LocationsFirst National Private Sector Dialogue in Damascus | 2026
Syrian Private Sector Dialogue | 2026
January 22, 2026
Event Details
March 30, 2026
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April 1, 2026
Damascus Conferences Palace
The Syrian Private Sector Dialogue (PSD) is a flagship initiative led by the United Nations Development Programme, with the support of the Government of Japan, that brings together Syrian business leaders from across the country and the diaspora to shape Syria’s economic recovery and long-term development.
Since 2018, the Dialogue has provided a trusted, evidence-based platform for entrepreneurs, chambers, policymakers, and international partners to address structural challenges, build consensus, and advance practical solutions for a resilient and inclusive economy. Previous editions were held outside Syria, providing a safe and neutral setting that enabled participation from diverse geographies and backgrounds.
PSD8: A New Milestone Inside Syria
The Eighth Edition of the Syrian Private Sector Dialogue (PSD8) marks a defining milestone. Organised in partnership with the Ministry of Economy and Industry, the Dialogueo will be convened inside Syria for the first time since its inception, signalling a new phase of localisation, national ownership, and confidence-building.
In a changing economic and political landscape, PSD8 aims to help define the economic pillars of a renewed social contract, one that reflects the aspirations, realities, and diversity of Syrian businesses across regions, sectors, and the diaspora, and is grounded in private sector leadership, institutional reform, and shared responsibility for Syria’s recovery.
Key Objectives
- Provide an evidence base on the state of the Syrian private sector, identifying key challenges, risks, and opportunities across regulation, finance, markets, skills, and the business environment.
- Enable an inclusive national dialogue that brings together businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions, as well as the diaspora, with a strong focus on women and youth entrepreneurs.
- Shape a shared private sector vision and roadmap for Syria’s future economy, aligned with national priorities for an open and competitive market.
- Mobilise commitments to reform and partnership among private-sector actors, public institutions, and international partners.
- Ensure continuity and follow-up through mechanisms that sustain dialogue, build trust, and support implementation beyond the dialogue.
AGENDA
DAY 1: 30 March 2026 | Private-Private Dialogue
Time | Session | Speakers and Facilitators | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 08:30 – 09:00 | Registration | |||
09:00 – 09:30 | Opening Session and Welcoming Remarks | H.E. Dr Nidal Al Shaar - Minister of Economy and Industry Dr Mohammed Siddig Mudawi - UNDP Resident Representative a.i. in Syria H.E. Tsujii Akihiro - Chargé d’Affaires, Embassy of Japan | ||
09:30 – 10:00 | Introductory Session: Background and Objectives of the Syrian Private Sector Dialogue Day One Agenda | |||
10:00 – 11:00 | Economic Landscape and the Syrian Private Sector Outcomes of Local and Sectoral Dialogues: Challenges, Priorities and Recommendations Guidance for Breakout Sessions and Discussions | |||
| 11:00 – 12:00 | Thematic Dialogue Groups: Cross Sectoral Challenges | |||
| Legal and Regulatory Environment: Cross Sectoral Challenges and Barriers | Taxation, Financial Sector, and Access to Credit: Cross Sectoral Challenges and Barriers | Logistics, Trade, Production Chains, and Market Access: Cross Sectoral Challenges and Barriers | Know-How, Skills, Jobs, and Innovation: Cross Sectoral Challenges and Barriers | |
12:00 – 12:15 | Break | |||
| 12:15 – 13:00 | Thematic Dialogue Groups: Interlinkages, Shared Priorities and Policy Recommendations | |||
Legal and Regulatory Environment: Interlinkages, Shared Priorities and Policy Recommendations | Taxation, Financial Sector, and Access to Credit: Interlinkages, Shared Priorities and Policy Recommendations | Logistics, Trade, Production Chains, and Market Access: Interlinkages, Shared Priorities and Policy Recommendations | Know-How, Skills, Jobs, and Innovation: Interlinkages, Shared Priorities and Policy Recommendations | |
13:00 – 13:30 | Break | |||
