Dubai-based DP World has started its 30-year concession to manage Tartus Port, marking one of Syria’s largest foreign investments and a major step in the country’s economic recovery
Syria
Latest in Syria
Abu Dhabi
AD Ports Group to acquire 20% stake in Syria’s Latakia Container Terminal
Deal worth AED81 million made in collaboration with CMA CGM aims to modernise Syria’s main maritime gateway and strengthen trade connectivity
DMCC
Dubai unveils ‘floating museum’; UAE cuts fuel prices; Saudi eyes flying taxis – 10 things you missed this week
From a Dubai floating museum to Saudi Arabia’s air taxi plans and UAE fuel price cuts, here are 10 major Gulf stories this week
Damascus
Syria attracts $28bn in new investments as UAE, Saudi and Qatar drive regional projects
Syria secured $28bn in investments in H1 2025, with major UAE, Saudi and Qatari companies launching multi-billion-dollar projects
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman
Syrian president to address Saudi investment summit in Riyadh
President Ahmad Al-Sharaa will attend the Future Investment Initiative in Riyadh on Tuesday as Syria seeks foreign investment to rebuild its economy
Aviation
Syria signs $4bn deal with Qatar-backed consortium to rebuild Damascus Airport as regional aviation hub with 90,000 jobs
International consortium led by Qatar’s UCC Holding to redevelop Damascus International Airport in Syria with 31m passenger capacity, new fleet, and advanced infrastructure
Ministry of Investment - Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia launches $5bn investment drive in Syria, unveils flagship tower project in Damascus
The investment package includes deals across real estate, infrastructure, telecoms, logistics, energy, tourism, industry, and trade, according to Saudi’s investment ministry
DP World
DP World to invest $800m in Syria’s Port of Tartus under 30-year concession deal
DP World unveils major Syria port development deal, eyes potential development of free zones
Aviation
UAE travel update: flydubai announces flight cancellation latest
Flydubai announces some UAE flight cancellations until July 5
Air Arabia
Air Arabia resumes Sharjah-Damascus flights after years with double daily service
The service marks a return to Syria for the carrier after years of suspension
Aviation
Emirates to resume Dubai to Damascus flights
Emirates flights from Dubai to Damascus were suspended in 2012 and resume this month
Aviation
Saudi Arabia’s flynas launches Riyadh to Damascus flights to boost Syria tourism
Flynas to launch Riyadh to Damascus flights to boost Saudi-Syria connectivity
Damascus
Flydubai to launch flights to Damascus, Syria after 12 years
Flydubai to resume UAE to Syria flights ahead of Eid Al Adha 2025
Qatar
Saudi Arabia, Qatar clear Syria’s $15mn World Bank debt: Report
This financial intervention will allow the World Bank to resume operations in Syria after a 14-year suspension of activities
business leaders
Syrian business leaders call for innovation, collaboration, growth on sidelines of World Governments Summit
The meeting was headlined by Asaad Hassan Al-Shaibani, the Syrian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates
Abraham Accords
Analysis: Early days of Trump 2.0 signal major Middle East policy shift to transactional diplomacy
Experts weigh prospects for Trump’s deal-making approach as allies grapple with controversial Gaza plans and Iran stance
Internet
US grants licence for telecom infrastructure project in sanctioned Syria despite ongoing conflict
The approval comes as Syria faces renewed violence, with rebel groups recently capturing Aleppo from government forces in a major escalation of the country’s protracted civil war
