Syria and Saudi Arabia signed several strategic agreements across multiple sectors, including strengthening telecommunications infrastructure and developing digital connectivity systems, establishing a Syrian-Saudi airline company to enhance air links, and operating and developing the Syrian Modern Cables Company.
The contracts signed between the Syrian and Saudi sides, announced at a press conference attended by Enab Baladi in Damascus on Saturday, 7 February, include the following projects:
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A project to develop and operate a new Aleppo International Airport and to improve operations at the existing airport, along with establishing an airline in Syria for commercial aviation and air cargo in partnership with Syria’s General Authority of Civil Aviation.
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An agreement to develop water desalination and transport projects by conducting the necessary economic, technical, and financial studies and identifying appropriate solutions for each seawater desalination project.
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A project to upgrade Syria’s telecommunications infrastructure by expanding fiber-optic cables and establishing data centers, contributing to improved internet services and enabling Syria to become a regional hub for data transit and international connectivity.
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An agreement to operate and develop the Syrian Modern Cables Company, in addition to developing the national platform for vocational, technical, and technological training and qualification.
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The signing of a framework agreement for development cooperation and the launch of 45 development initiatives between the Syrian Development Fund and the Saudi Development Committee.
Head of the Syrian Investment Authority, Talal Helali, said these agreements outline a new phase of partnership based on mutual trust and respect.
For his part, Saudi Investment Minister Khalid al-Falih announced, during the signing ceremony, the launch of the establishment process for the Elaf Investment Fund for major projects in Syria, and the reactivation of banking transfer channels between the two countries after economic sanctions were lifted.
Al-Falih said the event also saw the signing of an aviation agreement led by NAS, which chose Syria as the first destination for its foreign investments, an agreement for the Silk Link digital infrastructure project, a major water agreement under the sponsorship of Saudi company ACWA, as well as the completion of an agreement to operate, manage, and develop the Syrian Modern Cables Company.
Syrian Minister of Communications and Information Technology Abdulsalam Haykal said Syria’s telecommunications infrastructure has suffered from weak investment in recent years, noting that a new track is being pursued to leverage Syria’s geographic location and make it an international corridor for data transit.
Haykal added that 18 companies submitted investment applications, and after a thorough evaluation process, the Saudi company stc won the competition.
He said the Silk Link project helps anchor Syria’s position as a global connectivity point and, domestically, makes it possible to build an integrated ecosystem of services for global centers.
Syrian Energy Minister Mohammed al-Bashir stressed Syria’s commitment to moving forward with implementing major strategic projects, foremost infrastructure, energy, water, and desalination projects, describing the meeting as a pivotal step in expanding the horizons of partnership between Syria and Saudi Arabia.
Al-Bashir said a memorandum of understanding and a joint development agreement were signed with ACWA Power and Saudi Water Transport to set a clear roadmap for cooperation in the water sector, including plans to establish a seawater desalination plant to transport freshwater from the coast to the south of the country.
He added that the agreement with ACWA Power reflects a keenness to cooperate with entities that have global expertise in water desalination projects to ensure the sector’s development.
Riyadh has supported Damascus since the fall of the Assad regime on 8 December 2024 and the handover to the new government. Saudi Arabia is considered among the key allies of Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, alongside Ankara and Doha.
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