LocationsFirst National Private Sector Dialogue in Damascus | 2026
Syria Private Sector National Conference | PSD-2026-Damascus
April 30, 2026
Event Details
June 1, 2026
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June 3, 2026
The Conference Palace, Damascus
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.
PSD-2026-Damascus: A New Milestone Inside Syria
The 2026 Syrian Private Sector Dialogue (PSD) marks a defining milestone. Led by the Ministry of Economy and Industry, the Dialogue will be convened inside Syria for the first time since its inception. This historic move signals a new phase of localisation, national ownership, and confidence-building at a crucial moment when economic and reform choices will decisively shape the direction of the country's transition.
The PSD has evolved into a structured and inclusive platform that connects the government, policymakers, the private sector, chambers of commerce, and international partners around a shared agenda for recovery and reform. It provides a safe and neutral space for the private sector to discuss constraints and identify practical solutions. Key areas of focus include the legal and regulatory environment, taxation and financing, trade and production, market access, technical know-how and skills, jobs and innovation, and the overall investment climate. Addressing these cross-cutting themes is vital, as they directly shape investment decisions, business survival, and the private sector's ability to contribute to a more inclusive growth model.
The 2026 edition adopts a progressive approach that moves from intra-private sector discussions to cross-sectoral, and ultimately, multi-stakeholder dialogues. It is structured in two phases: first, a series of local and sectoral dialogue workshops (already convened in January and February 2026), followed by the national conference. The national conference will take place over three days on 1-2-3 June and will feature plenary sessions, interactive dialogues, and targeted side events. It will focus on private-to-private and private-to-public engagement, and foster direct connections with international development partners, INGOs, the diaspora, and the foreign private sector, alongside broader multi-stakeholder networking, and the presentation of official outcomes and announcements.
Key Objectives
Provide a collaborative platform that aligns the interests of private sector stakeholders and public institutions to address pressing constraints, coordinate conducive policies, and unlock opportunities for inclusive growth and peacebuilding.
Bring together government, development partners, and diverse business representatives from different regions, sectors, sizes, and ownership structures, ensuring meaningful participation of women and youth entrepreneurs, MSMEs, large enterprises, diaspora, and foreign investors.
Clarify the role of the private sector in recovery, value chain revitalization, job creation, and service delivery, including the contribution of MSMEs, large firms, and the diaspora.
Systematically identify barriers and prioritize reforms facing the private sector (regulatory, taxation, finance, logistics, skills, innovation, and market access) and translate them into concrete, time-bound policy recommendations.
Build trust and mutual accountability by enabling open, evidence-based dialogue, reducing perception gaps, and promoting more predictable, rules-based public–private engagement.
Mobilise commitments from the private sector, public authorities, and relevant stakeholders to enrich private sector engagement and support socio-economic recovery and inclusive growth.
Networking and engagement: Afford a unique opportunity for networking, business-to-business engagement, and thematic sessions as side events prepared on the sidelines of the conference.
AGENDA
DAY 1: Monday 01 June 2026
| 08:00 – 09:30 | Registration | |
09:30 – 10:30 | Opening the Conference and Welcoming Remarks Location: Main Venue, Conference Palace, Damascus, Syria Speakers:(TBC)
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Introductory Session
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10:30 – 12:00 | Plenary: Panel Discussion with Open Interaction
“A New Partnership between Private and Public Sector”
Location: Main Venue, Conference Palace, Damascus, Syria
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 This plenary session brings together senior public decision‑makers and private sector leaders to engage in a structured public–private dialogue on legal and regulatory reform. The session addresses the core question of: "What are the required legal and regulatory reforms to enable the private sector and improve investment?” The session aims to translate prioritized, actionable findings on the legal, regulatory environment, and investment climate into a concrete reform pathway and follow up mechanism.
