Syria is gradually reintegrating into the global economy, buoyed by the lifting of most sanctions, including the Caesar Act. Signs of this shift are visible on the ground, with foreign investment and trade picking up notably in 2026, though imports heavily outpace exports. Key regional partners — Jordan, Gulf states, and Turkey — are leading engagement, while Western involvement, despite some acceleration, remains limited. One significant obstacle persists: Syria's US designation as a State Sponsor of Terrorism, in place since 1979, continues to complicate its full reintegration into global financial and trade networks.