13:30 – 14:30 | Economic Governance and Inclusive Recovery Strategies: Key Challenges and Strategies to Enhance Business Opportunities | |||
| 14:30 – 15:15 | The Private Sector During the Recovery Phase: Roles and Responsibilities | |||
15:15 – 15:30 | Break | |||
| 15:30 – 16:30 | Plenary: Concluding Day One Group Work Presentation Final Outcomes Presentation for Day 2 Closing, Lessons Learned, and Next Steps | |||
DAY 2: 31 March 2026 | Private-Public Dialogue
Time | Session | Speakers and Facilitators |
|---|---|---|
| 08:30 – 09:00 | Registration | |
09:00 – 09:30 | Opening Session and Welcoming Remarks | H.E. Deputy Minister Basel Abd Al Hannan - Ministry of Economy and Industry Dr Rawhi Afaghani - UNDP Deputy Resident Representative |
09:30 – 10:30 | Day Two -Agenda Overview Private – Private Outcomes (Challenges, Priorities, Opportunities, and Roles and Responsibilities) | |
10:30 – 11:30 | Plenary: Panel Discussion with Open Interaction “A New Partnership between Private and Public Sector” What is the regulatory environment and how can the state support the role of the private sector? The legal and regulatory environment – Challenges, opportunities, priorities, and recommendations | |
11:30 – 11:45 | Break | |
| 11:45 – 12:45 | Plenary: Panel Discussion with Open Interaction “What are the Financial Challenges, Mechanisms for Incentivizing Private Sector, and the Enablers?” Taxes, the financial sector, and access to credit - Challenges, opportunities, priorities, and recommendations | |
| 12:45 – 13:45 | Plenary: Panel Discussion with Open Interaction “Production, Value Chain, and Trade Growth” Logistics, Value Chains, Production Sectors, Trade, and Domestic and international Market Access - Challenges, Opportunities, Priorities, and Recommendations | |
13:45 – 14:00 | Break | |
| 14:00 – 15:00 | Plenary: Panel Discussion with Open Interaction “Building Skills and Innovation for Jobs and Social Impact” Know-how, Skills, Jobs, and Innovation - Challenges, Opportunities, Priorities, and Recommendations | |
| 15:00 – 16:00 | Plenary: Panel Discussion with Open Interaction “Charting Economic Vision, Governance, and the Roadmap to Achieve” Economic Vision, Governance Model, and Roadmap - Challenges, Opportunities, Priorities, and Recommendations | |
16:00 – 16:30 | Break | |
| 16:30 – 17:00 | Plenary: Public–Private Cooperation Convergence Areas, Opportunities, Public–Private Cooperation Roadmap for Private Sector Engagement in Policy Dialogue Closing Remarks and Next Steps | |
DAY 3: 01 April 2026 | Multi-stakeholder Engagement
Time | Session | Speakers and Facilitators | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 08:30 – 09:00 | Registration | |||
Morning Side Events | ||||
09:00 – 09:30 | Opening Remarks and Overview of the Day | |||
09:30 – 11:00 | Plenary: Panel Discussion with Open Interaction "The Role of International Development Partners in Supporting Syrian Private Sector" Direct Connection: Syrian Private Sector with International Partners Introduction to Hosted Side Events | |||
| 11:00 – 12:00 | Knowledge Sessions and Side Events | |||
Side Event - 1.1 “Value Chain Development in Syria - Promoting Economic Benefits and Social Cohesion” MoEI-UNDP-LSE Report | Side Event - 1.2 | Side Event - 1.3 | Side Event - 1.4 | |
12:00 – 12:30 | Break | |||
| 12:30 – 13:30 | Knowledge Sessions and Side Events | |||
Side Event - 1.2 | Side Event - 1.3 | Side Event - 1.3 | Side Event - 1.4 | |
13:30 – 15:00 | Break | |||
Final Sessions, Announcements, and Overall Outcomes | ||||
15:00 – 15:30 | Afternoon Opening Remarks Video: Dialogue Journey (Highlights and Facts) Overall Outcomes: Key Insights, Policy Recommendations, Road Map Outlines, and Next Steps | |||
| 15:30 – 16:30 | Plenary: High-Level Panel Discussion “Economic Vision for Syria’s Future” Challenges, Objectives, Priorities, and Reflections from the Private Sector Dialogue - Inputs from Excellencies and High-level Speakers | Moderator: Panellists: | ||
| 16:30 – 16:45 | High-Level Announcements and Commitments Statement and endorsement by the Public Sector Statement and endorsement by the Private Sector | Government Representative Private Sector Representative | ||
| 16:45 – 17:00 | Closing Remarks | UNDP Resident Representative a.i. Japan Ambassador Minister of Economy and Industry | ||
17:00 – 18:00 | Reception | |||