Moderator: TBC Panellists: Ministry of Economy and Industry, Supreme Council / General Secretariate, Syria Investment Authority, and Private Sector Representatives (TBC) | |
| Break – Networking | ||
Side Events The 2026 PSD Forum will have in-person side events, with the potential for virtual participation. These events will take place alongside the conference. About 16 side events will run in rounds of four, each moving in parallel. Diverse organisers and hosts from the public, private, and international development partners will lead them. The side events will be organised when the PSD is not in plenary session. The side events aim to enrich discussions at the PSD, provide dedicated opportunities for exchanging views, and expand networking opportunities on specific private-sector and economic-related matters. Approved side events will be posted on the PSD landing page in advance of the Conference. | ||
12:30 – 13:30 |
“Unlocking Channels for Syria’s Private Sector”
Over‑Compliance and the New Sanctions Landscape Location: Conference Palace Hosted by: UNDP
This side event will examine how sanctions relief and persistent over-compliance by international banks and firms shape the operating space for Syrian businesses. It will focus on key constraints in payments, trade finance, and investment flows. It will also address measures that governments, regulators, and development partners can take to reduce perceived risk while upholding remaining obligations. |
“Rebuilding Value Chains and Competitiveness”
Textile Sector Revitalization in Syria Location: Conference Palace Hosted by:
This side event will focus on investment in, and the recovery and modernisation of, Syria’s textile and garment sector. It aims to boost employment, exports, and regional integration. The event will cover constraints in inputs, energy, skills, technology, financing, and market access. It will also highlight opportunities for value chain upgrading, sustainable production, investment, and re-entry into export markets. The discussion will identify priority reforms, investment needs, and partnership models to reposition the textile sector within Syria’s recovery and trade strategy.
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“Empowering Businesswomen as Drivers of Recovery”
Women‑Led Business and Inclusive Growth Location: Conference Palace
This side event will highlight the role of women‑led enterprises in driving inclusive growth, job creation, and social resilience in Syria’s recovery phase. It will examine barriers to access to finance, markets, and decision‑making for businesswomen, while showcasing successful models and policy solutions. The session will promote commitments and partnerships to strengthen women’s economic participation and leadership within the private sector.
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“Investment in Real Estate Sector as a Key Track for Economic Revitalization and Job Creation”
Real Estate Investment and Urban Recovery Location: Conference Palace
This side event will explore the role of real estate investment in enabling economic recovery, urban revitalisation, and private-sector growth. Discussions will focus on how to incentivise investment in the real estate sector and how the real estate development can support broader recovery objectives through housing supply, commercial and industrial spaces, infrastructure-linked development, and job creation, while complementing national priorities and domestic investment. | |
| Break – Networking | ||
14:00 – 15:00 |
Plenary: Panel Discussion with Open Interaction “What the Private Sector Can Do to Support Economic Recovery and Development Objectives?”
Location: Main Venue, Conference Palace, Damascus, Syria
This plenary session aims to clarify what the private sector can realistically and responsibly contribute to Syria’s socio-economic recovery. It will consider how such contributions can complement public action and identify the enabling conditions required from the state. The session aims to translate dialogue insights into commitments and shared expectations, and to develop practical guidance to advance the broader (PSD-2026-Damascus) agenda, inform public–private cooperation, and guide engagement with international partners.
Moderator: TBC Panellists: Private Sector Representatives (Chambers, Councils, Unions, etc).
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15:30 – 17:00 |
Plenary: High-Level Panel Discussion
“What are the Financial Challenges and Opportunities for Enabling the Private Sector?”
Location: Main Venue, Conference Palace, Damascus, Syria
Taxes, the financial sector, and access to credit - Challenges, opportunities, priorities, and recommendations
This plenary panel will bring together public authorities, financial regulators, bankers, and private sector leaders to discuss the findings of the private-private dialogue and to agree on a shared agenda for recovery and reform. It will primarily address the question: “What are the financial challenges, opportunities, and enablers for empowering the private sector?” It will focus on taxation, financial systems, and credit mechanisms. The panel will cultivate public-private alliances to operationalise high-impact recommendations into a viable reform agenda and ongoing coordination framework. Moderator: TBC Panellists: Ministry of Economy, Ministry of Finance, Central Bank, Bankers, and Private Sector Representatives (TBC) | |
Closing Day One and Next Steps | ||
DAY 2: Tuesday 02 June 2026
| 09:00 – 10:00 | Registration | |
10:00 – 10:15 |
Opening Remarks and Overview of Day Two Location: Main Venue, Conference Palace, Damascus, Syria Speakers: (TBC)
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10:15 – 12:00 | Plenary: Panel Discussion with Open Interaction
“Production, Value Chain, and Trade Growth”
Location: Main Venue, Conference Palace, Damascus, Syria
Logistics, Value Chains, Productions Sectors, Trade, and Domestic and International Market Access - Challenges, Opportunities, Priorities, and Recommendations
This plenary session builds directly on findings of more than 20 private–private local and sectoral dialogue workshops conducted between January and February 2026. In these workshops, participants identified logistics deficits, value chain fragmentation, customs and border constraints, trade financing gaps, and weak market access as priority cross-cutting barriers. These issues affect agriculture, industry, and trade across regions.
