Syria's return to structured national economic dialogue was marked by the inaugural launch dinner of the Syrian Strategic Forum (SSF), held in Damascus. Oxford Business Group (OBG) partnered with the Forum as Research Partner, supporting its international visibility and engagement as policymakers and institutional stakeholders convened to advance structured economic discussion.
The launch dinner formally inaugurated the SSF and brought together between 150 and 180 participants, including ministers, ambassadors, business leaders, academics, trustees and members, establishing the Forum as a new platform for economic policy coordination and institutional dialogue.
The event was opened by Ranim Alwair, Executive Board Member and Trustee; Mohamed Haykal, Deputy Chairman of the Syrian Strategic Forum; and featured addresses by Dr Abdulkader Husrieh, Chairman of the Forum and Governor of the Central Bank of Syria; Abdulsalam Haykal, Minister of Communications and Information Technology; Hind Kabawat, Minister of Social Affairs and Labour; and Nidal Al Shaar, Minister of Economy and Industry. The keynote address was delivered by Dr Ma’an Al-Qatamin, former Minister of Labour and Minister of State for Investment Affairs in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. Andrew Jeffreys, CEO of Oxford Business Group, also delivered remarks during the event.
Governor Husrieh emphasised the centrality of financial stability and regulatory credibility to Syria's economic recovery.
“Reinforcing monetary stability and strengthening regulatory credibility are essential steps in rebuilding confidence in Syria's financial system. A stable and transparent financial environment will be fundamental to supporting sustainable growth and encouraging long-term investment,” he said.
Minister Haykal highlighted the importance of digital connectivity and modern infrastructure in underpinning institutional reform and long-term economic recovery, while Minister al Shaar underscored the role of economic policy coordination in enabling private sector development and attracting investment. Minister Kabawat addressed the social dimension of reform and labour market considerations, reinforcing the need for inclusive institutional rebuilding.
Mohamed Haykal described the Forum's founding purpose as one of reconnecting Syria with regional and global economic dialogue.
“The Syrian Strategic Forum is not simply an event. It is a commitment to rebuilding confidence, strengthening institutions and attracting the partnerships needed for long-term recovery. Syria has the human capital, the entrepreneurial tradition and the strategic position to rebuild. Our objective is to create a serious platform where policy, investment and national development priorities align,” he noted.
In his keynote address, Dr Ma’an Al-Qatamin underscored the scale of opportunity ahead and the importance of structured reform frameworks in positioning Syria for sustainable reintegration into regional economic networks.
Andrew Jeffreys noted that OBG’s engagement in Syria spans three decades. “Oxford Business Group began its work in Syria in 1995. Over the years, we have documented the country’s economic development, its reforms, its expansion and its challenges. Research creates continuity. It provides investors and policymakers with perspective and context. Supporting the Syrian Strategic Forum reflects our long-standing commitment to informed economic dialogue and to ensuring that credible, on-the-ground analysis helps shape the next phase of Syria’s economic story,” he added.
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