U.S.-Syria Business Council

07/22/2026

On July 13, the U.S.-Syria Business Council convened the First Annual U.S.-Syria Business Forum in Damascus, bringing together high-level government officials, business leaders, investors, and industry experts to explore practical pathways for investment, economic reform, and long-term private-sector collaboration across Syria's evolving economy.

With more than 500 attendees, the Forum marked a significant milestone in strengthening U.S.-Syria commercial dialogue and advancing new opportunities for trade and investment. Hosted in partnership with our Diamond Sponsor, Squire Patton Boggs, the full-day conference featured 8 panel discussions, more than 40 speakers, an evening networking dinner reception, a dedicated B2B Matchmaking Hub with over 12 participating companies, and a series of private side meetings connecting visiting companies with senior Syrian officials.

The program featured keynote addresses by H.E. Dr. Nidal Al-Shaar, Minister of Economy and Industry; U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Jacob McGee; Yousef Qiblawy, CEO of the Syria Petroleum Company; Timothy Lenderking, Principal at Squire Patton Boggs and former Senior U.S. State Department Advisor; as well as USSYBC leaders, Issam Ghreiwati and Jay Salkini.

Throughout the day, participants also heard from senior Syrian officials, including the Ministers of Finance, Communications and Information Technology, and Transportation, the Governor of the Central Bank of Syria, the Chairman of the Syrian Investment Authority, and the Director of American Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates.

The Forum took place at a pivotal moment in U.S.-Syria relations, following President Trump's announcement of his intention to remove Syria from the U.S. State Sponsors of Terrorism (SST) list. Against this backdrop, the discussions reflected growing momentum toward deeper commercial engagement and private-sector partnership between the United States and Syria.

The U.S.-Syria Business Council remains committed to serving as a bridge between American and Syrian businesses by convening high-level dialogue, facilitating strategic partnerships, supporting responsible investment, and promoting an open, transparent, and investment-ready business environment. We look forward to building on the momentum generated at this inaugural Forum and continuing these conversations in the months ahead.

Finally, we extend our sincere gratitude to our sponsors and partners for helping make the inaugural U.S.-Syria Business Forum a tremendous success: the Syrian Ministry of Economy and Industry, Squire Patton Boggs, Chevron, GardaWorld, The Syria Report, the Syria Mosaic Foundation, Constellis, Jubaco CAT, Bidayah, SYNC, M&M Al Bader Est., Audere, Mukan Group, MFA Logistics, the Trans-Atlantic Strategic Programs Association, Synergy, the Syrian American Council, and Motif.

07/14/2026

07/06/2026

We’re one week away from the event of the year.

The U.S.-Syria Business Council is proud to partner with Squire Patton Boggs for the First Annual U.S.-Syria Business Forum, taking place on July 13 in Damascus.

This landmark conference will bring together American, Syrian, and international business leaders, investors, and decision-makers to explore new opportunities, strengthen commercial ties, and support Syria’s economic future.

We are grateful to Squire Patton Boggs for their partnership and support in making this historic event possible.

Interested in attending? Apply here: https://ussybc.org/business-forum.php

07/04/2026

🇺🇸Happy Fourth of July from the U.S.-Syria Business Council!

As America celebrates its 250th birthday, we honor the values of freedom, opportunity, and entrepreneurship that continue to inspire innovation and progress in the United States.

We look forward to strengthening U.S.-Syria commercial ties and advancing partnerships that benefit both nations for years to come.

Wishing everyone a safe and happy Independence Day! 🎆🇺🇸🇸🇾

06/16/2026

We are honored to invite you to our First Annual U.S.-Syria Business Forum, taking place in Damascus on Monday, July 13.
The Forum will convene American, Syrian, and international business leaders, investors, and senior government officials to discuss Syria’s economic future, reform agenda, and emerging investment opportunities.

Request an invitation here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc4L0EJ7XqGff-r7UxSDthbL3Xecd1Go_h__S1LgS7dAQn0Jw/viewform

06/11/2026

The U.S.-Syria Business Council hosted a private dinner reception in Washington, DC, bringing together member companies and the visiting Syrian energy delegation for an evening of dialogue and engagement.

We were honored to welcome Syrian Minister of Energy H.E. Mohammad Al-Bashir; Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Jacob McGee; Syria Petroleum Company CEO, Eng. Yousef Qiblawy; Chargé d’Affaires of the Syrian Embassy in Washington, Mohamad Kanatri; representatives from the U.S. Departments of State and Energy; and a distinguished group of USSYBC members, industry leaders, and investors.

The evening provided an opportunity for participants to engage directly with Minister Al-Bashir, Mr. Qiblawy, and members of the delegation, exchange perspectives on the future of Syria’s energy sector, and explore opportunities for investment, partnership, and long-term cooperation.

We extend our sincere appreciation to USSYBC member company Victron Energy for generously sponsoring the dinner reception. Victron Energy stands as a powerful example of a Syrian American success story, and of the innovation, entrepreneurship, and expertise that the Syrian diaspora brings to advancing Syria’s economic future and U.S.-Syria partnerships.