The session brings together senior policymakers and private-sector leaders to jointly examine these constraints and translate private-sector evidence into actionable policy recommendations. The focus is on production, value chains, logistics, trade facilitation, and market access. The session aims to identify challenges, opportunities, priorities, and agreed reform directions to position the private sector as a central driver of recovery, job creation, and growth. Moderator: TBC Panellists: Ministry of Economy and Industry, Borders and Customs Commission, Ministry of Trasport, Chamber of Commerce, and Chamber of Industry (TBC)
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| Networking Break | ||
Side Events The 2026 PSD Forum will have in-person side events, with the potential for virtual participation. These events will take place alongside the conference. About 16 side events will run in rounds of four, each moving in parallel. Diverse organisers and hosts from the public, private, and international development partners will lead them. The side events will be organised when the PSD is not in plenary session. The side events aim to enrich discussions at the PSD, provide dedicated opportunities for exchanging views, and expand networking opportunities on specific private-sector and economic-related matters. Approved side events will be posted on the PSD landing page in advance of the Conference. | ||
12:30 – 13:30 |
“Reconnecting Markets and Supply Chains”
Export and Trade Opportunities with Syria Location: Conference Palace Hosted by: Ministry of Economy, Export Promotion Com. This side event will examine prospects for revitalising Syria’s exports and rebuilding trade links with regional and international markets. Syrian business leaders will highlight concrete export‑ready products and value chains, while trade experts and logistics providers discuss standards, trade agreements, market access, and connectivity challenges. The discussion will identify priority actions in customs, quality infrastructure, logistics, and trade promotion to help Syrian firms re‑enter markets and diversify their customer base.
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“Unlocking Sustainable Tourism for Growth and Jobs”
Tourism Sector Recovery and Investment Location: Conference Palace
This side event will explore pathways to revive Syria’s tourism sector as a source of jobs, MSME growth, and local economic development. Discussions will focus on regulatory frameworks, investment conditions, destination readiness, skills, and responsible tourism models. The session will highlight how investment, public‑private partnerships, and targeted international support can enable a gradual, sustainable reopening of the tourism sector aligned with national recovery priorities. |
“Youth at the Centre”
Harnessing Young Talent for Syria’s Private Sector Location: Conference Palace Hosted by: Ministry of Sport and Youth, UNDP
This side event will highlight how Syria’s young women and men can become a driving force for private sector recovery and innovation. It will explore pathways from learning to earning, including skills development, entrepreneurship, start‑ups, and youth employment in established firms, as well as the specific barriers young people face in accessing decent work and finance. The discussion will promote practical commitments from the government, the private sector, and development partners to expand youth‑friendly policies, programmes, and partnerships that unlock the full potential of Syria’s next generation.
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“Investing in Syria”
Priority Sectors for Investment Location: Conference Palace Hosted by: Syrian Investment Authority, UNDP This side event will showcase Syria’s most promising sectors for domestic and foreign investment during the early recovery period, including agribusiness, manufacturing, renewable energy, construction, and services. Policy makers will present the emerging national vision and incentives for these sectors. Private investors and financiers will share their perspectives on risk, returns, and needed actions to attract large-scale capital. The session will highlight pipelines of potential projects and reforms to accelerate job creation and inclusive growth. | |
Break – Networking
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14:00 – 15:00 |
Plenary: Panel Discussion with Open Interaction “Building Skills, Technical Knowledge, and Innovation for Jobs and Social Impact”
Location: Main Venue, Conference Palace, Damascus, Syria
Know-how, Skills, Jobs, and Innovation - Challenges, Opportunities, Priorities, and Recommendations
This plenary session builds on findings from local and sectoral private-private dialogues. It brings together senior policymakers and private sector leaders to jointly examine skills, jobs, and innovation challenges. The session aims to translate private sector evidence into public-private recommendations. It focuses on technical know-how, workforce skills, productive employment, and innovation systems. The session identifies challenges, priorities, and directions to position skills and innovation at the centre of a private-sector-led recovery and job creation.
