Al-Malki. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Coalition official Spokesperson Major General Turki Al-Malki. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

The Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile fired by the Iran-backed terrorist Houthi militia towards Saudi Arabia.

Coalition official Spokesperson Major General Turki Al-Malki said the missile was fired at Khamis Mushait.


Saudi Crown Prince Receives Syrian President in Riyadh for Talks on Boosting Relations

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and Syrian President Ahmad Al-Sharaa meet in Riyadh on Tuesday. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and Syrian President Ahmad Al-Sharaa meet in Riyadh on Tuesday. (SPA)
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Saudi Crown Prince Receives Syrian President in Riyadh for Talks on Boosting Relations

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and Syrian President Ahmad Al-Sharaa meet in Riyadh on Tuesday. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and Syrian President Ahmad Al-Sharaa meet in Riyadh on Tuesday. (SPA)

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, received in Riyadh on Tuesday Syrian President Ahmad Al-Sharaa for talks bilateral relations.

They tackled prospects for cooperation between their two countries, as well as promising opportunities to boost cooperation across various fields. They also discussed the latest developments in the region.

Attending the meeting were Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, Minister of State, Cabinet Member, and National Security Advisor Dr. Musaed bin Mohammed Al-Aiban, Secretary to the Crown Prince Dr. Bandar bin Obaid Al-Rasheed, and Advisor at the Royal Court Khalid bin Farid Hadrawi.

Also present were Syrian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Asaad Al-Shaibani and Chargé d'Affaires of the Syrian Embassy in Riyadh Mohsen Mahbash.

Al-Sharaa had arrived in Saudi Arabia earlier on Tuesday on an official visit.


Saudi, Italian Defense Ministers Discuss Military Cooperation

 Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz. (SPA)
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Saudi, Italian Defense Ministers Discuss Military Cooperation

 Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz. (SPA)

Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz held on Tuesday a telephone call with his Italian counterpart Guido Crosetto to discuss military and defense cooperation between their countries and ways to develop them.

They also reviewed the latest developments in the region and efforts to support regional and international security and stability.