06/10/2026

The U.S.-Syria Business Council convened a high-level U.S.-Syria Energy Roundtable today in Washington, bringing together more than 24 leading companies and firms, senior officials from the U.S. Department of Energy and U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), and a Syrian delegation led by Minister of Energy, H.E. Eng. Mohammed Al-Bashir, and the CEO of the Syria Petroleum Company, Yousef Qiblawy.

The discussion focused on Syria’s evolving energy landscape, opportunities for private sector engagement, and pathways to advance investment and partnerships across the oil, gas, electricity, mining, and renewable energy sectors. Participants exchanged views on infrastructure rehabilitation, increasing production capacity, strengthening public-private collaboration, and creating an attractive investment environment to support Syria’s economic recovery and reconstruction.

We were honored to welcome Minister Al-Bashir, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Energy Dan Byers, Mr. Qiblawy, Chargé d’Affaires of the Syrian Embassy to the United States, Mohamed Kanatri, Assistant Minister of Energy, Ibrahim Aladhan, Director of Government Communication at the Ministry of Energy, Mr. Ahmed Al-Sulaiman, and a distinguished group of industry leaders and investors.

We are grateful to the U.S. Government for its “full commitment to Syria’s success” and for its support of U.S. companies seeking to explore investment opportunities in Syria during this critical 8–12 month window.

The message from today’s roundtable was clear: Syria is open to responsible investments in the country’s energy sector, and is looking for long-term U.S. partnerships. The momentum behind Syria’s economic recovery continues to build, with growing interest from U.S. companies seeking to engage, invest, and help shape the country’s next chapter. The USSYBC remains committed to serving as a bridge between American and Syrian stakeholders and to advancing bilateral commercial engagement.

U.S. Department of Energy
وزارة الطاقة السورية الشركة السورية للبترول- SPCent

06/03/2026

The U.S.-Syria Business Council was pleased to host a side session at the Syrian Private Sector Dialogue in Damascus, organized in partnership with UNDP and the Syrian Ministry of Economy and Industry.

Our panel focused on advancing U.S.-Syria commercial ties and the role of the private sector in shaping the next phase of bilateral economic engagement. Panelists — USSYBC members Iyad Betinjaneh (Syrian Olive Oil Co.), Hassan Daaboul (Madar Group), Hana Said (EY Syria), Ahmed Salkini (Tecore Telecom), and Jihad Daaboul (American Premium Surplus) — discussed the concrete activity already taking place on the ground, sectors showing the most traction, opportunities for U.S. companies and diaspora investors, and what Syrian businesses can do to better prepare for partnerships with American and international firms.

The discussion — moderated by USSYBC Deputy Director and General Counsel, Sameer Saboungi — also addressed practical challenges that continue to affect investment and trade, including banking access, overcompliance, regulatory uncertainty, and remaining risk-related concerns.

USSYBC leadership was present at the three-day Syrian Private Sector Dialogue conference in other ways too. Vice President Abdul Akel (T-Cetra) spoke on a plenary panel about the role of business councils in supporting Syria’s economic development and the revitalization of the private sector. Board Member Laila Al Samman (Al Samman & Co.) moderated a financial sector panel and spoke on a panel about women in business in Syria. Board Member Hassan Daaboul also spoke on a panel about the economic direction and industrial outlook of Syria.

05/29/2026

The U.S.-Syria Business Council is pleased to participate in the Syrian Private Sector Dialogue, organized by UNDP and the Syrian Ministry of Economy and Industry, next week in Damascus (June 1-3). Join us this Tuesday for our side session to learn more about USSYBC, meet our members, get the latest updates on sanctions, export controls, and issues with overcompliance, and explore opportunities to strengthen U.S.-Syria commercial partnerships as part of this important dialogue on Syria’s private sector-led recovery. Please contact us at the number mentioned if you would like to attend, so we may facilitate your registration for the broader conference.

‎يسر مجلس الأعمال السوري الأمريكي المشاركة في مؤتمر حوار القطاع الخاص السوري، الذي ينظمه برنامج الأمم المتحدة الإنمائي ووزارة الاقتصاد والصناعة السورية، الأسبوع المقبل في دمشق (1-3 حزيران). انضموا إلينا يوم الثلاثاء في جلستنا الجانبية للتعرف أكثر على المجلس، ولقاء أعضائه، والاطلاع على آخر المستجدات المتعلقة بالعقوبات وضوابط التصدير ومسائل الإفراط في الامتثال، واستكشاف فرص تعزيز الشراكات التجارية بين الولايات المتحدة وسوريا ضمن هذا الحوار المهم حول التعافي في سوريا بقيادة القطاع الخاص. يرجى التواصل معنا على الرقم المذكور إذا كنتم ترغبون بالحضور، حتى نتمكن من تسهيل تسجيلكم في المؤتمر.

For more info, visit undp.org/syria/events/national-private-sector-dialogue2026

05/27/2026

Eid Mubarak from the U.S.-Syria Business Council!
Wishing our members, partners, and friends a happy and blessed Eid Al-Adha filled with peace, joy, and prosperity.

يتقدم مجلس الأعمال السوري الأمريكي بأطيب التهاني والتمنيات لأعضائه وشركائه وأصدقائه بمناسبة عيد الأضحى المبارك.

كل عام وأنتم بخير، ونسأل الله أن يعيده عليكم وعلى عائلاتكم بالخير والسلام والبركة.