{
  "id": 7515793,
  "title": "Syria a 'great opportunity' for everyone to benefit, Al Shara says in Dubai",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/15/syria-a-great-opportunity-for-everyone-to-benefit-al-shara-says-in",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-15T08:48:56.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The National UAE",
    "slug": "the-national-uae",
    "url": "https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/mena/2026/09/15/syria-great-opportunity-for-everyone-to-benefit-from-al-shara-says-in-dubai/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "President Ahmad Al Shara described Syria as a \"great opportunity\" for other countries in the region during a speech at the Arab Media Summit in Dubai on Tuesday. The focus was on new trade routes being developed due to the Strait of Hormuz being blocked. Syria has been a focal point in recent discussions about alternative trade and oil routes in the Middle East, including plans to connect its Mediterranean ports to Gulf states through Iraq. Al Shara emphasized that Syria has shifted from being seen as a problem to a great opportunity, contributing to regional security and trade. He highlighted Syria's potential to feed 75 million people, despite its current population of 25 million, and that with proper agricultural tools, it could support around 100 million people. The UAE is one of the biggest investors in Syria, with officials meeting representatives from Abu Dhabi Ports to discuss port and border development since Al Shara came into power in December 2014. In May, a $800 million agreement with DP World was signed to develop the port of Tartus. Al Shara welcomed the deal, praising the Emirati group's vision to tie Jebel Ali to the port, even prior to Hormuz issues. The lifting of US sanctions has been seen as a rebirth for Syria, according to Al Shara, who expressed confidence that the country is on the right path.",
  "summary": "Syria is becoming a “great opportunity” for other countries in the region, President Ahmad Al Shara said in Dubai on Tuesday, highlighting new emerging trade routes as the Strait of Hormuz remains blocked. His country has been at the heart of recent regional discussions over finding alternative routes for trade and oil in the Middle East, with talks emerging over linking its ports on the…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The National Business",
        "title": "Syria a 'great opportunity' for everyone to benefit, Al Shara says in Dubai",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/15/syria-a-great-opportunity-for-everyone-to-benefit-al-shara-says-in-7516390",
        "published": "2026-09-15T08:48:56.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Gulf News",
        "title": "Ahmed Al Sharaa: Syria has transformed from a major problem into a great opportunity",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/15/ahmed-al-sharaa-syria-has-transformed-from-a-major-problem-into-a",
        "published": "2026-09-15T09:27:57.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}