Moderator: TBC Panellists: Ministry of Economy, Ministry of Higher Education, Ministry of Social affairs and Labour, Ministry of Youth, Ministry of Telecommunication, NGOs, CSOs, Private Sector Representatives (TBC) | |
15:30 – 17:00 |
Plenary: High-Level Panel Discussion
“Charting Economic Vision, Governance, and the roadmap to achieve”
Location: Main Venue, Conference Palace, Damascus, Syria
Economic Vision, Governance Model, and Roadmap - Challenges, Opportunities, Priorities, and Recommendations
This plenary session brings together senior public decision-makers, private-sector leaders, and key stakeholders to jointly reflect on the type of economy Syria seeks to build, the governance model required to support it, and the roadmap for implementation during the post-crisis recovery phase. The session aims to validate and deepen the analysis emerging from local and sectoral dialogues, and to agree on shared priorities and actionable recommendations that will inform the PSD8 policy outputs and subsequent engagement with international development partners. Moderator: TBC Panellists: Ministry of Economy, General Secretariate, Economic council, Planning and Statistical Commission, Economists, and Private Sector Representatives (TBC) | |
Plenary: Public–Private Cooperation
Convergence Areas, Opportunities, Public–Private Cooperation Roadmap for Private Sector Engagement
Closing Day Two and Next Steps | ||
DAY 3: Wednesday 03 June 2026 | Multi-stakeholder Engagement
10:00 – 10:15 | Welcoming Remarks and Opening Day Three Location: Main Venue, Conference Palace, Damascus, Syria Speakers:(TBC)
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10:15 – 11:30 | Plenary: Panel Discussion with Open Interaction
“The Role of International Development Partners in Supporting Syrian Private Sector”
Location: Main Venue, Conference Palace, Damascus, Syria
Direct connection Syrian Private Sector – International Partners
This session will invite donor representatives and international development partners to share their views, expertise, and intentions on how to better support private sector recovery and development in Syria. They will also reflect on challenges, solutions, and best practices. The discussion will aim to highlight the role of International Development Partners in Supporting Syrian Private Sector and ultimately supporting sustainable transition pathways toward development and growth in Syria.
Moderator: TBC Panellists: Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Japan, EU, Italy, Germany, Sweden, Saudi Arabia, Qatar (TBC) | ||
| Break – Networking | |||
Side Events The 2026 PSD Forum will have in-person side events, with the potential for virtual participation. These events will take place alongside the conference. About 16 side events will run in rounds of four, each moving in parallel. Diverse organisers and hosts from the public, private, and international development partners will lead them. The side events will be organised when the PSD is not in plenary session. The side events aim to enrich discussions at the PSD, provide dedicated opportunities for exchanging views, and expand networking opportunities on specific private-sector and economic-related matters. Approved side events will be posted on the PSD landing page in advance of the Conference.
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12:00 – 13:00 |
“Strengthening Cross-border Trade between Syria and Jordan”
Regional Trade Integration: Syria – Jordan Location: Conference Palace
This side event will examine opportunities and challenges for strengthening regional trade flows and economic integration, particularly between Syria and Jordan. It aims to advance a regional dialogue on private sector engagement as a driver of economic recovery, resilience, and regional cooperation. Building on emerging evidence and policy discussions, the session will identify practical steps to facilitate cross-border trade and investment. It will also seek to rebuild regional value chains supporting exports, MSMEs, and cross-border business networks. |
“Investment - From Interest to Action”
New Investment Law and Modernized Investment Services in Syria Location: Conference Palace Hosted by: Syrian Investment Authority, UNDP This event will present the evolving investment entry regime in Syria under the new Investment Law No. 114. It will focus on updated legal provisions, regulations, and procedures, as well as the creation of investor-friendly services. Policymakers, investors, and technical assistance providers will discuss streamlining approvals and aftercare in line with Law No. 114, directly addressing investor needs. The session will also examine investment protection under the law. This includes guarantees, investor rights, dispute-resolution mechanisms, and frameworks for investor facilitation services that promote responsible, sustainable investments that support local jobs, skills, and value addition.
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“Reconnecting Financial Flows”
Banking Intermediation with Syria Location: Conference Palace Hosted by: EU This side event will focus on restoring safe, transparent, and sustainable banking links between Syria and the regional and global financial systems. Participants will examine key regulatory, risk, and technical barriers impeding correspondent banking, trade finance, remittances, and investment transactions. The discussion aims to identify practical solutions, such as enhanced compliance frameworks, guarantee schemes, and specialised intermediaries. These measures can support legitimate economic activity and private sector recovery while also managing residual risks.
