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Syria and Saudi Arabia concluded a series of strategic agreements on Saturday in Damascus spanning telecommunications, aviation, infrastructure and real estate sectors, marking a significant step in economic cooperation following the recent transition of power in Syria.
The signing ceremony took place at the People's Palace with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa and Saudi Investment Minister Khalid Al-Falih in attendance, according to Syria's state news agency SANA.
The agreements include the Silk Link project, which Al-Falih described as one of Syria's largest digital infrastructure initiatives and potentially among the biggest globally. Syrian Communications Minister Abdulsalam Haykal said the country has adopted a strategy leveraging its geographic location to become an international data transit corridor, adding that Silk Link would help "cement Syria's position as a global connectivity hub."
Talal al-Hilali, head of the Syrian Investment Authority, said the deals target vital sectors that directly affect citizens' lives and aim to strengthen telecommunications infrastructure and develop digital connectivity systems.
The civil aviation agreements include plans to develop and operate Aleppo International Airport and establish a new low-cost national carrier named Nas Syria. Omar al-Husri, head of Syria's Civil Aviation Authority, said the initiatives would return Syria "strongly" to the international aviation network.
Al-Falih also announced what he called the world's largest water agreement under the sponsorship of Saudi firm ACWA Power, though he provided no further details on the project's scope or timeline.
Saudi Arabia announced the launch of the Elaf Fund for investment in major projects and the activation of banking transfer channels between the two countries. Al-Falih said Saudi Arabia "stands alongside Syria and supports its path toward recovery, growth and stability."
The Saudi economic delegation arriving in Damascus included Communications Minister Abdullah Al-Swaha and Civil Aviation Authority President Abdulaziz Al-Duailej, along with other officials.
US Ambassador to Türkiye and Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack welcomed the agreements, stating on social media that "strategic partnerships in aviation, infrastructure, and telecommunications will contribute meaningfully to Syria's reconstruction efforts." He added that the partnership aligns with President Donald Trump's emphasis on regional nations taking responsibility for their own future.
Saudi Arabia has emerged as one of the region's most supportive states of Syria's new administration since the ouster of the Bashar al-Assad regime, with both countries intensifying high-level exchanges and signing multiple agreements focused on economic reconstruction.
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