Industry
From The Report: Syria 2026
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Syria entered the post-December 2024 transition with a broad but severely diminished manufacturing base, surviving industrial clusters and substantial idle or underutilised capacity. The subsequent institutional reset, easing of US sanctions and renewed policy engagement have created greater scope to restore production and import machinery and inputs more efficiently. However, the gap between renewed investment activity and the return of productive capacity remains substantial. Converting new investment into operating capacity will depend on resolving persistent constraints. The need for greater power reliability, working capital, machinery, purchasing power and protection from abrupt finished-goods competition remain key priorities. The most credible route is therefore to reconnect agri-food, textiles, pharmaceuticals, mineral-based materials, chemicals and light engineering around existing skills and local inputs, while sequencing market opening with rehabilitation, quality upgrading and export reconnection.

This chapter features insights from Helmut von Struve, Hadi Nahas, Joseph Bahri, Omar Al Sokhni, Mounzer Nazha and Hassan Daaboul.

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

Productive potential: Rehabilitating production capacity and strengthening supply chains to underpin broader economic recovery
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Syria entered the post-December 2024 transition with a broad but severely diminished manufacturing base, surviving industrial clusters and substantial idle or under-utilised capacity. The UN Development Programme estimates that private manufacturing output fell from SP428.4bn ($8.6bn) in 2010 to SP261bn ($20.9m) in 2024, underscoring the scale of reactivation required to restore the sector to pre-conflict capacity. The subsequent institutional reset, easing of US sanctions and renewed policy engagement have created greater scope to restore production and import machinery and inputs more efficiently. However, the gap between renewed investment…

Interview

Lighting the way: Helmut von Struve, CEO, Siemens Middle East, on how investment in power and people is key to recovery
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Interview:Helmut von Struve, CEO, Siemens Middle East,on how investment in power and people is key to recovery Which infrastructure priorities should guide Syria’s reconstruction and how can power management support recovery across the economy? HELMUT VON STRUVE: The immediate priority is to restore a reliable electricity system because almost every other part of the recovery depends on it. Existing generation and network assets should first be assessed, repaired and returned to service…

Interview

Building returns: Hadi Nahas, Vice Chairman, Nahas Enterprises Group, on attracting capital, expanding private enterprise and unlocking long-term economic potential
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Interview: Hadi Nahas, Vice Chairman, Nahas Enterprises Group,on attracting capital, expanding private enterprise and unlocking long-term economic potential How has the post-conflict transition reshaped the environment for diversified private sector groups? HADI NAHAS: Over the past decade, the war disrupted supply chains, reduced demand and created significant operational challenges. Many businesses experienced substantial losses across their verticals. The strategy during the conflict focused…

Interview

Streamlined operations: Joseph Bahri, Managing Director, Bahripharm, on a cost-competitive pharmaceutical manufacturing and export growth
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Interview:Joseph Bahri, Managing Director, Bahripharm,on a cost-competitive pharmaceutical manufacturing and export growth How would you characterise the current state of Syria’s pharmaceutical sector? JOSEPH BAHRI: Syria’s pharmaceutical sector has demonstrated resilience over the past decade. There are around 90 licensed pharmaceutical manufacturers in the country, of which around 60-70 are actively producing. Despite the prolonged conflict, production capacity was largely maintained.…

Interview

Inclusive growth: Omar Al Sokhni, CEO, Al Sokhni Metals Group, on utilising human capital to strengthen the manufacturing base
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Interview:Omar Al Sokhni, CEO, Al Sokhni Metals Group,on utilising human capital to strengthen the manufacturing base How has the post-conflict reconstruction effort influenced demand for metal products in Syria? OMAR AL SOKHNI: The reconstruction phase has created steady and growing demand for steel and metal products across multiple sectors. We manufacture round pipes, rectangular and square profiles, and window and door frames, all critical components for housing, infrastructure…

Analysis

Patented innovation: Research and industry collaboration can support technology development and new commercial opportunities
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In terms of the filing of international patents, 2025 saw a second consecutive year of modest growth, although the longer-term pace of expansion in the global innovation system remained subdued. The World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) reported that around 275,900 international patent applications were filed under its Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) in 2025, up 0.7% from 2024. China remained the largest origin of PCT applications, with 73,718 filings, followed by the US with 52,617, Japan with 47,922, South Korea with 25,016 and Germany with 16,441. Together, these five economies accounted for 78.2% of global PCT applications. Asia…

Interview

Bridging gaps to accelerate: Mounzer Nazha, Chairman of the Executive Committee, Syria Britain Business Council (SBBC), on exploring bilateral opportunities for sustainable development
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Interview:Mounzer Nazha, Chairman of the Executive Committee, Syria Britain Business Council,on exploring bilateral opportunities for sustainable development How do you assess the long-term potential for bilateral trade between Syria and the UK, particularly in sectors could support renewed commercial ties? MOUNZER NAZHA: The long-term potential for UK-Syria trade is promising, especially in sectors where historical familiarity and complementary strengths exist. British firms retain…

Interview

Material advantage: Hassan Daaboul, Co-CEO, Madar, on turning capacity into opportunity
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Interview:Hassan Daaboul, Co-CEO, Madar,on turning capacity into opportunity How do you assess the strength of current state the aluminium manufacturing sector? HASSAN DAABOUL: There is a relatively large installed capacity for aluminium production, much of which has been idle for over a decade. With stability returning, these facilities have begun to resume operations. The country enters this phase with a solid industrial base; what remains essential is the development of sustained…