Reconstruction
Construction & building materials
Cement, steel, finishing materials and prefabricated systems for large-scale housing rebuilds.
Country Profile — Arab-America International Expo 2027
Profile content in preparationSyrian Arab Republic
A rebuilding market with deep craft traditions.
One of the oldest continuously inhabited civilizations on earth, with a long manufacturing tradition and an enormous long-term reconstruction agenda.
Country at a glance
- GDP
- Not reliably reported
- Population
- ≈ 23 million
- Currency
- Syrian Pound (SYP)
- Capital
- Damascus
- Economic growth
- Not reliably reported
Statistics year: Latest verified estimates predate 2024
Syrian national accounts have not been reliably published for several years. No GDP or growth figures are presented here because verified current data is unavailable; only structural and sectoral information is shown.
Overview
Heritage industries and a long rebuilding horizon
Syria's economy was historically built on agriculture, textiles, food processing, soap and craft manufacturing — sectors with centuries of accumulated expertise.
Reconstruction needs span housing, power, water, healthcare and transport, representing one of the largest long-term rebuilding agendas in the region.
A large Syrian diaspora in the United States and Canada maintains commercial ties and is expected to play a central role in future investment.
- Capital
- Damascus
- Population
- ~23 million
- Language
- Arabic
- Currency
- Syrian Pound (SYP)
- Historic industries
- Textiles, food processing, soap, glass, furniture
- Time zone
- GMT +3
Economy
Agriculture, light industry and rebuilding
Syria's productive base centres on farming and light manufacturing, with reconstruction the defining economic activity of the coming decades.
0%
Arable land share
Among the highest in the Arab world
$0B+
Reconstruction estimate
Long-term international estimates
0%
Population under 25
A very young workforce
0+
Historic export markets
Countries reached by Syrian goods
Reconstruction & constructionHousing, utilities, public buildings
Agriculture & food processingWheat, olives, cotton, fruit
Textiles & apparelA centuries-old industry
Energy & powerGeneration and grid restoration
PharmaceuticalsA historically strong domestic sector
Handicrafts & furnitureDamascene craft traditions
Priority sectors
Sectors with long-term potential
Areas where Syrian producers and diaspora investors expect international engagement as conditions allow.
Food
Agriculture & irrigation
Restoring wheat, cotton, olive and fruit production with modern irrigation and machinery.
Export
Food processing
Olive oil, dried fruit, confectionery and preserves with established export recipes and brands.
Heritage industry
Textiles & apparel
Cotton spinning, weaving and garment manufacturing with a deep skilled labour base.
Health
Pharmaceuticals
A domestic generics industry that historically supplied much of the national market.
Utilities
Power & water
Generation, transmission and municipal water restoration across major cities.
Recovery
Rebuilding a productive economy
Recovery planning prioritises housing, essential services, agriculture and the restoration of light industry and export capacity.
- 2011
Conflict begins
Economic output and industrial capacity contract sharply.
- 2020
Diaspora engagement
Syrian communities abroad expand humanitarian and commercial support networks.
- 2025
Reconstruction planning
Renewed international focus on housing, utilities and agricultural recovery.
- 2035
Target horizon
Restored industrial and agricultural output with re-established export markets.
Major development projects
Reconstruction priorities
The categories of work that will define Syrian procurement for decades.
Urban housing rebuilds
Large-scale residential reconstruction in Aleppo, Homs, Damascus suburbs and other cities.
Power generation restoration
Rebuilding generating capacity and transmission networks nationwide.
Water & sanitation
Municipal treatment plants and distribution networks serving major population centres.
Agricultural revival
Irrigation rehabilitation, seed supply and mechanization across the northeast and Orontes basin.
US – Syria trade
Historic trade routes, diaspora channels
Syrian goods have historically reached North America through diaspora importers, particularly in specialty foods, textiles and handicrafts.
