Gulf nations bet big on post-Assad Syria
The Gulf nations have pledged tens of billions of dollars in partnership and investment deals in post-war Syria as they seek to become primary financial anchors, helping rebuild a country battered by economic disparities, political upheaval and social unrest.
The GCC nations, particularly the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar, were the among the first countries to endorse the new Syrian president Ahmad Al Shara when he succeeded Bashar Al Assad in December 2024. These same countries are now primary capital providers that partook in approximately $28 billion in capital inflows in the first six months of 2025 to seek early-mover advantages in a country characterized by extensive development and infrastructure needs.
Saudi Arabia has inherently focused on Syria’s macro stability and strategic infrastructure development. In February, the two countries signed a slew of agreements valued at roughly $5.3 billion, covering investments across aviation, telecommunications and utilities.
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