The United Arab Emirates is seeking to increase its role in Syria via investment. Among the many countries that have embraced the new government in Damascus, the UAE has taken a more cautious approach.
On Tuesday, a large UAE delegation held meetings in Syria. This illustrates how Abu Dhabi, the UAE’s capital, is moving toward investment and important ties with Damascus.
The UAE’s more cautious approach has been in contrast to Turkey and Saudi Arabia, which have gone all in to work with Ahmed al-Sharaa’s government.
The UAE, which tends to be concerned about political Islam, especially the Muslim Brotherhood, has been taking more of a public “wait and see” approach. This also may be because Abu Dhabi seemed to believe the Assad regime would integrate into the region after 2020, only to realize the regime was very weak when it fell in December 2024.
“Syria ‘s President Ahmad al-Sharaa received Tuesday at the People’s Palace in Damascus a high-ranking delegation from the United Arab Emirates, headed by Minister of Foreign Trade Thani Al Zeyoudi,” Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA), Syria’s official news agency, reported Tuesday.
“The delegation included Omar Al Darei, chairman of the General Authority for Islamic Affairs, Endowments, and Zakat; and Minister of State Noura Al Kaabi, along with senior government officials and business leaders,” the report said.
“Earlier today, in the presence of President al-Sharaa, the second day of the first Syrian-Emirati Investment Forum was held at the People’s Palace,” SANA reported. “The event, organized by the Syrian Investment Authority, aims to explore prospects for investment and economic cooperation between the two brotherly countries.”
UAE expanding ties with Syria
The talks focused on expanding economic and investment cooperation and included the two-day Syrian-Emirati Investment Forum at the People’s Palace in Damascus.
“The second day of the forum [included] dialogue sessions focused on investment opportunities and economic partnership between Syria and the United Arab Emirates across multiple sectors,” SANA reported.
Syrian Economy Minister Nidal al-Shaar praised the visit by the Emiratis.
“He said the two sides agreed on practical steps aimed at moving toward deeper development and investment cooperation,” the report said.
This illustrates Emirati confidence in Syria.
A Syrian-Emirati Business Council is expected to expand cooperation in economic legislation, investment regulations, technology, digital transformation, governance, and digital payment systems, SANA reported.
“The talks also addressed cooperation in microfinance programs supporting small businesses, vocational training initiatives, and the development of modern industrial zones,” the report said.
UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi said Damascus held a special historical and cultural significance.
“Al Zeyoudi said trade exchange between Syria and the UAE reached $1.4 billion in 2025, describing the figure as evidence of expanding economic opportunities between the two countries,” SANA reported.
The UAE delegation was greeted warmly in Syria. Damascus wants diverse investment and doesn’t want to be completely beholden to only one country.
As such, investment from Turkey, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Europe, and other countries is important. The Gulf doesn’t always agree on various policies, but many countries in the region want Syria to be successful.
Syria is an important country historically. The Syrian civil war was seen as a disaster by many countries.
Some countries basically took the approach of embracing the Assad regime when it appeared to be regaining control of Syria after 2018. Assad essentially had been out in the cold after 2012. The regime was weak, however, and it collapsed in December 2024.
While some have been concerned about the role of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the former al-Qaeda affiliate, and Sharaa in running Syria, worried about his past connections to extremists, many countries have given Damascus the benefit of the doubt.
As such, the UAE’s new moves represent a regional trend. Since the UAE also has positive ties with Israel, this could foster Israel-Syria talks.
Syria’s foreign minister recently mentioned Israel-Syria relations, indicating that Damascus appears open to discussions but also wants Israel to restrain its aggressive actions near the Golan Heights.