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“Partnering for Growth”
B2B Opportunities with Syrian Enterprises Location: Conference Palace Hosted by: Ministry of Economy and Industry, Export Promotion, Business Council
This highly practical side event will connect Syrian companies with regional and international firms interested in sourcing, subcontracting, franchising, or joint ventures. After a brief overview of priority sectors and partnership models, the session will discuss unlocking tangible B2B deals, building trust, and seeding long-term commercial alliances. These alliances will support technology transfer, market access, and investment. | ||
| Break – Networking | |||
13:30 – 15:00 |
“Rebuilding Investor Confidence and Unlocking Productive Capital Flows”
Foreign Investment as an Opportunity Location: Conference Palace
This side event will examine how foreign investment can complement and reinforce the role of the Syrian private sector and domestic investors. Through strategic partnerships, technology transfer, and access to regional and international markets, this side event will examine how these collaborations can be fostered. Creating enabling conditions for responsible, aligned, and demand-driven investment will be a key discussion point, addressing regulatory clarity, institutional coordination, risk-mitigation mechanisms, partnership models that support local value chains, and approaches to ensure foreign investment contributes to productivity, employment, and competitiveness, with emphasis on strengthening national ownership of the recovery process. |
“Establishing Collaboration Among Private Sector, IFIs, and Syrian Returnees”
From Return to Recovery: Private Sector Engagement with Returnees Location: Conference Palace
This side event will explore how private sector engagement can support the economic reintegration of Syrian returnees. It will focus on employment, entrepreneurship, and access to finance. The event will bring together private firms, international financial institutions, and development actors to discuss skills recognition, labour market integration, SME creation, and investment opportunities linked to return. The session will identify collaboration models that align with business needs and deliver durable solutions for returnees. | |
“De‑Risking Investment”
Innovative Financing Solutions for Syria’s Private Sector Location: Conference Palace Hosted by: UNCDF – UNDP
This IFC‑led side event will explore how innovative financing instruments and de‑risking solutions can unlock private investment in Syria’s high‑potential sectors. The session will cover tools such as blended finance, guarantees, risk‑sharing facilities, and upstream project preparation support and will discuss how these can be tailored to Syria’s current risk profile. It will bring together investors, banks, and policymakers to identify a pipeline of bankable opportunities and the reforms and partnerships needed to move them from concept to financial close. |
“Strengthening Institutional Business‑to‑Business Cooperation”
Business Councils and Trade Representation Location: Conference Palace
This side event will focus on the role of business councils and representative bodies in facilitating structured B2B engagement, trade promotion, and investment partnerships. It will examine how councils can support matchmaking, market intelligence, dispute resolution, and dialogue with governments. The session aims to strengthen institutional mechanisms that enable sustained private-sector cooperation beyond one-off deals. | ||
Break – Networking | |||
Final Sessions, Announcements, and Overall Outcomes
Back to Plenary | |||
15:00 – 15:30 |
Afternoon Opening Remarks
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15:30 – 16:30 |
Plenary: High-Level Panel Discussion
“Economic Vision for the Future of Syria”
Location: Main Venue, Conference Palace, Damascus, Syria
Challenges, Objectives, Priorities, and Reflections from the PS-Dialogue - Inputs from Excellencies and High-level Speakers This highest‑level plenary will invite Excellencies and high‑level speakers to articulate a shared economic vision for Syria’s future, informed by the evidence and outcomes of the Private Sector Dialogue. It will reflect on the country’s core macro‑economic and structural challenges, distil the key objectives and priorities emerging from Syrian businesses across regions and the diaspora, and situate them within the broader transition and reform agenda. The discussion will aim to signal clear political commitment, endorse core principles for private sector–led, inclusive growth, and provide strategic direction to guide the work of all follow-up processes. Moderator: Omar Aziz Hallaj Panellists: Minister of Economy and Industry, Minister of Finance, Governor of the Central Bank, UNRC, and International and Donor Representation (TBC)
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16:30 – 16:45 |
High-Level Announcements and Commitments
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16:45 – 17:00 |
Closing Remarks
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17:00 – 18:00 Networking Reception
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