{
  "id": 11843853,
  "title": "Syria 'pressing on accelerator' to attract US investors",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/04/syria-pressing-on-accelerator-to-attract-us-investors-11843853",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-10-04T04:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The National UAE",
    "slug": "the-national-uae",
    "url": "https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/us/2026/10/04/syria-pressing-on-accelerator-to-attract-us-investors/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Syria is actively courting US investors as the transitional government works to create a business-friendly atmosphere, according to Steve Lutes, vice president of Middle East Affairs at the US Chamber of Commerce. Lutes told The National that US companies are eager to engage long-term partners to help Syria rebuild economically following the 13-year civil war. The Chamber of Commerce recently hosted a round-table with Syrian President Ahmad Al Shara and Foreign Minister Asaad Al Shibani, which was attended by over 50 American businesses and 80 delegates.\n\nThe visit follows the US lifting Syria's state sponsor of terrorism designation, which had previously blocked the country's reintegration into the international financial system. Already, the World Bank estimates that $216 billion will be needed to rebuild Syria. Gulf nations have already pledged investments, including DP World's $800 million for Tartus Port.\n\nLutes noted that Syria is \"pressing on the accelerator\" to make significant progress. The Chamber of Commerce is focusing on the banking sector, which has undergone rapid transformation under the current government. QNB and Mastercard issued the first internationally accepted payment card in Syria, and the World Bank approved a $100 million grant to establish a digitally enabled financial sector.\n\nThe Central Bank of Syria expects foreign investment in new banks to surpass $1 billion. US Treasury Secretary held a round-table in New York to support Syria's financial sector. Finance Minister Yisr Barnieh discussed advancing anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing standards. Public spending in the first six months of 2026 was $3.7 billion, compared to $2.7 billion in revenue, leaving a fiscal deficit of about $1 billion.",
  "summary": "US investors see an opportunity to invest early in Syria as the transitional government races to establish a pro-business environment and attract foreign capital. “We see that the door is open, and we're coming early,” Steve Lutes, vice president of Middle East Affairs at the US Chamber of Commerce, said in an interview. “I think US companies made it very clear across a different range of sectors…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The National Business",
        "title": "Syria 'pressing on accelerator' to attract US investors",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/04/syria-pressing-on-accelerator-to-attract-us-investors",
        "published": "2026-10-04T04:00:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}