Top exports to the world
Olive oil & agricultural goods
Textiles & apparel
Spices, dried fruit & confectionery
Handicrafts & furniture
Top imports
Food & agricultural commodities
Machinery & equipment
Building materials
Pharmaceuticals & medical supplies
Leading products to the United States
- Olive oil
- Spices and dried fruit
- Textiles
- Handicrafts
Leading products from the United States
- Agricultural commodities
- Medical supplies
- Machinery
- Construction equipment
- An active Syrian-American business community across food, retail and manufacturing
- Deep craft and light-manufacturing skills that survive in family enterprises
- One of the largest long-term reconstruction markets in the region
Bilateral goods trade — 2024
Trade with the United States
Verified full-year bilateral merchandise trade between Syria and the United States, reported from Syria's perspective.
Latest verified data available
Total U.S. goods trade
$35.0M
2024
Exports to the United States
$15.0M
2024
Imports from the United States
$20.0M
2024
Trade balance
$5.0M
Deficit for Syria
2024
Exports vs. imports — 2024
Syria exports to the United States$15.0M
Syria imports from the United States$20.0M
Exports to the US Imports from the US
Recorded goods trade between Syria and the United States is minimal, constrained by sanctions and years of conflict. Flows are dominated by humanitarian, food and medical categories rather than commercial trade.
Scope of these figures
Latest verified data available; figures are very small and affected by sanctions and conflict-related reporting gaps. These figures represent merchandise trade only and do not include services.
Data source
- U.S. Census Bureau, Foreign Trade Division — country trade data (full year 2024)
- UN Comtrade Database
Statistical year: 2024
Leading exports to the United States
- Spices and agricultural products
- Antiques and handicrafts
- Olive oil and prepared foods
Leading imports from the United States
- Humanitarian and food aid goods
- Medical supplies
- Machinery parts
Culture & tourism
One of the world's oldest cultural landscapes
Damascus, Aleppo and Palmyra sit among the most significant heritage sites on earth.
Damascus
Old City of Damascus
A UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities.
Aleppo
Aleppo Citadel & Souq
A monumental medieval fortress above a historic trading quarter.
Homs
Krak des Chevaliers
The best-preserved Crusader castle in the world.
Why invest
Why the Syrian pavilion matters
A meeting point for diaspora enterprise, heritage producers and future reconstruction partners.
01
Diaspora capital
Syrian-American entrepreneurs are already active investors in food, retail and manufacturing.
02
Skilled trades
Textile, furniture, glass and food-processing expertise passed through generations.
03
Agricultural base
Some of the most fertile land in the Levant, with established export crops.
04
Long-horizon demand
Reconstruction will drive materials, equipment and services demand for decades.
At the Expo
Syria at AAIX 2027
The Syria pavilion presents heritage producers, diaspora enterprises and future reconstruction opportunities.
- Specialty food and olive oil producer showcases
- Textile and handicraft buyer meetings
- Syrian-American business network sessions
- Reconstruction supply-chain briefings
World heritage
UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Syria
Sites inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, a core part of the country's cultural and tourism offer.
Ancient City of Damascus
One of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world.
Ancient City of Bosra
A Roman provincial capital with a black basalt theatre.
Site of Palmyra
A caravan oasis city that linked Rome to Persia and India.
Ancient City of Aleppo
A citadel, souks and caravanserais at a crossroads of trade.
Crac des Chevaliers and Qal'at Salah El-Din
The finest surviving Crusader castles.
Ancient Villages of Northern Syria
The 'Dead Cities' of late antiquity.
Business opportunities
Opportunities for Arab and American companies
How companies from different markets can engage with Syria through the Expo.
For American companies
Source heritage foods and textiles through diaspora importers, and prepare for future reconstruction supply.
For Arab companies
Agricultural, food-processing and building-materials investment as conditions allow.
For international investors
Long-horizon reconstruction of housing, power and water infrastructure.
Represent Syria at Arab-America International Expo 2027
Present your country's economy, industries, products, investment opportunities, tourism destinations and culture to the American and North American markets.
Reserve space in the Syrian pavilion, or register as an American buyer to meet Syrian producers and diaspora enterprises.
Sources & data
- Syrian Central Bureau of Statistics
- UN ESCWA reconstruction assessments
- World Bank & IMF country data
- U.S. Census Bureau / USTR trade statistics
- UN Comtrade
Last updated: August 2026